Beaches
Five Blue Flag beaches ring the island — Keem, Keel, Dugort (Golden Strand), Dooega and Silver Strand at Dugort. Turquoise water, white sand, cliffs on every side.
Oileán Acla · Explore Achill
Ireland's largest island,
waiting outside the door.
Between classes and concerts, Achill unfolds — five Blue Flag beaches, sea cliffs over 600 metres tall, a deserted village on Slievemore and pubs where the session never quite ends.
In partnership with
Achill Tourism
Visitor content on this page is drawn from achilltourism.com — the official visitor guide for Achill Island and the Corraun Peninsula.
Feicimid · See & do
Things to see on the island
Walking & hiking
Climb Slievemore (671 m) past the Deserted Village, walk the Minaun Cliffs above Keel, or take the Achill Head trail out to Ireland's most westerly point.
Watersports & outdoors
Surf and kitesurf at Keel, kayak the sea cliffs at Ashleam, dive with Achill Dive Centre, or cycle the Great Western Greenway from Achill Sound to Mulranny.
Heritage & culture
The Deserted Village at Slievemore, Kildavnet Tower (Granuaile's 15th-century keep), the Achill Mission at Dugort and Heinrich Böll's cottage in Dugort.
Wildlife
Dolphins, basking sharks and minke whales pass in summer; seal colonies at Inishbiggle; peregrines, choughs and gannets along the cliffs.
Villages to visit
Keel, Dooagh, Dugort, Achill Sound, Cashel, Dooniver — each with its own pubs, harbours and views. Slow down and take a full day per side of the island.
Timpeall an Oileáin · Getting around
No car? No problem.
TFI Local Link · On-demand
TFI Anseo app
Book on-demand Local Link bus rides on Achill through the free TFI Anseo app — covering the Keel · Dugort · Achill Sound · Mulranny corridor. Book at least an hour in advance and the minibus picks you up from a nearby stop.
Getting here
- By road: N5 from Dublin to Westport, then N59 to Mulranny and R319 across the bridge onto Achill.
- By bus: Bus Éireann route 440 runs Westport ↔ Achill Sound several times daily.
- By air: Ireland West Airport Knock is 90 minutes by car; Shannon and Dublin airports also serve the island by hire car.
Good to know
- ATMs at Achill Sound and Keel
- Petrol stations at Achill Sound and Tonregee
- Mobile coverage variable in the west of the island
- Mass in Irish at Pollagh and Cashel
- Achill Island Health Centre: +353 98 45 175
- Emergencies: 112 or 999
Planning to take a class?
Age limits, grading, instrument hire, check-in and EPV approval — all answered on our dedicated FAQ page.