Description
Achill Island is the largest of the Irish isles, and is situated off the west coast of Ireland. It has a population of 2,600. Achill is attached to the mainland by a bridge.
Best areas are
1, Croaghaun sea cliffs, third highest in Europe at 688 metres/2257ft, 2 breeding pairs of sokol stěhovavý here best seen when young are fledging, July to September.
2, Keel village, lough and machair. Nesting waders, skřivan polní, pipits, passerines in village including králíček obecný and brkoslav severní. Dabbling ducks and labuť zpěvná in winter on lough.
3, Keem Bay, possible killer whales, dolphins, porpoise, seals, otter, basking shark, racek tříprstý, buřňák lední, chaluha velká, autumn migrant waders, strnad severní, kavče červenozobé, racek šedý, racek polární and racek delawarský.
4, Tonatanvally, or simply 'Valley' has machair, wetland and lakes and is good for rare waders.
5, Achill Head, sea headland for seawatch between September and March.
Rarities, especially transatlantic ones, turn up often, such as trupiál baltimorský, potápka americká, kachna tmavá, linduška proměnlivá, polák proužkozobý, jespák plavý, jespák dlouhokřídlý and jespák skvrnitý.
Details
Access
From Dublin take the motorway NW towards Sligo, turn west through Strokestowe, Charlestown and Castlebar. Nearest airport is Connaught. There is a bridge to the island. Trains run from Dublin to Westport and bus 450 runs 6 times a day from there to Achill.

