ACHILL

mountainous island off the west coast of Ireland, joined to the mainland by a bridge across Achill Sound. A part of County Mayo, the island has an area of 56 square miles (145 square km), and its highest points are the quartzite peaks of Slieve Croaghaun (2,182 feet ) and Slieve More (2,201 feet ). The landscape is dominated by wild moorlands and spectacular coastal scenery. Farming and fishing provide some livelihood; supplementary income is obtained from tourism and by the migration of agricultural labourers to England and Scotland in summer. In the south, at Kildavnet, there are ruins of a 12th-century church and a 15th-century castle. Pop. (1991) 2,853.