Island hopping: Getaways without leaving the country

Orla Neligan has getaway options for those who want to see if its the island life for them

Keem Beach, Achill Island, Co Mayo

Achill, Mayo

Tucked into the far west corner of Achill Island you’ll find a perfect crescent of golden sand otherwise known as Keem Beach, voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe by Lonely Planet. It’s one of the main reasons people flock to Ireland’s largest island, but there are plenty more trump cards: it’s both serene and dramatic at once with sheer cliffs and rolling hills and is the end (or the beginning depending on your journey) of the Great Western Greenway, one of the country’s best car-free cycling/walking trails. You can hike to Croaghaun Mountain to survey the Atlantic rollers that break off Ireland’s highest sea cliffs, spend a rainy day at the Achill Experience Aquarium, go dolphin spotting or surfing at Keel strand, canoeing on Keel lake, visit pirate queen Grace O’Malley’s castle or savour the atmosphere and a pint at Gielty’s pub, where you can legitimately say you had a drink in the most-westerly pub in Europe.