Achill Island Stock Photo

Achill Island (Oileán Acla) in County Mayo is the largest island off the west coast of Ireland. Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Gob an Choire. A bridge was first completed here in 1887, replaced by another structure in 1949, and subsequently replaced with the current bridge which was completed in 2008. Early human settlements are believed to have been established on Achill around 3000 BC. A paddle dating from this period was found at the crannóg near Dookinella. The island is 87% peat bog.