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Fishing
Every known species of fish existing in Irish waters has been
caught in Clew Bay! Boats can be chartered with ease for angling
and crusing in one of the best locations in Europe. |
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the coarse fishing enthusiasts, there are a miriad of lakes
within driving distance of Westport.
Mayo boasts some of the best salmon and brown trout in Europe
with the River Moy fishery within an hours drive. Both advanced
and less experienced fisherman are accomodated with ghillies,
boats and fly fishing instruction readily available. |
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Blue
Flag Beaches
Achill Island boasts some of the finest beaches in Ireland,
including no fewer than five Blue Flag beaches. The Blue Flag
scheme is an international standard for beaches and marinas
and is assessed on an annual basis. The criteria for qualification
include water quality, environmental education, environmental
management, and safety and services.
In Ireland the Blue Flag scheme is administered by An
Taisce, the national body for heritage and the environment.
Full details
of the Blue Flag beaches standard can also be
found at BlueFlag.org.
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Keem
Bay
Keem Bay is a perfect horseshoe bay containing a popular
Blue Flag beach at the head of a valley between the cliffs of
Benmore to the west and Croaghaun mountain on the east. At the
southern end of the valley, the beach is sheltered to the west
by Moyteoge Head, while at the northwestern end of the valley
the cliffs of Benmore connect with the spectacular mile long
promontory of Achill Head. This spar is the most westerly point
on Achill and tails off with two sea stacks called Gaoí
Saggart and Carrickakin.
Keem is accessible for cars via a clifftop road that was constructed
in the 1960s along the route of an older track. This road also
crosses a local geological boundary, exposing a seam of amethyst
quartz in the cliffside. Amethyst is a semiprecious stone with
a magnificent purple to voilet coloration, said in folklore
to have a number of properties including as a love charm, as
protection against thieves and drunkeness, and as an aide to
sleep. For treasure seekers hunting for amethyst on Achill,
the best time to search is immediately after heavy rainfall.
Good luck! |
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Bay was traditionally used by fishermen on Achill Island and
is undoubtedly the location of the artist Paul Henry's famous
painting 'Launching the Currach' (1910, on display in the National
Gallery of Ireland). |
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Until
fairly recently the waters of Keem Bay were home to the basking
shark as well as grey seals and numerous varieties of fish.
In the 1940s and 50s the basking shark was hunted by local fishermen
at Keem Bay using traditional canvas covered curraghs and directed
by spotters situated on the cliffside on Moyteoge Head. The
oil of the basking shark was extracted for export as a fine
grade lubricant for the aerospace industry. The largest specimen
of the porbeagle shark caught by rod-and-line in Irish waters
was caught off Keem Bay by Dr. O'Donnell-Browne in 1932. It
weighed 365lbs. |
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Scenic
Drives
Atlantic
D
rive, Achill, Co Mayo, Ireland
Achill Island and the Currane Peninsula, on the west coast
of Co Mayo, are among the most remote and scenic areas in
Ireland. Some of the local roads that follow the coastline
of Achill, and which boast some of the most spectacular views
of the area, have been designated 'The Atlantic Drive'. These
pages describe the routes of Achill's Atlantic Drive.
Loop 1: Currane
This 20km loop contains few hills and is therefore perfect
for cyclists. Begin your journey at Achill Sound and take
the R319 across the Michael Davitt Bridge. To the left of
the road you will see the Railway Hostel which was once the
end-of-line station for the Achill rail line. This line connected
Achill to Westport from 1895 to the 1930s. As you continue
your journey through the villages of Polranny, Tonragee, Owenduff
an on to Mulranny, the dismantled railway line is located
to your left. Also visible on the left are tidal waters fed
from Blacksod Bay and Achill Sound, and
which culminate in
Bellacragher Bay, a large tidal inlet that is home to a fish
farm. |
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Taking the road through the village, you will drive for some
miles following the shoreline of Achill Sound. To your right
is Curraun Hill while across the waters of the Sound (to your
left) you should be able to see Kildavnet Tower, a 16th century
Irish tower house that was formerly used by Granuaile, the
legendary pirate que en. This road ends at a junction with
the R319, at which you should take a left turn towards Achill
Sound, your starting point on this loop of Achill's Atlantic
Drive. |
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Golf
Westport's is the ideal base for a golfing holiday. The Golf
Club boasts a 260 acre, 18 hole championship course which has
hosted the Irish Amateur Close Championship on 3 Separate occasions.
To play on a challenging and well designed course, under the
shadow of Croagh Patrick is any golfers dream. |
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are other 18 hole golf courses within an hours drive. These
include Enniscorone, Castlebar, Ballinrobe, Conamara and Carne
(Bellmullet). There are also ten 9 hole golf courses within
easy reach, Clew Bay by the sea being one of the most spectacluar.
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Colonel
Wood House Guest Accommodation
21 Knockranny Village,
Westport,
Co. Mayo,
Ireland.
Ph: +353 (0 )98 29135
Mob: +353 (0 )86 8300242
email: info@colonelwoodhouse.com |
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mayo
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View of Croagh Patrick |
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Westport Town |
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Keem
Beach, Achill Island
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Clare Island, Co. Mayo
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