If you are trying to find Keem Beach it’s fairly straightforward – just get on the R319 from Mulrany and drive to the end of the road, literally.
Keem is at the very end of Achill island, tucked away in a lovely location at the foot of the surrounding mountains. In our view this is a much nicer beach and a better place to swim than its ‘big brother’ in Keel.
The beach itself is small but sheltered. There is a steep gradient into the water which is good for swimmers but be careful with children. The water itself is clear and inviting.
There is good carparking space and toilet facilities which were clean and well maintained when we visited.
Lifeguards are on duty in the summer and there are also a couple of picnic tables
Access to the beach from the car park is via a rough and steep path which is just about ok for buggies but not suitable for wheelchairs.
Keem is a really nice spot and in our view the nicest beach in Achill.
If you fancy a break from Achill’s beaches then Lough Accorymore is an attractive alternative. Situated between Keel and Keem beaches, Accorymore, as the name suggests, is a corrie lake situated at the base of the cliffs which lead up to Croaghaun mountain.
The lake has a lovely, tranquil feel to it and is a soothing contrast to the nearby, usually busy beaches.
Like all lakes it needs to be treated with caution, so be extra careful getting in and out and watch out for submerged rocks.
Mulrany would not be in our top five of beaches in Mayo but it is certainly worth a visit and is a handy location for those who don’t want to face into the trip out into ‘darkest’ Achill.
The beach itself is fairly small and disappears altogether when the tide comes in. So check your timing if you are going there with your buckets and spades.
It is backed onto by rocks but it can be exposed and a bit windy. Having said that the water here is clear and you don’t have to wade out too far to be in your depth, and the views across Clew Bay to Croagh Patrick can be very impressive
Lifeguards are on duty in the summer.
Blue Flag beach .
There is a reasonably good amount of car parking and small but clean toilets. There are also a couple of picnic tables near to the beach entrance
From the car park there is a rough ramp type path which leads to the beach, so it appears accessible for buggies and wheelchairs.
From Castlebar you take the R 311 to Newport; from Westport it’s the N 59 to Newport. From Newport it’s the N 59 all the way to Mulrany. You then go through the village and you will see a signposted left turn for the ‘Trá’.
Alternatively in the village itself, opposite the hotel, there is a footpath across the causeway down to the beach. This is a left over from the days when the hotel was at the end of the railway line and was a traditional holiday spot. It’s good to see the hotel open again after being derelict for a number of years .
Doogort is an attractive, sandy beach which is well sheltered by impressive Slievemore mountain at one end. The water here is clear and fresh , with a nice sharp feel to it when we there last in June. It isn’t too steep as you get in so it appears to be a good spot for children.
There are grassy areas behind the beach for shelter along with space for parking and a couple of picnic tables.
At one end the beach is buggy accessible and wheelchair accessible with an effort
Check with Mayo County Council regarding lifeguards over the summer. There is a lifeguard hut but no one was on duty when we were there in early June.
Take the R319 from Mulrany. When you cross over the Achill sound bridge watch out for a couple of signposted right turns which will take you to Doogort.
Greystones is located about 20 kilometres from Dublin city and is now very much part of the urban sprawl with new housing estates proliferating. Despite this the town still manages to maintain a nice feel to it with an attractive main street.
The beach itself is at the back of the town but is cut off and it isn’t overlooked by houses or roads. The water here is clean and has a nice swell at times.
For more serious swimmers this is a good spot as you are quickly into, and out of, your depth when you enter the water. Equally, children need to be watched carefully.
While the beach is a good size its soft loose sand makes it hard to walk on. However, this is a good family spot with lots of room for kids to play.
There are modern public toilets (pay as you go), and a nearby children’s playground. A path runs alongside the beach which is accessible. The sand is so soft it’s not suitable for wheelchairs and you will have to lift your buggy.
From Dublin city take the N11 and watch out for the signposts to Greystones. If you follow these they should bring you straight into the town. You then drive through the town’ s main street and you will come to a choice of two car parks – the nearer one you have to pay for and the further one is free.
There is a DART station in the town and the beach is just a few minutes walk away. Greystones is also served by Dublin Bus, check www.dublinbus.ie.
