Achill is the largest of the Irish islands, it lies to the Northwest of the Corraun Peninsula to which it’s connected by a small bridge and reminiscent of the hornet, it too flies without regard to its limitations.
This headland has served myriad purposes in its 350 million year lifetime, including, but not limited to a place for contemplation and prayer for St. Patrick; a well-placed lookout for hostile attackers; and today, more benignly the rock of Downpatrick Head is home to a variety of species of birds and the mainland draws enthusiastic birdwatchers from far and wide.
The Clare Island experience begins at Roonagh Pier, just beyond Louisburgh where a ferry takes you to the island. The trip across satisfyingly long (20 minutes) and choppy enough to provide a sense of adventure from the outset, and if the wind is against you, gives the feeling of battling against the elements.
The ancient amphitheatres were built in the form of an incomplete circle, the opening of which was occupied by the stage, the centre of attention and connection point between the two ends of the tiers. Clew Bay inspires this exact same feeling: the city surrounding it, in place of the amphitheatre, holding hands, all eyes turning toward the ocean that winds between the many islands of the basin (365 in fact, just like the days in the year according to legend), as if in a common connection.
Clew Bay, (Cuan Mó) is the large bay in south Mayo punctuated by Achill Island to the north and towns like Mulranny, Newport, Westport, Murrisk, Lecanvey and Louisburgh, with Clare Island like a giant humpback whale, guarding the bay from the wilds of the Atlantic Ocean.
Killala Bay is formed out of the estuary of the River Moy and straddles counties Mayo and Sligo, forming part of the Wild Atlantic Way route. It has long been a place for famously good salmon fishing, a fact that became internationally known in part due to the second home of the Republic of Ireland’s football team manager, Jack Charlton.
Among anglers, the River Moy is considered one of the premiere fishing spots in Europe. A destination in its own right, people travel from all parts of the globe to fish its world-class waters and there is something for every budget. The sight of fishermen on its banks are a permanent feature during the fishing season.
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