Have you seen BEAUTIFUL ACHILL ISLAND in the wild west of Ireland on the EDGE OF THE WESTERN WORLD?
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- Опубликовано: 13 дек 2023
- Welcome to Achill Island, an astoundingly beautiful Island on the remote western coast of that other beautiful island, Ireland.
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We approach via Achill Sound, the waterway separating the mainland from the island, and cross the bridge which will take us across from the mainland in County Mayo through the village of Achill Sound, the gateway to this most stunning part of Ireland.
We’re heading in this first of three films to Doogort on the extreme north of the island, an area with a totally amazing beach, so keep watching for that, but Achill is just so drop dead gorgeous that I felt the journey there should be captured too, as much as any of this scenery can be captured on a camera; I really think you have to come here to fully appreciate the countryside. We see Slievemore mountain in the distance. Sheep seem to rule this island so be careful when you’re driving.
Achill is the largest island off the coast of Ireland and sits of our wild west coast in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Its population is around two and a half thousand, probably at least twice that if we count the sheep! It’s 147 sq km in area and 87% of this island is bogland. And yet the place has hosted human settlements since 4000 years BC.
Ireland as an island is well known for its emigration, probably many of you watching are of Irish descent, living perhaps in the US or Canada. But strangely Achill, during the 17th and 18th Centuries, benefited conversely from immigration. Its new inhabitants came from Ulster, my part of Ireland for those of you who haven’t yet detected the accent. They settled here fleeing the political and religious turmoil of the time - so some things never change! Consequently, and interestingly, two dialects of the Irish language were spoken here, which is why maps today still offer conflicting townland names.
Half the island is in what is classified as the Gaeltacht area of Ireland meaning a place where the Irish language is still spoken. And Achill Irish still has many traces of Ulster Irish in it. We approach Doogort, our destination, sometimes spelt DU rather than DOO for the reasons stated a moment ago.
I should say that I’m visiting the island at the end of October, so I’ve been very lucky with the weather. You won’t normally find such great weather in the west of Ireland at this time of year so bear that I mind when planning your holiday. Pack lots of jumpers and waterproof stuff for the autumn in Ireland.
We pull into our destination at the beach. In front of us we have the Strand Hotel, which is understandably looking a bit deserted on this October day. And this is our prize. This is the amazing Strand at Doogort. Imagine living here and Having the North Atlantic as your front garden!
Doogort is also the site of a controversial Church of Ireland mission lead by a Rev Edward Nangle that sought to convert Catholics to Protestantism during the 19th Century. There were accusations of ‘soupism’, this was the practise of offering food to people during the Irish famine if they would agree to change their religion. People who changed religion in these circumstances purely to stay alive, were said to have “taken the soup”.
Achill Island is absolutely breathtaking, full of drama and soaked in history. Yes, a film hardly can do justice to Achill; you have to smell the air, feel the ground, touch the water of the Atlantic. I have been there a few times and I was always overwhelmed by the experience. Thanks for this film anyway, it makes me think about my next trip to this beautiful and inspiring part of Ireland.
Thank you so much Frits, and good to hear from you again on Naked Ireland.
Great video Matt. Keem Beach where the film The Banshees of Inisherin was filmed is a 100 times better. Love the music. Co Mayo is the nicest county in Ireland. Belmullet peninsula in Mayo is also lovely. Belfast born artist, Paul Henry spent nine years on Achill Island from 1910 to 1919. The drive around the wild Atlantic way to Keem beach is breath taking and some. Thank you for your video and the music. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers
Many thanks, Keem is now firmly on my hit list.
Spent a childhood holiday on Achil in 1974 when I was 11 years old, it's a beautiful place, actually stayed at the Strand Hotel overlooking that stunning beach, we came from west Belfast, the contrast between the two places at the time was considerable to say the least, great film, enough about the sheep already! 😂
What a contrast indeed Brendan Kelly! Thanks for watching and a big Merry Crimbo to ya and a healthy, peaceful new year.
In July 1983 I was lucky enough to stay with a friend who lived on Achill Island. He lived at Bunacurry, but every night we went to the Strand Hotel at Doogort aka Dugort. The hotel had a resident folk/guitar duo for the summer. They were from Dublin and were great craic but I can't remember their name. The Guinness was fine, and I drove home, which was a bit naughty. Happy days😃
Thanks for sharing that, and thanks for watching.
Unreal. We definitely have some of the most beautiful and wonderful places to visit in the world. Imagine if we got great summers wouldn't it be even better?
It would be magic, though sometimes you can be lucky with the weather - like me in this film, shot in late Oct!
'Imagine if we got great summers wouldn't it be even better?' - OTOH, it might be much worse, the multitudes that seek out the Mediterranean and flood warmer climes would likely divert to Ireland! Prices are ghastly enough already and traffic - transport train, bus service awful.
That’s a very philosophic way of looking at our cless than perfect weather. The rain and the cold, the cloudiness and occasional sun is all part of the experience.
Cant wait
Hope it doesn’t disappoint. Though I think you’ll enjoy it.
Great video and commentary. Yet another place I must visit when I return to Ireland / Irish archipelago. Thanks!
