Information Achill Island Ireland
If there is nothing to do, you can check out the fifteenth century Kildaunet Castle, a weather beaten piece of architecture and the nearby church of the same name. A look at the graveyard too will provide an immediacy to the history on the island. The castle and neighbouring buildings are at the southern end of the island. If you’re in a car, you can take the Atlantic Drive road, a winding road along the coast. The locals still cut their turf in the traditional fashion, and farmers continue to use the land as they had before modernisation. You may find as you come around to the western side of the island that due to the huge Atlantic ocean, everything is more weather battered and windswept. Ashleam Bay provides a spectacular view, as do the Cliffs of Minaun. Possibly the only place in Ireland that has a pub named simply The Pub (although given the number of pubs in Ireland, you can never be sure), Dooagh Village is composed of thatched and tiled cottages. Beyond it is Keem Strand, a beach protected from the ravages of the sea by the bay. Keel is another hotspot for beachcombers, containing as it does a beach that adheres to EU directives on health and safety. The abandoned village on the slopes of Slievemore is roofless and a stark reminder of depopulation in the time of the Great Famine. A veritable ghost town, you can walk through the houses themselves – a time capsule back to the nineteenth century.
Attractions Achill Island Ireland
Ballintubber Abbey - Claremorris
This 13th century abbey is unique, not only is it the only church in Ireland still in use which was founded by an Irish King, but it is also the one Irish church where for over 781 years Mass has been offered without a break. Its story is graphically told in a video documentary on show at the abbey. Founded in 1216 by the last King of Connaught, Cathal Crovdearg O'Connor, for the Canons Regular of St. Augustine order, the Abbey had large tracts of land in the district until the dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VII. Retreats, pilgrimages and tours are available today. The Celtic Furrow Visitors Centre provides guided tours of the region, tracing 5,000 years of Irish culture.
Céide Fields - Ballina
Ballycastle - 8 miles from Ballins. Beneath the wild boglands of North Mayo lies Ceide Fields, the most extensive stone age monument in the world; field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs of 5,000 years ago. In addition, the wild flora of the bog is of international importance and is bounded by some of the most spectacular rock formations and cliffs in Ireland. The Visitor Centre houses displays and exhibitions in English and Irish.
Croagh Patrick - Westport - Westport
The Pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick is located close to Wesport town. In 441 AD St. Patrick reached the summit of Croagh Patrick and fasted for 40 day. St. Patrick is also noted for banishing the snakes from Ireland. A wonderful experience and challenge on a fine day. Spectacular view of County Mayo. For info on Guided Tours of Croagh Partick
Doon - Archaeological Nature Peninsula - Cong
A designated Area of Scienific Interest, Accredited a National Heritage Area. Doon Promontory Fort, on Lough Carra, with sites from Late Bronze Age, enclosed in a spectacular landscape of mountain, lake and woodland, is one of the largest identified site of its type in Ireland. A self-guided Tour along a woodland trail from our earliest ancestors, through Bronze Age (2,000 B.C.), Iron Age (300 B.C.), Early Christian and Norman Times. A town noted for the filming of the Quiet Man, with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Many connections with the Quiet Man are on show. Also the location of Ashford Castle, a high quality hotel with private golf course.
Kiltimagh Museum - Kiltimagh
In the 1980s the Historical Society acquired the old Goods Store of Kiltimagh Railway Station and turned it into a Museum. Two old Railway Carriages were acquired to commemorate the thousands of our people who had had to emigrate, and these were incorporated into the Museum. Now the Museum houses many artifacts from our past, such as the Land League Banner, buried for safety in a bog for forty years, the instruments of the 19th century town band, items from Kiltimagh Lace School, Railway artifacts and many other items reflecting different aspects of our past.
