‘My Sailor, My Love’, Filmed in Achill, To Release Early 2023 in Ireland & UK
The independent movie My Sailor, My Love, which was filmed on location in Achill, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this week. Amid a raft of positive reviews, it was also announced that German-based distributors Global Screen has stuck a deal with Signature Entertainment for…
Exciting Line-up for Battle for the Lake Achill Island
The line-up for the 2022 Battle for the Lake Achill Island event just gets better! After a Covid enforced two year hiatus, the popular watersports and music festival returns to Achill from Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October. The watersports on display include kitesurfing, windsurfing and stand up paddleboarding….
Martin McDonagh Wins Best Screenplay Award for The Banshees of Inisherin at Venice Film Festival
The Banshees of Inisherin, the movie that was filmed largely on location on Achill Island, has won a second award at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. After Colin Farrell won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Pádraic Súilleabháin in the film, writer and director Martin McDonagh was…
Colin Farrell Wins Best Actor Award at Venice Film Festival for The Banshees of Inisherin
Actor Colin Farrell, one of the stars of the movie The Banshees of Inisherin which was shot largely on location on Achill Island, has been awarded ‘Best Actor’ for this role at the Venice Film Festival. The inaugural screening of the movie at the festival was followed by a 13…
Three Circus Festivals in One Weekend on Achill
23rd – 25th September 2022 Roll up! Roll up! Achill Island will host not one, not two, but three fabulous circus-themed festivals on the weekend of 23rd to 25th September 2022. On Friday 23rd, as part of the national Culture Night initiative, there will be an evening of poetry, music,…
Cycle For Shane London to Achill Island Underway
A fundraising cycle ride from London to Achill Island is in full swing, with the riders expected in Achill on Saturday 27th August. The event is in memory of Mayo man Shane Corrigan, who died from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in 2018 at the age of just 23….
Keem Bay Named ‘Best Wild Swimming Spot in UK & Ireland’
A survey has listed Achill’s Keem Bay as the number one ‘wild swimming spot’ in the British and Irish Isles. The list was compiled by Ocean Bottle, a UK-based reusable bottle company. Ocean Bottle used data on water quality compiled by Government agencies and cross-referenced the results for over 800…
Trailer Released for Banshees of Inisherin Movie
The official poster and trailer have been released for the forthcoming movie ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’, which was filmed on location here on Achill Island and on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the film reunites actors Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell after their…
Achill Shortlisted in Irish Times Five Best Places to Holiday in Ireland
UPDATE – the winner was The Burren, in Co. Clare. And then there were five! The judges in the Irish Times ‘Best Place to Holiday in Ireland’ competition have whittled the top 20 entries down to the final five … and Achill Island is one of them! The winner will…
Beach Wheelchairs for Keel & Dugort Beaches
Achill Tourism, in association with Mayo Sports Partnership and mayo.ie, is delighted to announce the provision of three new beach wheelchairs for Achill. They add to the one beach wheelchair already available and can be booked for use at Keel beach and/or Silver Strand beach in Dugort. To aid accessibility,…
Achill Listed in Irish Times Best Place to Holiday in Ireland 2022
Achill has been long-listed in the Irish Times ‘Best Place to Holiday in Ireland 2022’ competition, conducted in association with Fáilte Ireland. The longlist of 20 locations is based on reader nominations and in-person visits by the competition judges. The panel of judges consists of: Nadia El Ferdaoussi, travel blogger;…
Keem Bay Rated Ireland’s Best Beach
A study by the Daily Mirror newspaper has identified Ireland’s top beaches from ratings and reviews of over 500 beaches on Google Maps. Achill’s Keem Beach was ranked number one, with a five star rating from over 1,500 reviewers. The fourth-rated beach in the research was Achill’s Silver Strand in…
Book Launch: The Keelman’s Fortnight (Vol. 1) by Adrian Lavelle
Achill writer Adrian Lavelle has published his first novel, titled ‘The Keelman’s Fortnight (Volume One)’. The first of a two-part series, this crime story involves a student fleeing to Achill Island to hide out in a primal scream therapy commune. Copies of this book are available to buy in Achill…
Book Launch: The Summer I Robbed A Bank by David O’Doherty
Comedian David O’Doherty, a frequent visitor to Achill, has published a children’s novel based on Achill Island. Titled ‘The Summer I Robbed A Bank’ the story revolves around a plot to rob the travelling bank. Update – David O’Doherty’s debut novel was awarded winner of the Specsavers Children’s Book of…
Achill Water – Do Not Consume Notice
Details of the Do Not Consume notice affecting Achill water supplies in August 2020, with locations of tankers providing safe water.
