Achill Island Itineraries
Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Achill Island, planned step by step.
Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Achill Island. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.
A Half-Day on Achill's West End
The essential west-end run: Keel Beach, the Deserted Village under Slievemore, and out to Keem Bay, with lunch in Keel or Dooagh.
- 1Morning·1 hour
Keel Beach and the Cathedral Cliffs of Minaun
Start at Keel Beach, the island's watersports hub, with the columned Cathedral Cliffs of Minaun rising behind it. A good stretch of sand for a morning walk before the day gets busy.
View Keel Beach (Trawmore / Keel Sandybanks) - 2Late morning·1 to 1.5 hours
The Deserted Village, Slievemore
Drive to the Deserted Village and walk the line of around 80 abandoned famine-era stone houses under Slievemore's southern slope. Freely accessible, no ticket needed.
View The Deserted Village, Slievemore - 3Lunch·1 hour
Lunch in Dooagh
Head back toward Dooagh for lunch at Gielty's Clew Bay, a big session pub, restaurant and coffee shop that claims to be the most westerly pub in Ireland.
View Gielty's Clew Bay Bar & Restaurant - 4Afternoon·1.5 to 2 hours
Keem Bay
Finish at Keem Bay, the blue flag beach at the island's far western tip, framed by Croaghaun. Arrive with time to spare in summer; the car park is small.
View Keem Bay
A Full Day Around Achill
A complete island day: the Atlantic Drive, the west end (Keel, Keem Bay, the Deserted Village), and dinner back at Achill Sound or Keel.
- 1Morning·2 to 3 hours
The Atlantic Drive
From Achill Sound, take the single-track Atlantic Drive out past Cloughmore, Ashleam and Dooega, stopping at the viewpoints along the way. Go slowly; it is a passing-places road.
View The Atlantic Drive - 2Lunch·1 hour
Lunch in Keel
Arrive into Keel for lunch. The Amethyst Bar or Achill Cliff House Hotel's restaurant both work well, and Keel is also the base for the island's surf schools if you want to add a lesson to the day.
View The Amethyst Bar - 3Early afternoon·1.5 hours
Keem Bay
Drive on to Keem Bay, the island's western tip, for a swim or a walk on the sand beneath Croaghaun.
View Keem Bay - 4Late afternoon·1 hour
The Deserted Village, Slievemore
On the way back, stop at the Deserted Village under Slievemore for the famine history and the view up the mountain.
View The Deserted Village, Slievemore - 5Evening·1.5 hours
Dinner back at Achill Sound
Finish with dinner at Alice's Harbour Bar at the Achill Island Hotel, right by the bridge, a handy last stop before heading back to the mainland.
View Alice's Harbour Bar at Ostan Oilean Acla
A Wet-Weather Day on Achill
When the Atlantic closes in, Achill still has plenty indoors: a distillery tour, a sea salt tasting, and a proper pub lunch.
- 1Morning·1 hour
Achill Island Distillery tour
Start with a guided grain-to-glass tour at Achill Island Distillery near Bunnacurry, Ireland's first island distillery, finishing with tastings at the Barley Field Bar.
View Achill Island Distillery Tour - 2Midday·30 to 45 minutes
Achill Island Sea Salt
A short drive away, Achill Island Sea Salt's Bunnacurry facility offers a look at how the salt is hand-harvested, plus a shop for gifts to take home.
- 3Lunch·1.5 hours
Lunch at Gielty's
Settle in at Gielty's Clew Bay in Dooagh for a proper pub lunch while the weather does its thing outside.
View Gielty's Clew Bay Bar & Restaurant
Ready to plan your visit?
Check the weather forecast before you head out.