Achill for family holiday?

paulocon2

Hi,

Looking at heading West for 5 or 6 days in August and am just wondering what people's thoughts are on Achill Island as a place to base ourselves?

On a personal basis, I love the scenery (done the Atlantic Drive previously) and do a bit of hill-walking but I'm wondering if there is much in the area for kids (4, 10 and 12 year old).

Might be based in Dugort and don't mind driving. Looks like Westport is an hour's drive and have heard there is plenty to do there. If the weather is against is, could also take a spin around Connemara to pass a day.

Would really appreciate any advice.

Paul

Bigus

Do the western green way cycle route , bring your own or hire bikes , and hire a bike trailer for the 4 year old, saw loads of them on the greenway.

paulocon2

Bigus wrote: »

Do the western green way cycle route , bring your own or hire bikes , and hire a bike trailer for the 4 year old, saw loads of them on the greenway.

Thanks. Have heard of the greenway alright - I'll have a look at hiring bikes on the island.

laurakil24

if the weather is good you can spend all of the time at the beach and doing watersports on the lake! I have family there and have spent all my summers there since I can remember and I would definitly recommend it. you can go fishing aswell there is a man at Purteen who does boat trips!

anthonyos

great place to visit only thing is i hear its a heaven for swingers in the summer months

naughtysmurf

anthonyos wrote: »

great place to visit only thing is i hear its a heaven for swingers in the summer months

Bugger, didn't know that & was only there a few weeks ago

paulocon2

laurakil24 wrote: »

if the weather is good you can spend all of the time at the beach and doing watersports on the lake! I have family there and have spent all my summers there since I can remember and I would definitly recommend it. you can go fishing aswell there is a man at Purteen who does boat trips!

Cheers for that. Into a bit of hill-walking so will hopefully get out onto the mountains at some stage. Walking distance to the Beach (Dugort) so that'll keep the children happy.

Just praying now for some weather.

naughtysmurf

May not be possible with the kids but check out
http://www.ferndale-achill.com/ for an unusual dining experience, you need to book dinner 24 hrs in advance, we enjoyed it

paulocon2

Just to come back to my original post.

We had a wonderful holiday on Achill and I can't recommend it highly enough. Stayed in Dugort at the foot of Slievemore so I got a couple of early morning hikes in up the mountain. Our days consisted of a morning and evening trip to the beach - some absolutely amazing beaches on the Island (Keem is ridiculously scenic as is Silver Strand with Slievemore towering over it).

We also done a bit of Kayaking, had a walk to the Deserted Village and done a couple of drives.

Great spot and I'll definitely return next year.