Keem Bay Ranked in World’s Best Beaches Lists
In July Keem Bay was ranked at number 11 in a list of the 50 Best Beaches in the World by travel website Big 7 Travel. Now the iconic bay has been ranked at number three in Conde Nast Traveller’s 20 Best Beaches in the World. In both cases, Keem Bay was the…
Achill Painters Book Launched
Details of the launch of Mary J. Murphy’s book Achill Painters – An Island History in August 2020. This book is currently Out of Print.
Pop-Up Bakery & Achill Crafted Shop Launch
Achill Tourism’s Keel information office hosts a pop-up bakery every Saturday morning (10am – 12 noon) and stocks ‘Achill Crafted’ local items every day.
Achill Greenway Extension Plans Approved
Plans for a 10K extension of the Great Western Greenway track, from Achill Sound to Bunnacurry, have been approved by Mayo County Council.
Achill Reopening Features on RTE Morning Ireland
RTE Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme reported from Achill Island on how tourism businesses and customers are adapting to a COVID-19 holiday season.
Keem Beach Voted Ireland’s Top Seaside Destination
A poll of Irish people has voted Keem Beach on Achill Island as the seaside destination they would most like to visit in Ireland.
Failte Ireland Announces Re-Opening Guides
Failte Ireland has issued a series of guideline documents for each tourism industry sector to prepare to re-open following COVID-19 restrictions.
Keel Beach Retains Blue Flag for 32nd Year
The 2020 Blue Flag beach awards see Achill retain the status on four beaches, including Keel which represents 32 consecutive years of the award.
Keem Bay Sharks Video Goes Viral
A video of basking sharks in Keem Bay, Achill Island, has gone viral after being picked up by national and international media. Shot in May 2020 by Sean Molloy.
New Product Launch from Artist Padraig McCaul
Padraig McCaul Launches Hurricane Lantern Collaboration Achill-based artist Padraig McCaul has launched an exciting new collection of works in an innovative collaboration with the Blue Ridge Craft Company of Coleraine. Five is his images are being moulded into the hardened wax of the company’s handcrafted hurricane lanterns. Once illuminated via…
Achill Bathing Water Quality Recognised in Latest EPA Report
The latest (May 2020) EPA report on Bathing Water Quality ranks four Achill beaches in the highest ‘Excellent’ category.
