Tel:00353 (0) 9843325
Five points to note
This event usually at 13.00hrs donates all funds raised to the RNLI.
January 2nd. through to January 31st,
Visit The Western Light Art Gallery on the Sandybanks in Keel to view a large selection of paintings and photographic landscapes. The Gallery is usually open from 10.00am to 5.00pm.
January and New Year Resolutions go hand in hand as does Achill Island and holidays. This menu of months will help to fill out the extensive variety of events and experiences that are just waiting for the person, couple, group or family that plan to spend time on the Island over the coming year.
“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright”.
Henry David Thoreau.
February 14th. Valentine's Day (Tuesday)
Share a romantic break on beautiful Achill Island and stay at Beach Cottages 1 & 2 where you can enjoy the wonderful views and the privacy of your own space. There are many restaurants and bars to visit and all within walking distance of the cottages. The cottages are on the main route for taxi services if you want to visit other villages on the Island.
This is an ideal month for that mid week or weekend get away. Enjoy the walks, beaches and the copious spaces. Shops are open and why not call at The Western Light Art Gallery to view the latest images of Achill or book a guided motor tour of the Island (Tel: 098 43301, Mobile: 087 2437686)
The winter months are an ideal time to renew that creative spirit that Achill has imbued in it's visitors and residents for centuries.
“People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.”
Anton Chekhov.
Pipe Band Festival.
Follow the bands for this special event
This year this holiday falls on a Saturday. Make a weekend of it and take the chance to have a relaxing break. Just in case you can stay a few days why not observe sunrise on the Spring Equinox from the top of Minaun on March 20th. This is the day when the Sun is directly over the equator as our summer approaches.
Visit The Western Light Art Gallery on the Sandybanks in Keel to view a large selection of paintings and photographic landscapes. The Gallery is usually open from 10.00am to 5.00pm. or book a guided motor tour of the Island (Tel: 098 43301, Mobile: 087 2437686).
“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!”
John Muir.
April 1st. April Fools Day :)
April marks the opening of the new exhibition of paintings and photography at The Western Ligh Art Gallery on the Sandybanks at Keel. More details, directions etc. at www.achill-island.com . They host the largest number of images of Achill Island anywhere.
Art Galleries, Shops, restaurants etc. will be open.
4th - 7th May
Féile Siúlóidí Acla / Achill Walks Festival
4th - 7th May
Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend
12th - 13th May
Painting Workshop
Painting Workshop at the Dánlann Yawl Art Gallery.
12th - 13th May
Painting Workshop
Painting Workshop with Padraig McCaul.
18th - 20th May
Yoga Weekend
Details to follow.
21st - 25th May
Painting Workshop
Painting Workshop at the Dánlann Yawl Art Gallery.
25th - 28th May
Achill Holistic Adventure
Also during May:
Art & Crafts Exhibitions
Exhibitions of arts and crafts at the following galleries:
Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Achil l- 098 43325
Achill Tours
Tours of Achill available all year round: Achill Tours
JUNE - The longest days of the year to spend out and about on the Island
It is daylight at 5.00am and with the after-light following sunset on a clear night it is not unusual to have light until 11.00pm. During the few hours of darkness on the Summer Solstice it is said that "Whatever is dreamed on this night, will come to pass."—William Shakespeare, A Midsummernight's Dream.
The word Solstice, comes from the Latin words Sol (sun) and Sistere (to stand still).
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9th - 10th June
Painting Workshop
Painting Workshop with Padraig McCaul.
18th - 22nd June
21st June
Summer Solstice Walk
Also during June:
Give It A Go!
A weekend of free taster sessions at many of Achill's outdoor and indoor activities. Final dates TBC.
Art & Crafts Exhibitions
Exhibitions of arts and crafts at the following galleries:
Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Achill -098 43325
Achill Tours
Tours of Achill available all year round: Achill Tours
Cinemobile
Mobile cinema visits Achill Sound and Keel
Fishing Competitions
Achill Sporting Club Fishing Competitions, Keel Lake & Lough Gall
Johnny Kilbane Memorial Weekend
Details TBC
Visit the many exhibitions of arts and crafts open on the Island.
There is so much to do on Achill.
Blue Flag Beaches,
State of the art Playground at Keel Beach.
Learn Surfing, Kitefsuring, Kayaking, Canoeing, Painting, Horse Riding,
Go golfing at the links course in Keel or play Pitch & Put at the Valley.
Go mountain Climbing, Cycling, Trekking, Boating and much more.
Enjoy an evening meal in one of the many restaurants.
Visit the local bars and enjoy the music and the atmosphere.
