Keem Bay, Achill Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Keem Bay, Achill Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland

The Blue Flag beach at Keem Bay is one of the most popular beauty spots on Achill Island. This bay has a long association with fishing, including the hunting of the basking shark in the 1940s and 50s. Spotters would sit on the banks of Moyteoge (the spar of land visible to the right of the beach in this picture) and direct the fishermen in their traditional canvas covered currachs. The oil of the basking shark was extracted and exported as a fine grade lubricant for the aerospace industry.

Keem Bay is still popular with anglers and fishermen, whether it be fishing off rocks or sea angling from charter boats. Fishing parties are particularly welcome on Achill, and can expect to find as wide a variety of specimens as anywhere in Ireland. Check our accommodation on Achill Island section for details of hotels on Achill Island, bed and breakfast accommodation, or self catering Irish holiday cottages.