The Achill landscape, plants and animals

Achill’s two highest peaks are on Slievemore (671m) and Croaghaun (668m). The latter, located at the western end of Achill, features five glacial corrie lakes on its slopes. These include Lough Bunnafreva West, perched precariously at over 300m above sea level, and Lough Nakeeroge East (Annagh), which at just 15m above sea level is the lowest corrie lake in Ireland. The northern side of Croaghaun features dramatic cliffs, some two miles in length and up to 600m in height, which are said to be the highest sea cliffs in Europe. There is some debate as to whether the peaks of Croaghaun and Slievemore were covered with ice during periods of glaciation; one interesting feature of both peaks is the presence of rare Artic alpine flora such as juniper. Other significant peaks on Achill include Minaun (466m) and Curraun Hill (524m).

Two-thirds of Achill is covered by peat bog, and this probably accounts for the relatively low number of plant species native to the island. The most common species is heather, while trees are almost entirely absent from Achill Island except for Glendarary wood near Achill Sound. On the Curraun Peninsula, across Achill Sound from Achill Island, a significant area of land has been (commercially) forested in recent times.

An interesting feature of the Achill landscape are the areas of machair – flat, extensive plains of wind-blown sand which develop behind sandy beaches. This phenomena is unique to the north-west coast of Ireland and parts of Scotland. There are three areas of machair on Achill, at Dugort, Valley and Keel. This rare habitat is of special scientific interest and is protected by EU directives.