A visit to the new tourist office at Achill Sound after you arrive will ensure that you have full information about current events and things to do. They publish an up to date weekly flier about facilities and things to do.
Saturday 7th July
Achill Half Marathon
The seventh annual Achill Half Marathon takes place. See www.achillmarathon.com for full and updated details.
14th - 15th July
Painting Workshop
Painting Workshop with Padraig McCaul.
19th - 22nd July
Féile Bia Na Mara / Seafood Festival
Annual seafood festival. Previous year's events included oyster tasting, cookery demonstrations, seaweed safaris, sandcastle competitions, gala seafood buffet, Achill's Got Talent competition and more. 2012 details TBC.
29th July
St. Colman's Garden Fete
Annual garden fete and family fun day at St. Colman's, Keel.
30th July - 5th August
Scoil Acla
Traditional Irish summer school.
Also during July:
Art & Crafts Exhibitions
Exhibitions of arts and crafts at the following galleries:
Achill Island Arts & Crafts Centre, Cashel, Achill
Clare Island Art, Clare Island
Kieran Sweeney Craft Shop, Achill Sound, Achill
Ronan Halpin Gallery, Newtown, Keel, Achill
The Saula Gallery, Saula, Achill
Sweeney's Restaurant, Achill Sound
Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Achill
Cruinniú Bádóirí Acla / Achill Yawl Festival
Weekly races in these traditional wooden-hulled Achill sailing boats. Various locations. Race schedule tbc.
Drama Workshops - details to be announced.
Fishing Competitions
Achill Sporting Club hosts fishing competitions at Keel Lake and Lough Gall. Details to be announced.
Free Music Series
Mayo County Council free music series. Details to be announced.
Pony Buggy Trekking
Pony Buggy Treking at The Strand Hotel, Dugort. Details to be announced.
The Woods Nursery and Gardens Guided Tours
Achill Secret Garden at Bleanaskill on the Atlantic Drive hosts guided tours, workshops and events.
The richest of the purple heathers blooms this month on the bogs and mountain sides on Achill and flora in general provides a rich cover for the landscape.
Monday 6th. August - Summer Bank Holiday
The Western Light Art Gallery Summer 2011 annual group exhibition.
This exhibition of photography and paintings explores the Island in an intimate way exposing it's charms, moods and the Island's remarkable land and sea scapes.
Also during August:
Art & Crafts Exhibitions
Exhibitions of arts and crafts at the following galleries:
Achill Island Arts & Crafts Centre, Cashel, Achill
Clare Island Art, Clare Island
Kieran Sweeney Craft Shop, Achill Sound, Achill
Ronan Halpin Gallery, Newtown, Keel, Achill
The Saula Gallery, Saula, Achill
Sweeney's Restaurant, Achill Sound
Western Light Art Gallery, Keel, Achill
Cruinniú Bádóirí Acla / Achill Yawl Festival
Weekly races in these traditional wooden-hulled Achill sailing boats. Various locations. Race schedule to be announced.
Drama Workshops - Details to be announced.
Fishing Competitions
Achill Sporting Club hosts fishing competitions at Keel Lake and Lough Gall. Details to be announced.
Musical Recital
St. Thomas's Church, Dugort. Details to be announced.
Sea Angling Competitions
St Colman's Sea Angling Senior and Junior Competition. Final details to be announced
The Woods Nursery and Gardens Guided Tours
Achill Secret Garden at Bleanaskill on the Atlantic Drive hosts guided tours, workshops and events.
Also during September:
Western Light Art Gallery, The Sandybanks, Keel, Achill.
Exhibition of Landscape paintings and photography.
The Woods Nursery and Gardens Guided Tours
Achill Secret Garden at Bleanaskill on the Atlantic Drive hosts guided tours, workshops and events.
Art & Crafts Exhibitions
Exhibitions of arts and crafts at the following galleries:
Achill Island Arts & Crafts Centre, Cashel, Achill
Clare Island Art, Clare Island
Kieran Sweeney Craft Shop, Achill Sound, Achill
Ronan Halpin Gallery, Newtown, Keel, Achill
Sweeney's Restaurant, Achill Sound
The Western Light Art Gallery Summer 2011 annual group exhibition.
Achill Island in October can be many things to many people but perhaps it is at it's most memorable when you experience it's still and misty moods.
"I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand, shadowless like Silence, listening
To Silence." - Thomas Hood
Come to Achill and simply enjoy it as it is during this quiet month. It is normally shared by surfers, walkers,
writers, painters and those who just like time and space to live in.
Saturday 31st December - New Year's Eve
View 2012's last sunset from one of the the most westerly points in Europe before ringing in the New Year with Achill's famous Pipe Bands.
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