Dwarfed by its magnificent neighbour, Achillbeg lies to the south east of the dominant landmass with which it shares a name. It forms the pinnacle of an inverted triangle and was once connected to Achill itself. Now, a narrow sound separates the two Achills through which a powerful current flows.

Three popular beaches have been forced to lower their coveted Blue Flag.

Donal Hickey takes a look back at the great days 2016 gave us for the outdoors.

John Lennon and Yoko had a love for Ireland, buying an island off Co Mayo. His visits to the area caused a mighty stir as chef, Johnny Carroll tells Jonathan deBurca Butler

A severe weather alert remains in place today after torrential rain sparked localised flash flooding, leading to the cancellation or postponement of a number of sporting fixtures — most notably Listowel Races.

Beaches and marinas across the country are bathing in the warm waters of European approval — 86 of them have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status.

A TD and his mother narrowly avoided becoming victims of Ireland’s ambulance crisis after phone calls for help were met with major delays — a year after his wife’s brother died in circumstances where there had been a delay in the arrival of an ambulance.

Up to half of all emergency 999 calls in Dublin are delayed because there is no nearby ambulance, a report has found.

Storms that ravaged Ireland’s coast at the start of the year have cost several beaches their coveted Blue Flag award.

Eighty blue flag awards have been given to beaches right around the country.

Caroline Delaney got on her bike and followed the 42km Greenway trail in Mayo.

Plans to include cycle-ways in upgrades to tourist routes along the west and south coasts could be in jeopardy following An Bord Pleanála’s rejection of a €65m development on the Dingle Peninsula.

A retiring judge yesterday blasted plans for a new €21 million courthouse in Cork.

1) Fota House & Gardens, Co Cork

An EU think-tank begins in West Cork today on how the region and other tourism hot spots can best promote themselves as “must see” destinations on the international stage.

Seán McCárthaigh experiences some of the diverse attractions on offer in Westport.

A LONG-HORNED king of the hills, which must have been bemused by the curiosity of thousands of humans over the weekend, will today be returned to his fastness in the Kerry mountains.

Catherine Fulvio, Mulranny, Co Mayo

WHEN the Great Southern Hotel opened in Mulranny, rail travel was king.

Thirty-one Garda stations are to close, while a further 10 will operate on reduced opening hours, under cost-saving plans announced by Justice Minister Alan Shatter.

SATURDAY

AS I STAND at the Mulranny Park Hotel in Co Mayo on day one of a weekend trip, my eye races over the empty spaces, trying to comprehend the beauty of the interlocking mountains, the sweep of the sea, the sense of boundless landscape.

The number of Irish beaches securing coveted Blue Flag status has hit an all-time high.

FOOD producers in Mayo will see their talents showcased as part of the innovative gourmet trail, the Great Western Greenway, Irish winner of the European Destination of Excellence Award.

Two female children have been taken to hospital in Co. Mayo after they were hit by a car.

I HAVE rediscovered the joys of cycling, after decades out of the saddle.

The High Court has today quashed a coroner's decision to exclude a Health and Safety Authority (HSA) report at the inquest into the death of a 22-year-old woman in a traffic accident.

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley has praised the annual National Tidy Towns Competition as one of the great Irish traditions “like the All-Ireland.”

Tommy Barker finds a gem facing on to the quays in picturesque Newport.

Doctors have strongly criticised the current system of regulating the profession, saying it is failing them and their patients.

An inspection blitz carried out in the wake of the Navan bus crash has uncovered serious safety flaws at local authority roadworks across the entire country.

IT will be years before alternative medicine practitioners are subject to regulation, Fine Gael claimed yesterday.

Evelyn Ring

THE Department of Health is considering the introduction of strict procedures for the registration of alternative health practitioners after the death of a 49-year-old man in Mayo.

Gardai are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Co Mayo.

The growth of retirement villages will allow more older people to stay independent, it was claimed today.

A man has died after the vehicle he was driving hit a wall in Co Mayo this morning.

IS it not time for changes in the planning legislation to enable the appointment of a planning ombudsman?

WHEN will this entirely silly charade by Government over waiting times for hospital services cease?

A MAYO housing development to cater for the elderly and disabled could be abandoned because of planning difficulties.

Grange golfer wins 2002 Connacht Veterans' Open Championship at Loughrea GC.

A coach carrying 50 youngsters has left the road between Mulranny and Achill Island.