Two of us want to visit Ireland next spring/summer and are considering renting a holiday cottage on Achill Island. We're told by the owner it's in walking distance to the village of Keel and several blue flag beaches. Can anyone say if this location would be good for first timers to Ireland who'll want to also do some driving daytrips? Sights to see in this region?
2
sadbloke
Achill Island is a wonderful place to base yourself - Connemara and County Sligo are within easy daytripping distance, with Mayo towns Westport, Ballina etc even closer. Would it be a good place to base yourself? Well, that depends on what your requirements are - Achill and most of Mayo are very rural areas, and therefore quiet.
3
sadge
Agree with both the responses. Achill itself can be enjoyed nicely in two or three days - a couple of nice hikes, bike ride the side roads, hang out on the Atlantic Drive and just go WOW! Westport is about an hour away and would be one good daytrip, Connemara begins half an hour from Wesport and frankly I could spend a week or ten days just roaming around there. I supposed you could reach up and do a day trip to Sligo. In the end there'd be more driving than enjoying would be my guess, but a few days hanging out at Achill is never a bad idea.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner
trusted partner