Visit the most westerly pub in Europe
Tom Gillespie brings his Mayo Gems series, which has ran this summer, to an end this week with a visit to Europe's most westerly pub and restaurant. Well worth a visit.
WITH the pubs open again, albeit with strict social distancing regulations, there is one watering hole worth a visit as it holds the unique distinction of being the most westerly pub in Europe.
Gielty's Bar and Restaurant is the last pub on the road of pubs in Achill Island, at the edge of Dooagh village.
As a third generation family run business they know a thing or two about hospitality and pride themselves on their professional service and friendly welcome.
Gielty's was home to music. They were renowned for their traditional music sessions, which will hopefully return when the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Gielty's also includes a large function room, which can cater for up to 180 people – but this will be greatly reduced under the present conditions.
Refurbished in 2005 to a high standard, the bar area is comfortable and spacious and has the largest public TV screen in Achill, a surround sound 65-inch plasma which is perfect for viewing sporting events.
Their coffee shop next door to the pub has window seats overlooking the panoramic view of Clew Bay and Clare Island, Inishturk and Inisboffin. Alan Gielty, who is VFI county chairman in Mayo, said: "We’re located directly on the route of the Wild Atlantic Way and already we have seen a huge uplift in our business, directly attributable to the project. I think the Wild Atlantic Way shows that there are clear opportunities for pubs and other businesses within the drinks and hospitality sector to work with government agencies and make Ireland a great place to enjoy the scenery, as well as the food and craic of a real Irish pub."
Nearby Keem Bay, at the western end of Achill Island, is one of the most picturesque bays in Ireland. It is accessible by road over a twisting clifftop route on the side of Croaghaun Mountain.
Keem Bay is virtually uninhabited – the only building is a former coastguard station – and provides a peaceful and magnificent retreat from the 21st century.
At the heart of Keem Bay is the beautiful fine sandy beach. This strand is bordered on two sides by cliffs – to the east by the slopes of Croaghaun Mountain and to the west by a spar called Moyteoge. At the top of this spar, at an elevation of about 200 metres, is a former coastguard watch-house. For hillwalkers, this spot marks the start of a a breathtaking 1.5km walk along the top of the cliffs of Benmore towards Achill Head, the most westerly point of Achill Island.
At the far end of the stepped valley of Keem Bay is the booley village of Bunowna. This consists of the remains of about 17 circular stone cottages which were formerly used as a summer residence for herders tending their cattle in summer pasture.
The eastern wall of this valley is formed by the slopes of Croaghaun (668 metres). The north face of this mountain consists of steep cliffs, said to be the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
Keem Bay has a strong connection with fishing. It was the location for much of Achill's shark fishing industry during the 1950s and 1960s. At that time the basking shark was a frequent visitor to the waters around Keem Bay, and it was hunted for its liver oil which was exported from Achill to provide fine grade lubricant for the aerospace industry.
Much of this fishing took place in currachs, the traditional canvas-covered wooden vessels of the west of Ireland. Keem Bay is most likely the location used by the artist Paul Henry when painting his famous canvas 'Launching the Currach'.