Blog, Destinations, Europe, Ireland
Best Things to Do on Achill Island, Ireland in a Day
Sep
My coworkers thought I was a little crazy when I told them I was planning to spend 5 nights on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland. They said I could probably do all the things on Achill Island in two days and then move on. But that wasn’t the point. After 11 trips to Ireland, I wanted to slow down on this trip and actually spend time on Achill rather than squeeze it into a quick stop.
As I crossed the bridge to Achill Island, enveloped in fog, I drove to my Airbnb and paused to let a family of sheep cross the road. I knew I’d made the right decision.
For a remote island, there are quite a few ways to spend your time if you like outdoorsy activities, from beach hopping to hiking up sea cliffs, to going on a sea safari in hopes of seeing basking sharks.
In between all of the things to do on Achill, there is time to enjoy a bowl of soup and brown bread while reading a book in a cafe overlooking the sea, soaking in a seaweed bath, and sitting on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world amidst a heat wave!
I spent five nights figuring out what is actually worth doing on Achill, so if you’re squeezing the island into a larger Ireland road trip and don’t have five nights, I’ll show you which experiences I’d prioritize, which beaches are worth stopping at, where I’d eat and drink, and how I’d spend your time if you only have one day on Achill.
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The Best Things to Do on Achill Island
Indulge in a Seaweed Bath
A seaweed bath might sound a little strange, but this is one of those don’t knock it till you’ve tried it spa treatments.
This was my second time doing a seaweed bath in Ireland. The first was at Voya Seaweed Baths in Sligo, and this time was in a small spa behind the owner’s family home.
Her husband hand-picked the seaweed that morning; they washed it and had it soaking in hot water to release the oils, minerals, and vitamins that left my skin feeling silky smooth.
Before the bath, you scrub your body, which, according to the owner, allows the nutrients to penetrate deeper. The seaweed also has little pockets that you can squeeze, and an aloe-like substance pops out. You can rub this on your face!
This was all done in a private room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water in their backyard.
It was such a nice way to spend a rainy morning. I was able to book last minute, but only because her husband harvested extra seaweed that morning. So I recommend booking in advance.
I would make time for this experience.
If not on Achill, somewhere else along this part of the coast.
Go on a Sea Safari
One of my goals for visiting Achill Island, beyond relaxing, was to see basking sharks. I booked with Achill Sea Safari before I even landed in Ireland for my first day on Achill Island.
Well, the weather had other ideas. Thankfully, I had five nights there because the boat trip was pushed back 3 times due to high winds. On the fourth day, the winds died down, the sun came out, and 8 others and I boarded a much smaller-than-expected boat to try and see basking sharks.
Unfortunately, no basking sharks were out that evening, but the ride was a thrill. It was incredibly bumpy; I ended up in the splash zone, but the scenery from the sea was stunning.
I’d do it again, but maybe not after stormy days.
If your body can’t handle rough and bumpy seas, this is not for you. Alternatively, sit above Keem Bay to try to see them.
Kildavnet Castle
The safari launches next to Kildavnet Castle, a 4-story 15th-century tower house that overlooks Achill Sound.
This castle, locally known as Granuaile’s Tower, is really interesting because it was part of the Pirate Queen’s property.
Who is the Pirate Queen? I had no idea before I visited Achill Island. Since then, I’ve watched multiple YouTube videos about her and read the book A Pirate Queen, a historical fiction novel about who she was and her influence in Ireland during her time.
The Pirate Queen, known as Grace O’Malley, was the daughter of the O’Malley clan chieftain who, amidst doing her duties as a woman (being married for an alliance and having children), became one of the most powerful sea captains. She also worked to subvert Queen Elizabeth’s expansion into western Ireland.
She led an incredibly interesting life during a tumultuous time, and it’s fun to learn about strong women in history!
Plus, the castle is in a beautiful spot.
If you’re doing the sea safari, you can see this spot before or after. Alternatively, if you follow the one-day driving itinerary for Achill Island, it’s included.
Taste the Best Sea Salt
Achill Island Sea Salt is some of the best sea salt I’ve ever tasted. They have a shop on the island with a new exhibit about how they make it, and it’s absolutely worth visiting.
When I visited, they were having an opening party for the new exhibit, and they let me sneak in for a quick look, which was so kind.
They don’t just have plain sea salt; they also have a smoky flavor, which is great for BBQ-inspired dishes, and one with seaweed, which I love to put on edamame. You can taste all of the flavors before deciding which to buy.
I bought about 20 jars as gifts for friends and family. They love the seaweed one! My coworker asked me to bring him another jar when I return from my upcoming trip to Ireland.
I also saw them in Dublin Airport before leaving, if you don’t want to carry jars of salt around on your trip!
Support Local Artists
Something I loved about visiting Achill Island is that it kept surprising me. As I drove to a cafe near Dugort Beach for lunch, I noticed a building with Red Fox Press on the side.
Intrigued, I wandered in to find an art and print shop run by two local artists! You’ll find a variety of unique prints that I haven’t seen elsewhere in Ireland. They also have a range of unique pub prints, sketchbooks, and other items.
