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 sťahovavý here best seen when young are fledging, July to September.
2, Keel village, lough and machair. Nesting waders, škovránok poľný, pipits, passerines in village including králik zlatohlavý and chochľač severský. Dabbling ducks and labuť spevavá in winter on lough.
3, Keem Bay, possible killer whales, dolphins, porpoise, seals, otter, basking shark, čajka trojprstá, fulmar ľadový, pomorník veľký, autumn migrant waders, ostrohárka severská, čavka červenozobá, čajka bledá, čajka bielokrídla and čajka obrúčkozobá.
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 vlhovitý, potápka škvrnitozobá, kačica černastá, ľabtuška okrová, chochlačka obojková, pobrežník trávový, pobrežník plavý and pobrežník škvrnitý.
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.

