Achill Island

Achill

Native name: Acaill, Oileán Acla
View of the Island using NASA's technology overhead
Achill
Geography
Location	Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates	53°57′50″N 10°00′11″W / 53.96391°N 10.00303°W / 53.96391; -10.00303Coordinates: 53°57′50″N 10°00′11″W / 53.96391°N 10.00303°W / 53.96391; -10.00303
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 (2,257 ft)
Highest point	Croaghaun
Administration
Ireland
Province	Connacht
County	Mayo
Barony	Burrishoole
Demographics
Population	2,569 (2011)
Pop. density	17.3 /km2 (44.8 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Irish
Additional information
Ireland's largest island

Achill Island (/ˈækəl/; Irish: Acaill, Oileán Acla) in County Mayo is the largest island off the coast of Ireland, and is situated off the west coast. It has a population of 2,700. Its area is 148 km² (57 sq mi). Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Gob an Choire (Achill Sound) and Poll Raithní (Polranny). 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. Other centres of population include the villages of Keel, Dooagh, Dumha Éige (Dooega), Dún Ibhir (Dooniver), The Valley and Dugort. The parish's main Gaelic football pitch and secondary school are on the mainland at Poll Raithní. 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. The parish of Achill also includes the Curraun peninsula. Some of the people of Curraun consider themselves Achill people, and most natives of Achill refer to this area as being "in Achill". There are between 500-600 native Irish speakers in Achill parish. In the summer of 1996, the RNLI decided to station a lifeboat at Kildownet.