In Ireland, head west to Co Mayo to soak up some of the most beautiful scenery there is to be had

It's often hard to encapsulate such breathtaking coastal scenery and we are truly fortunate to have some of the finest on show here in County Mayo in the west of Ireland.

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It's hard not to chuckle sometimes when one could spend the entire day exploring a series of picture-postcard settings and not encounter a single tour bus.

As a local, that for me is the true beauty of Achill Island. This particular route I did can be done entirely from the vehicle. I did walk over to the statue of the Virgin Mary ( Barr an Mhionnáin) as it's on an elevated path and presents better photo opportunities. It takes about 10-minutes over the gravel trail. The particular view from the statue is astounding.

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Along the route make sure you stop at Kildownet Cemetery. It's a poignant reminder to all those who perished on Achill Island during the Great Famine (1845-49). The countless graves are marked by the small rocks or large boulders and the Holy Well is right there down at the water's edge.

Further down the road is Grace O'Malley's 15th-century tower-house, the Pirate Queen herself.

Thankfully the Atlantic Drive is well signposted, but make sure you take the detour for Barr an Mhionnáin. It's a white-knuckle steep drive to the top, over a well-paved road with room for two vehicles to pass. Worth the effort, the reward is a series of stunning vistas.

Lynott's Bar in Cashel is worth a stop for a drink and if you have time make sure you go all the way back to Keem Beach at the end of the R319 Road. 

Read More: Visit Mayo

This route can also be cycled at a leisurely pace and is often the way to go. Enjoy Achill Island.

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Have you visited Achill Island off the coast of Co Mayo before? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

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