Achill Island
Achill Island (/ˈækəl/; Irish: Acaill, Oileán Acla) is the largest of the Irish isles and lies off the west coast of Ireland in County Mayo. It has a population of 2,345. Its area is around 148 km2 (57 sq mi). Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Achill Sound and Polranny. A bridge was first completed here in 1887. Other centres of population include the villages of Keel, Dooagh, Dooega, Dooniver, and Dugort. The parish's main Gaelic football pitch and secondary school are on the mainland at Polranny. Early human settlements are believed to have been established on Achill around 3000 BC. The island is made up of 87% peat bog. The parish of Achill consists of Achill Island, Achillbeg, Inishbiggle and the Corraun Peninsula.
Native name: Acaill, Oileán Acla | |
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Topography of Achill | |
Achill | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 53.96391°N 10.00303°W |
| Archipelago | Achill |
| Total islands | 3 (Achill,Innisbiggle and Achillbeg islands) |
| Major islands | Achill |
| Area | 36,572 acres (14,800 ha) |
| Coastline | 128 km (79.5 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 688 m (2257 ft) |
| Highest point | Croaghaun |
| Administration | |
Ireland | |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | Mayo |
| Barony | Burrishoole |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2,345 (2022 ) |
| Pop. density | 17.3/km2 (44.8/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Irish |
| Additional information | |
| Ireland's largest island | |
Roughly half of the island, including the villages of Achill Sound and Bunacurry are in the Gaeltacht (traditional Irish-speaking region) of Ireland, although the vast majority of the island's population speaks English as their daily language.