Achill is Ireland’s largest island. Despite being connected to
the mainland by bridge, when you’re in amongst its vast blanket bogs, soaring sea
cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, rocky headlands and rugged mountains, it can feel
a world away from civilisation – despite civilisation being less than an hour away
in Newport. This feeling of isolation only doubles when winter closes in.
While the island is a walkers’ and cyclists’ paradise, particularly
during those few fine summer days, one of the most striking features on Achill is
the Deserted Village at the base of the Slievemore Mountains. The Deserted Village
was one of several communities, concentrated in the west of Ireland, whose inhabitants,
when faced with the brute force of the Great Famine, had little option other than
to pack up and leave, thus turning them into an empty uninhabited shell and Ireland’s
original ghost estates.
Today, you can visit the village and see the ruins of the 80-odd
houses that still survive. And if you take part in one of the country’s most scenic
13-milers, the Achill Half-Marathon, your route will even allow you to follow in
the footsteps of those who left this village, albeit travelling a lot faster.
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