Islands & Beaches

Achill Island

Lashed by the ocean, carved by the wind and swept by the rain, Achill Island, off Mayo is one of Ireland’s most spectacular and beautiful places. From hillwalking and outdoor activities to fishing and angling, from golf, painting or horse-riding to surfing, windsurfing or scuba diving, your visit to Achill can be as active as you like. Or just relax with a coffee or a pint and a view of Achill’s spectacular mountains, cliffs and five Blue Flag beaches. This area is steeped in history and, despite its remote location, has produced or attracted a rich array of famous people and fascinating characters. The area hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Situated at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way, Achill Island typifies the raw wilderness of the Atlantic coastline. Soaring cliffs, windswept beaches, rich heritage and deserted boglands make Achill Island the perfect antidote to urban life. Achill is the fresh air playground of the Mayo coast; with a variety of adventure activities for you to get acquainted with while you’re here. And when you’ve had enough adrenalin for one day, absorb the work of our flourishing arts community, or get cosy in one of our local pubs … who knows, you might even join in a trad session!
The Atlantic Drive comprises over 40km of breathtaking coastal scenery that is ideal for touring by car, and even better by bicycle!
Achill’s stunning landscape and rich history offer visitors a wide range of scenic attractions, beauty spots and places of interest. Achill always seems to have more places still to see on your next visit.

Achill Tourism can provide information and assistance with planning your visit to Achill Island and the Currane Peninsula. For more information on Achill Island and events happening, please see Achill Island Tourism www.achilltourism.com

Clare Island

Situated at the entrance to Clew Bay, Clare Island is the largest of the Mayo offshore islands. Located off the West Coast, Clare Island is 3.5 miles from the mainland and is also the largest of the possible 365 islands in Clew Bay – it is 5 miles long and 3 miles wide.

With its varied landscape of spectacular cliffs and inland mountain terrain, Clare Island is an ideal destination near Westport for hill-walkers and nature lovers who will enjoy exploring large colonies of sea birds, alpine flora and neolithic and bronze-age archaeology. Boasting a rich topography of hills, bogs and woodland on the inner parts of the island, it is an ideal holiday destination for hill-walking, cycling and sight-seeing. The island is full of amazing scenery and visitors can explore it on foot, by bike (bike hire nearby) or by taxi.

Blue Flag Beaches

Mulranny has 2 beaches safe for swimming and great for walking across the road from Mulranny Park Hotel, on the west end of Mulranny village, a causeway and wooden bridge across Trawoughter Bay lead to Mulranny beach, which has picnic facilities and toilets, as well as a lifeguard during the summer months. Inland from the beach is a rare large saltwater marsh, with typical species such as thrift, sea plantain, salt marsh grass, rushes and sedges, sea pimpernel with glassword and annual seablite further down towards the sea. The marsh also features various shorebirds, including curlew, widgeon, grey plover, godwits, oyster-catchers, dunlins, sand pipers, terns and gulls. There is also a small car park at the beach. To reach the car park, take the first left after the village and continue less than a half a kilometre to the entrance, following the signs. Please see our local Activity Map & Greenway Adventures Brochure to explore the great outdoors.