Achill Island

Achill Island off County Mayo is Ireland's largest island, connected to the mainland by a short bridge that makes it easily reachable by car despite its remote, wild character. The island combines several distinct landscapes within a compact area: the deserted village at the base of Slievemore mountain, a cluster of roughly 100 abandoned stone cottages last inhabited in the mid-20th century, sits alongside dramatic sea cliffs at Croaghaun, among the highest in Europe, and expansive beaches including the well-known Keem Bay at the island's western tip. A driving loop taking in the deserted village, Keem Bay, and one or two coastal viewpoints covers the island's highlights in a day, while hikers wanting to tackle the Croaghaun cliffs or Slievemore's summit need considerably longer. The abandoned village is freely accessible for walking among the ruins, with interpretive panels explaining the famine-era and later emigration history behind its abandonment. Weather on the island shifts quickly given its Atlantic-facing position, and roads narrow toward the more remote western sections, so a full day is worth allowing for unhurried exploration.