Achill Island / Acaill

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Achill Island (Irish: Acaill, Oileán Acla) in County Mayo is the largest island of Ireland, and is situated off the west coast. It has a population of 2,700. Its area is 57 square miles (147.6 km²). Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Achill Sound and Polranny, so it is possible to drive onto the island. This is a causeway and swing bridge which allows the passage of small boats. A bridge was first completed here in 1887, and replaced by the current structure in 1949. Other centres of population include the villages of Keel, Dooagh, Dooega and Dugort. The island's Gaelic football pitch and two secondary schools are on the mainland at Polranny. Early settlements are believed to have been established on Achill around 3000 BCE. A paddle dating from this period was found at the crannog near Dookinella.

The island is 87 per cent peat bog. The parish of Achill also includes the Corraun peninsula. The people of Corraun consider themselves Achill people, and most natives of Achill refer to this area as being "in Achill". In the summer of 1996, the RNLI decided to station a lifeboat at Kildownet.

Is é Acaill an t-oileán is mó in Éirinn. Tá 2700 duine ina gcónaí ann. Tá achar 57 míle cearnach ann.
Tá leithinis an Chorráin i bparóiste Acla.
Tá an leath thoir d'Oileán Acla agus leithinis an Chorráin i nGaeltacht Acla, ach tá i bhfad níos mó Gaeilge sa Chorráin anois.