Motorcycle ride in Connacht

Achill Island: Atlantic Drive and Keem Bay

79 km (49 miles), 1 hr 50 min, intermediate

Linked to the mainland by a bridge at Achill Sound, Achill Island draws walkers to Croaghaun, whose cliffs are described as the highest sea cliffs in Ireland, reached on foot from Keem Bay. From Mulranny, the Atlantic Drive goes round the Corraun peninsula, crosses the bridge, then heads down to Grace O’Malley’s 15th-century tower. It rounds the southern tip of the island via Cloughmore and the white cliffs of Ashleam before winding down to Dooega. You then carry on via Keel and Dooagh to Keem, at the end of a road cut into the mountainside high above the sea, then return towards Doogort, at the foot of Slievemore and its deserted village. Narrow roads with few places to pass, sheep on the road and the Keem car park full in summer: aim for early morning or late in the day.