Achill Island
Overview
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
is the largest island off the coast of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and is situated off the west coast. It has a population of 2,700. Its area is 148 km² (57.1 sq mi). Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge
Michael Davitt Bridge
The Michael Davitt Bridge is a swing bridge in County Mayo, Ireland that crosses from the Corraun Peninsula to Achill Island.-History:It is named for Michael Davitt, 19th Century Irish social campaigner, Fenian, and founder of the National Land League, who officially opened it in 1887.In 1947, the...
, between the villages of Gob an Choire (Achill Sound
Achill Sound
Achill Sound is a village in County Mayo, in Ireland. Gob an Choire is located on the east side of Achill Island, the first settlement on the island after crossing the Michael Davitt Bridge, a swing bridge that joins Achill Island to Corraun Peninsula on the mainland...
) and Poll Raithní (Polranny
Polranny
Polranny is a village in County Mayo in the province of Connacht in the Republic of Ireland. The Michael Davitt Bridge connects Polranny on the mainland to Achill Island....
). A bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
was first completed here in 1887, and replaced by the current structure in 1949. Other centres of population include the villages of Keel, Dooagh
Dooagh
Dooagh is a village located on Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland. It is best known for the nearby Keem Bay, a Blue Flag beach.-Facilities:...
, Dumha Éige (Dooega
Dooega
Dooega, is a village in Achill Island on the south west of the Island off the coast of County Mayo. It is in the Gaeltacht and is the home of Colaiste Acla It once had a National School.The scenic area is part of the Achill Atlantic Drive. There is fabulous view all over the village and beatiful...
) and Dugort.
