Achill Island is at the very edge of Europe with waves that roll across the bay from the Atlantic Ocean and crash against the toewering Cliffs of Menawn. Achill Island is the largest island off the irish coast and is linked by a bridge at Achill Sound, after a very scenic drive northwest of Castlebar or Westport. The natural splendour of the Achill's mountains and sea cliffs is legendary.
Achill offers so many settings in such a small place. There's the beautiful whitewashed cottages of Dooagh village, the bog workings of Keel, Pollagh and Doonagh and the ruins of the Deserted village of Slievemore. The ruins of this medieval village nestle beneath the southern slope of Slievemore Mountain and consists of nearly 100 ruined cottages which were abandoned during the Great Famine of 1845.
There is also many histroical sites around the island and along the various trails that can be trekked. There is a signal tower, a remnant of the Napoleonic Wars when it was used as a lookout against iminient French invasion, which can be climbed to access spectacular views. Above Lough Acorrvmore, on the upper slopes of Croaghaun Mountain, is the scattered remains of an RAF Weather Reconnaissance plane that crashed there in thick fog in 1950 killing all 8 crew members. Visitors can aslo trek along the coffin trail which was used to link upper and lower Achill communities, when coffins would be carried across the mountain to be buried in the ancient church and cemetry at Kildavnet.
If you have never been to Achill Island or if you have previously been and would like to re-visit, then why not sign up for MS Ireland's trek of the island which takes place this May Bank Holiday Weekend. Grab a group of your friends and family and come and experience the best of Achill Island, while you trek your away around one of the most scenic places in Ireland. You will also be helping to raise much needed funds for the provision of services to those people in Ireland, and their families, who are living with MS. Just sign up with us and away you go.
For more information on the trek or if you would like to sign up then follow this link.
Alternatively you can send an email to caitrionah@ms-society.ie who will be more than glad to provide you with anything you may need.
Best of Luck and Get Active for MS. We really appreciate your efforts!