Loop No. 1
Achill Cycle Loop 1 is the longest and most challenging of the three routes that make up the Achill Cycle Hub. Of course, meeting a challenge head-on is what makes a lot of us tick, and you’ll be more than proud of yourself when you complete this one! You can branch off north from R319 at Ted’s in Cashel and use the recently completed stretch of Greenway from there to Achill Sound. From here you’ll head south around the original ‘Atlantic Drive’. Along the route you’ll find the historic Kildavnet cemetery and Grace O’Malley’s castle, the film set location for J J Devine's, the Banshees of Inisherin pub (which exists no more), stunning Atlantic cliffs, views of Achill Beg and Clare Island, and Dooega’s Blue Flag Beach. On your way back, in Bunnacurry you can drop into the Irish American Whiskey Distillery or the Achill Island Sea Salt factory, just a short detour from Bunnacurry junction. After coming through Keel Village, a short spin southward from R319 will bring you down to Purteen Harbour, where the Banshees of Inisherin village was constructed in 2021 for filming (and dismantled immediately afterwards). Even if you’ve chosen electric bikes you might be a bit tired on arrival back in Dooagh, but you’ll be so glad you decided to take the challenge!