I bought a Guinness print and a photo viewer for my nieces and nephew.
Another shop to visit is Top Drawer in Keel. Inside you’ll find local art, knitwear, and souvenirs that reflect the beauty of the island.
Both shops are worth popping into and won’t take much time. You may walk out with a unique souvenir you can’t get anywhere else!
Have a Pint in One of Ireland’s Smallest Pubs
I passed by Lynott’s multiple times, seeing signs for Ireland’s smallest pub, before I finally noticed the actual building!
Lynott’s is the coziest pub I’ve been to in Ireland. This stone pub with a green door is tiny inside, but it’s the kind of place where you share a table and stories with strangers. A turf fire burns in the corner, a small bar turns out creamy pints, and there are tables outside to enjoy on a sunny day.
Make sure a visit to Lynott’s is firmly on your Achill Island to-drink list.
The parking lot is small, but there’s also space on the side of the road. Just make sure you pull completely off the road.
Take a Hike
The highlight from my trip to Achill occurred on my final full day on the island. I drove out to Keem Bay with some snacks for a picnic. The plan was to sit above the bay to look for basking sharks.
It was a cold, foggy morning, but I could sense the sun would break through.
It did just as I was finishing up my lunch.
I laced up my hiking boots and hiked the very steep hill to the lookout point for Keem Bay.
It took 30 minutes to reach the top. There is no trail; you follow sheep paths and watch for super boggy areas.
I sat near the lookout point for an hour, enjoying the sun, and hoping to see a shark. Unfortunately, no basking sharks swam in during that time.
You can continue this hike to the Cliffs of Croaghaun, which I ultimately decided not to do because it was too hot.
Instead, I decided to go for a swim.
Relax on One of Achill’s Beautiful Beaches
Keem Beach
Hot and sweaty after sitting in the sun for an hour looking for wildlife. I made my way back down the mountain, changed into my swimsuit, and took a very crisp yet refreshing swim in the sea at Keem Beach.
Keem Beach is regularly voted one of the best beaches in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. The dramatic cliffs surrounding the small cove make it a safe place for a swim on a calm day. The water is a gorgeous turquoise color that you normally associate with the Caribbean.
If you like Irish cinema, this is also where you can see Colm’s cottage from The Banshees of Inisherin.
Its status as one of the most beautiful beaches on Achill and beyond, combined with its movie fame, makes the area very popular with tourists. It’s a must-visit during your time on the island, but please be respectful of locals, drive carefully to the area, and leave no trace.
There are two parking lots, one above the beach and one directly next to it. On a busy day, I recommend parking at the one at the top of the hill and walking down.
There are also public toilets near each parking lot, which is clutch!
If you’re not ready to brave the cold Atlantic, don’t worry. It took my 9 trips to Ireland before I ever went for a swim.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Achill’s beaches!
Keel Beach
Keel is a great beach for a long walk, with 2.5 miles of white sand. I started my last morning with a very long walk on this beach. It was incredibly foggy, which added to the vibe. I love a foggy beach walk! This is also a popular beach for surfing if you want to try it.
Additionally, there are saunas available that you can combine with a sea swim, which is the most rejuvenating experience!
Dugort Beach
Dugort is a beautiful beach below Slievemore Mountain. It’s smaller, so it’s a quicker walk. It’s another Blue Flag beach, so you can swim here if you like. Or, like at Keel, combine a swim with the nearby sauna.
This is also a good beach for sunset. I caught the most stunning sunset on my last night on the island. It was just a few sheep and me enjoying the view. Magical.
There are other beaches on the island, but these are the three that I would prioritize if you’re short on time. I’ll show you how.
How to Spend One Day on Achill Island: Go for a Drive
If you only have one day to spend on Achill Island and want to tick off most of these things, the best way to do so is to take a drive around the island.
Here’s how I would organize the day.
Stop 1: White Cliffs of Ashleam
After crossing the bridge into Achill, head to the southern part of the island, driving to Kildavent Castle and then following the road around to the White Cliffs of Ashleam.
The White Cliffs of Ashleam are gorgeous limestone cliffs that rise 100 feet above the crashing Atlantic below. It was a very windy, cold day when I visited, which proved why it’s called the Wild Atlantic Way.
Stop 2: Minaun Heights
You’ll keep following the road to Dooega, where there are some pubs (they weren’t open when I was there), and then head to Minaun Heights.
It was completely fogged in when I visited, so I can’t personally vouch for the views. If you’re blessed with clear weather, I’d give it a try; otherwise, I’d skip it and spend the time elsewhere.
Stop 3: Doogort
Up next, head to Doogort via the Valley.
Stop at Achill Island Sea Salt on the way to pick up some tasty salt.
Then, you’ll drive past the bog where you may see turf cutting.
Along the way, you’ll pass Golden Strand Beach and then take a break at Dugort Beach.
Visit Red Fox Press and stop for lunch at An Dun Achill. Afterward, take a walk on the beach.
Stop 4: Slievemore Deserted Village
Then, drive to Slievemore Deserted Village. Here you’ll find the remains of 100 stone dwellings that were used from as far back as the 3rd or 4th century until the early 20th century.
