One of the most popular drives on Achill Island is the Atlantic Drive. Taking you through a plethora of small villages on the southern part of the island, the scenery and ever-changing colours along this 40km drive are breath-taking. The cork-screw bends are not for the faint-hearted, but around each one a new vista emerges – each more impressive than the last.
There are two main loops that can be followed along the drive – each close to 20km in length, making them ideal for either driving or cycling. Both start in Achill Sound, and while one leads onto the Atlantic Drive just 500m beyond the Michael Davitt bridge, the other goes through the villages of Polranny and Tonragee and into Mulranny, before looping to the right and down along the coast and into the village of Currane.
Along the drive there are many fabulous sights to be seen, including the 16th century Kildownet Castle – known locally as Granuaile’s Castle. Granuaile, one of Ireland’s great female pirates, was born on Clare Island to Eoin O’Malley, “The Black Oak”. The O’Malleys were a powerful seafaring family who traded widely and refused to submit to English rule. Gráinne Uaile gained fame as a sea captain and pirate along the western coastline, attacking cargo vessels constantly. She ruled both Blacksod Bay and Clew Bay, locating her castles strategically along the coast to protect her waters. To this day, castles dating back to her reign are located on Clare Island, in Achill and in Mulranny, all with magnificent views of the sea. Grace died and is buried on Clare Island.
A visit to Achill is never complete without a trip around the Atlantic Drive. As they say here in Achill – drive on, breathe deep and relax.
For further details on the Atlantic Drive and all other tourism attractions in Achill, visit www.achilltourism.ie
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