There’s a thousand reasons to come here Robert - see you soon I hope.
Hope you had a nice time in my treasured "Foggy boggy Mayo", I've been around the World a bit but Mayo is Magic, Mayo people are just the best going.
Brilliant county!
thank you I enjoy a lot with your videos. I went in Ireland many times and I love your country. Thanks
Please keep watching - new film out tomorrow Patricia!
I often played football on Achill Island as a youngster. I was a goalie, and on windy days (and there were many of them), I'd struggle to clear the penalty box from my kickouts! The other thing was that our coach told our full-backs never to assume that the ball was going over the endline in Achill, as the wind would often hold the ball up in the corners.
A beautiful, yet raw place when the weather's unfavourable.
Hopefully you changed sides at least, to give yourselves the benefit of the wind!
It often blew across the pitch sideways, no advantage to be had!@@nakedireland
Sure, all good craic!
Our family is from village Keel, Achill Island. I'm 3rd generation American. Last night we were talking about coming over to try to find some McNamara cousins. I doubt we could just pull up and start asking where do the McNamara's live!!
It is a beautiful island!
You’d be surprised! Go into the local pubs and ask that very question and you may indeed get some useful answers. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Achill is beautiful especially if you cycle from Newport through Malranney to Achil as you can see what walkers cant see as its too far to walk or car drivers cant see as not a road. Cant beat Keem beach. Hope you video is as good as your usual videos. TY Tony
Thanks for the info Tony, no Keem beach I’m afraid, but a gorgeous October visit to Doogort, which I’m sure you know well. It the first of 3 films I’ve made on Achill. I hope you enjoy.
Was on Achill a few ago on a tour up the Wild Atlantic Way, from County Cork to Donegal!!! It's an amazing place, was the highlight of the holiday from wild, picturesque battered coastlines to beautiful beaches, mountains, bogs, ancient tower houses that once belonged to the Pirate Queen Grainne O'Malley, and did I mention the sheep?!!! Amazing place, feels like a place out of time (you can still get a modern coffee though and a good meal. I'd recommend to anyone, especially sheep lovers!!! Can't wait for part 2!!!
Most amazing place in Ireland. The landscape is breathtaking. Spent wonderful holidays there as a kid
It’s a very special place alright - 2 more Achill films to come soon!
Thanks Greg 😊
To be honest I know nothing about Achill Island, probably because I've never thought about visiting & also with it being so far away, so thanks for opening my eyes, even though they kept closing while trying to count those sheep lol! 🤣🐑
It's nothing like I expected, in fact it's even better!
May you & your family have an amazing Christmas 🎅🎄☃🦌🦃
And a merry Christmas to you too Rue and wishing you a healthy and peaceful new year.
Thanks Matt, glad you enjoyed it. Part 2 on the way week after next. Another Belfast video next week.
Thank you so much. It was the perfect video to bring a smile to my face during a stressful day at work. As soon as I saw the sheep it was no-stop smiles for me . I have family in Ireland that I go visit. I'm so excited to add this to our places to visit. Keep up the amazing work!!!!
Many many thanks for the positive comments. I’ll keep the videos coming.
That was stunning Greg! What an incredible country, for all its size it has some of the most beautiful scenery in the World. I drove through this part of Ireland, back in 1980. The history of the Great Hunger , and of the “Soup Bowl”, I learnt at St Teresa’s. It stuck with me as I drove through the landscape. Great music. Fine playing, very professional.
Many thanks again Des. Yes, Achill is very special indeed. There are two more Achill films to come so look out for them. But next week we’re off to the Holy lands. No, not Jerusalem, but Jerusalem Street in Belfast’s student area!
Cycled from Westport to the beach beyond Louisburg and it was cloudy and cold…June 1992.
The weather is often the problem. But still beautiful even on a bad day.
Great video Greg. I would have never thought of Achill Island but its on my bucket list now, if only to see the sheep 😁, you didn't mention them 😋.
There is a place off the northern coast of Ireland called Sheep Island, but Achill is the real Sheep Island!
@@nakedireland Having moved to the city form the country a couple of years ago, I never realised I miss sheep! 😆
Maybe Achill’s not for you then?
@@nakedireland Could be, I can smell the sheep poo now 😆 (never thought I would miss that! 😂) Funny what you miss when its not there.
😂😂😂
I actually yawned while watching the sheep run across my laptop screen!!!
You should get to bed earlier Eugene!
Doogort is beautiful but Keem even better. Broke my ankle in the Deserted Village in Achil last March and when I went to Castlebar hospital A&E they wouldnt see me unless I paid as I dont have private insurance. Drove to Dungannon A&E as couldnt make it to the Mater in Belfast, how I did with a broken ankle I dont know but it was broken. Plaster cast to prove it LOL
What a story! I hope you’re feeling better?
according to my DNA test my ancestors came from Achill island. I've visited Ireland a few times but never been to County Mayo, I guess I'll have to make another trip.
You really should make the trip!
We hear of a lot of new black faces showing up in Eire. Not the pastoral kind however. Ireland for the Irish!
What a stupid thing to say!