In the more “recent” years, they were used as Boley houses that were only occupied in the summer months by farmers who would move their cattle there to graze on the mountainside. Ultimately, the village was abandoned during the Great Famine.
Stop 5: Keel
When you’re done, make your way to Keel, where if you didn’t stop for lunch in Doogort, you can grab a bite at Beehive Crafts and Gifts. If you’d like, you can go for a walk at Keel Beach.
Stop 6: Keem Bay
Saving the best for last, it’s time to make the drive to Keem Bay. The drive itself is quite beautiful, but the road is narrow and windy, so take your time. There aren’t many places to pull out to enjoy the view, so please don’t block the road!
Park at one of the parking areas near the beach. You can hike up to the lookout point or simply sit and take in the view.
Stop 7: Dinner and Drinks
For dinner, stop by the Amethyst Bar on your way back through Keel. Then stop for a pint at Lynott’s before making your way off island.
Where to Eat on Achill Island
I knew that because I was visiting Achill before the summer season, restaurants would have odd opening hours. To plan for this, I cooked a big pot of spaghetti on my first night and ate that a couple of times throughout my five days there. It also helped me save some money.
But I still love eating at new restaurants and sampling the fresh local Irish cuisine, so here are a few places I enjoyed and one I wish was open while I was there!
An Dun Achill: An Dun was my favorite cafe for lunch on Achill. I ate here twice. The service is really friendly, the food is incredibly fresh, and the views are spectacular. They also make a decent matcha latte for being on a remote Irish island!
Beehive Crafts and Coffee: Beehive is a great spot for lunch. I had already eaten when I stopped in, so I got a berry crumble and tea. It was delicious. It’s cafe style, so you order at a counter and then find a seat. There is also a gift shop where you can get some sea salt!
Amethyst Bar: The Amethyst Bar great spot for dinner. When I visited, it wasn’t quite summer yet, so it was only open for two nights while I was there. But I got a really delicious curry, and the service was friendly. I’d go back again!
Ted’s Bar: This large restaurant is open year-round! Ted’s saved me on my last night on Achill when everywhere else was closed! I got the burger, which was good! Though if I could’ve eaten elsewhere, I would have.
Pure Magic Pizza: I really wanted to eat at Pure Magic because my glamping hosts highly recommended it, but they were having a private event the night I tried, and the next night they were closed! If you can, eat here.
Where to Stay on Achill Island
Achill Island has a few hotels, but there are more holiday home rentals. I stayed in two different places during my 5 nights there.
Cozy Apartment
I stayed three nights in this cozy apartment in the back of a family’s home. It was perfect and had everything I needed to cook a few meals and a cozy fire. I also loved that the bed had a heating pad. It was so cozy after being out in the cold all day!
Check rates and availability here.
Nanny Goose Glamping Pods
This was my first time staying in a glamping pod, and Nanny Goose was so cozy. The owners are fantastic, incredibly friendly, and helpful. They were doing construction work on new pods, but since I was out all day, it didn’t bother me, and it was very peaceful when I was there!
One downside is that there is no way to cook fresh food, but there is a microwave and fridge. If you want to cook, this may not be the best option for you.
Otherwise, I would recommend staying here 100%
Check rates and availability here
What to Know Before Visiting Achill Island
Where is Achill Island
Achill Island is part of the Wild Atlantic Way and is located in County Mayo, about a 1-hour drive from Westport.
How to Get to Achill Island
As someone who tries to take public transport when possible in Ireland, I’ve learned that some places are just easier with a car, and Achill Island is one of them.
If renting a car is out of the question, you can take the train or bus to Westport and then take Bus Éireann Route 450 (Louisburgh to Dooagh) to Achill. That portion of the journey takes about an hour, with multiple stops on Achill.
Achill Island is a place that probably isn’t on your itinerary for a first trip to Ireland. It took me 11 visits to the Emerald Isle to finally get there. If you want a quieter, more adventurous side of Ireland than the standard first-trip itinerary, Achill is worth making room for.
After 11 trips to Ireland, I’ve been able to get beyond the typical Ireland itinerary and experience a different side of it. Some of my favorite places aren’t on the standard Ireland itinerary, and I’ve learned how to pair them with some must-see spots.
If that sounds like your kind of trip, I’m working on a unique Ireland travel guide that combines the must-see places with the lesser-known spots that deserve a place on your itinerary. It’s not quite ready yet, but you can join my Ireland email list to be the first to know when it’s available.
In the meantime, you’ll get a solid packing list!
Read More About Ireland Travel Planning
- How to Plan a Trip to Ireland: A Step-by-Step Guide
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- The Only Ireland Packing List You Need for Any Season
- What Not To Do In Ireland: Avoid These Tourist Mistakes in Ireland
- 20 of the Best Places to Visit in Ireland
- How to Spend 7 Days in Ireland without a Rental Car
- How to Spend Four Days in Ireland: The Ultimate Itinerary
- How to Get Around Ireland as a Solo Traveler
- How Much Does a Trip to Ireland Cost? A Realistic Budget
