Top Things to do in Achill Island
The 10 Best Things to Do in Achill Island, Ireland
Discover the best top things to do in Achill Island, Ireland including Keem Bay, Keel Beach, Deserted Village, The Achill Experience, Dugort beach, Lavelle's Golden Strand Caravan & Camping Park, Woodland Faerie Trail, McLoughlins Bar, Achill Secret Garden, Sli Grainne Mhaol.
Restaurants in Achill Island
1. Keem Bay
Overall Ratings
5 based on 409 reviews
Reviewed By Hensey - Co.Meath
Keep bay is a beautiful beach set in a cove on the outermost reach of Achill Island. Quite often dolphin & seal can be seen near to the beach. Summer or winter it's a beautiful place to visit. Safe swimming & with spring water trickling down from the Mountains the children have a ball. Not to be missed.
2. Keel Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By Piotr G - Gdansk, Poland
One of the best Beaches I've seen. The coast is so wide and flat, that after the wave comes back you can see the sky in the sand like in the mirror. Sourounded by cliffs, Mountains, green fields and rocks. Amazing! And on spring you can meet horse riders running on the beach.
I also heard opinions from surfers that it has the best waves in Ireland
3. Deserted Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By aitutaki1 - West Midlands, United Kingdom
I found this a very emotional experience, walking in the ruins and tracks of a community long gone, but not forgotten. Your mind takes you on a flight of fancy, as to where and what became of them, and I have found myself being inspired by the time spent here. May they all rest in peace.
4. The Achill Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
The Achill Experience contains an Aquarium, an exhibition on Island life, a re-built deserted village boley house complete with artifacts of the era, an art exhibition and digital tour guides that will allow the visitor tour the parish at their own pace. It is a great all weather facility, ideal for people of all ages, families and school groups. There is also an internet cafe and a shop.
Reviewed By live1052
The aquarium is very good. The information boards were a bit scattered so difficult to follow but the information was there. Something about the local flora and fauna would be nice too.
5. Dugort beach
Overall Ratings
5 based on 31 reviews
6. Lavelle's Golden Strand Caravan & Camping Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Camping. Beach setting. Pets allowed.
Reviewed By joan1985 - Kerry
Having stayed at this site for the August bank holiday with our dog I feel I have to give it an excellent rating. We were very well looked after by Joe as others have said here.....the site enjoys a fabulous beachside location nestled under a mountain.
I found the facilities met our needs very well and we had a very relaxing time here........Before bookingI had checked out the other site on the island but I definitely made the right choice for us in going to Lavelles.....it is quieter with less fuss and less crowds........if you wish to be amoung the crowds Keel is just a 15min drive away.......if you would like a hassle free, friendly beach side campsite with an excellent welcome this is the one for you..... We will definitely stay here again.
7. Woodland Faerie Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Visit the beautiful Woodland Faerie Trail at The Valley House, Achill Island. This stunning woodland walk is fun for big kids and little kids, with Irish folk tales, faerie villages, faerie rings, leprechauns and much more. Afterwards read all about the fascinating story of "The Yellow Lady and the Achill Outrage" in The Valley House courtyard. Enjoy great food and drink at The Valley House Bar - serving craft beers, a selection of wines as well as tea/coffee and snacks. Play a game of Pitch & Putt on our 9-hole course and browse The Yellow Lady Design Centre for a unique selection of gifts and Mayo arts and crafts.
Reviewed By NorthsideCrew - Dublin, Ireland
You don't have to have kids with you to enjoy this little trail, although with kids it's even more magical. Great trail, very creative and beautiful and yes, magical. There I said it again. The details are amazing and no matter what age, it is enchanting.
8. McLoughlins Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By speckledjim - Leeds, United Kingdom
I find the review by Donal M very strange indeed as this was not an experience we had and we visited this establishment on a number of occasions. Everyone was very welcoming from the staff to the regulars. They have traditional music on a Thursday night so I would definitely recommend visiting then. There's a pool table in the lounge and a couple of TVs too if you fancy the sport...
9. Achill Secret Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Chris O - Shanahoe
Visited here during the summer. We were staying in Achill Sound. We arrived at the gate, drove down the driveway and arrived at a cottage. There were no signs telling us where to go, no one came out to meet us and frankly we felt like we were trespassing. We knew the entrance fee was 8.00 each and didn't fancy dropping €16.00 after the lukewarm start. We hung around for ten minutes and headed off.
10. Sli Grainne Mhaol
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By annaheussaff - Dublin, Ireland
Starting from Patten's friendly pub about five kms south of Gob an Choire*/Achill Sound, this walk provides a variety of stunning views as well as a close-up look at some of the island's history, on a route around Doirín/Derreen Hill in the southern part of Achill. It takes up to three hours, including time to gaze at those views, and requires reasonable fitness as well as good walking boots/shoes.
The path is a track through the heather in places and the markings are very clear The views are eastwards first towards Corrán/Corraun Hill and out towards Cruach Phádraig/Croagh Patrick and Maol Réidh/Mweelrea Mountains, and Grainne Mhaol's castle at Cill Damhnait/Kildavnet nearby; then there's a view of the deserted villages of Ailt, where 79 families were evicted in favour of grazing animals in the late 1850s; up the slope to the gap and a sudden dazzling view of the ocean (Mediterranean blue on Easter Monday afternoon); small burial cairns at our feet and two wooden crosses on the gap to mark the Coffin Path taken by funerals heading over the hill to Kildavnet church; then we scrambled up a short slope to a fantastic view of Cliara/Clare Island, Inis Toirc/Inishturk, Inis Bó Finne/Inishboffin and a Panorama of Mountains.
Then down the slope and up again to round the hill on the western side, with great views of Cnoc Mór/Knockmore and off to Cruachán/Croaghan and Achill Head; and on around to look down at the clustered houses of Aisléim/Ashleam and Bléan Ascaill/Bleanaskil and views back eastwards to the Sound.
And finally a very pleasant rest and cuppa or sup sitting outside Patten's. Highly recommended and great to see such waymarked routes being provided - and appreciated!
* I've included the original placenames in Irish as well as the English versions. In many cases, both appear on Discovery (Ordnance Survey) and other maps.
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