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 Sivi soko here best seen when young are fledging, July to September.
2, Keel village, lough and machair. Nesting waders, Poljska ševa, pipits, passerines in village including Kraljić and Kugara. Dabbling ducks and Veliki labud in winter on lough.
3, Keem Bay, possible killer whales, dolphins, porpoise, seals, otter, basking shark, Troprsti galeb, Burnjak, Veliki pomornik, autumn migrant waders, Strnadica ostrugašica, Crvenokljuna galica, Severni galeb, Islandski galeb and Delaverski galeb.
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 Baltimorska vuga, Šarenokljuni gnjurac, Američka crna plovka, Američka trepteljka, Američka ćubasta patka, Žutogrudi sprudnik, Crnoleđa sprutka and Crnogruda sprutka.
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.