Keem Bay One of ‘Best Beach Destinations For When We Can Travel’
Keem Bay, the jewel in the crown of Achill Island, has once again been referenced as one of the top beach destinations in Ireland. Travel journalist Pol O Conghaile appeared today (Monday 27th April, 2020) on Newstalk Radio’s Pat Kenny show to discuss ‘The Best Beach Destinations for When We Can Travel. Asked by…
Achill Tourism COVID-19 Revamp Featured on RTE News
Revamped Tourist Hub a Lifeline for Achill Cocooners Since the announcement of the ‘lockdown’ in Ireland to try to control the spread of COVID-19, Achill Tourism has re-purposed its operations to become a hub for the local Community Response. This initiative was covered today (Monday 27th April 2020) by RTE…
Basking Shark at Keem Bay, Achill Island
Large Basking Shark Visits Keem Bay, Achill Island In recent weeks a large basking shark has taken up residence in Keem Bay and surrounding waters off Achill Island, Co. Mayo, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Estimated at up to 25 feet (7m) in length, the huge shark has attracted crowds…
Events to Celebrate Achill’s Wildlife
A Celebration of the Wildlife of Achill Announcing a series of nature walks and talks from wildlife experts in celebration of the wildlife of Achill, Co. Mayo, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. All of the events listed below are free and family friendly (all except the bat training are suitable…
Achill on RTE Getaways
Achill Featured on RTÉ Getaways Programme – February 2019 Achill Island was featured as the ‘Short Getaway’ destination on the RTÉ travel programme ‘Getaways’, broadcast in Ireland on 5th February 2019 and in the UK on BBC1 NI on 11th February 2019. Viewers in Ireland can see the programme online…
Two Awards for Achill Half Marathon & 10K
January 2019 – RunIreland.com, Ireland’s premier running and triathlon website, announced the winners of its 2018 awards for Irish events and named the Achill Half Marathon as both Ireland’s Best Half Marathon and its Most Scenic Route. These twin awards are just rewards for the small army of volunteers who…
Dooagh Beach Disappears … Again
January 2019 – The sandy beach that reappeared at Dooagh Bay in 2017, sparking worldwide interest, has disappeared again following stormy weather. The ‘beach’ had been sand-free for 33 years, having disappeared in 1984, but came back in the spring of 2017. It is thought that the sand is lying…
Rare White Lobster on Display in Achill
A very rare white lobster has gone on display in an Achill aquarium after being caught in local waters. The one-in-a-million lobster was caught recently by fisherman Charlie O’Malley in pots close to Dooagh Bay. In 25 years of fishing, it is the first white lobster Charlie has seen. The ghost…
Launch of Achill Maritime History Trail
Venue: Ostán Oileán Acla, Achill SoundSaturday 24th March 2018, from 7pmAlso on display Sunday 25th March, 1pm – 6pm The launch of the brand new Maritime History Trail is an evening for the public to come and see up close the this new and exciting addition to Achill Island. The 14…
Achill’s Latest New Beach – Ashleam Bay
Following the return of sand to Dooagh beach in May 2017, a new story has emerged online as Ashleam Bay, on Achill’s spectacular Atlantic Drive, has sand for the first time in 12 years. According to locals, the sandy beach usually appears every seven years. In a stunning video, Malcolm Cooney tells…
Book Launch: My Father’s Wake by Kevin Toolis
BAFTA winning film maker, playwright, director and writer Kevin Toolis, whose father hails from Achill, launches his book ‘My Father’s Wake – How the Irish Teach Us to Live, Love and Die’ in Ted’s Bar, Cashel, at 7.30 on Wednesday 25th October 2017. Kevin Toolis introduces the book: On a remote…
RTE1 Ryan Tubridy Show – Tuesday 30th May 2017
Achill Island welcomed the RTE Radio 1 Ryan Tubridy Show to Keel on Tuesday 30th May 2017. Ryan and his team were touring Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way for the week. On the day before, he visited Dooagh’s new beach and also went horse riding on Keel beach. The show came live from The Beehive…
Achill’s New Beach – Dooagh Beach Born Again
Achill Island has a new beach for 2017! For the first time since 1984, an extensive sandy beach has returned to Dooagh Bay. Just in time for the start of the summer season, the ocean has deposited thousands of tons of sand onto the formerly rocky ‘beach’. Now that the…
Achill Expo 2017: Monday 17th April
Following the success of Expo Achill last year, Achill Tourism is delighted to announce that Expo Achill 17 will once again take place on Easter Monday, 17th April. This year’s exhibition will take place at the new Achill Island Brewery in Bunnacurry. The exhibition will be open from 12 noon to 4pm…
Keem Bay in World’s Top 10 Beaches
Keem Bay on Achill Island has been listed among 10 of the world’s most breathtaking beaches, according to the Irish Independent. Taking its place alongside beaches the Seychelles, Tahiti, Big Sur California and other global locations, Keem is the only Irish beach listed in the paper’s Travel Top 10. Travel…