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ACHILL
The mountains of Mayo, including summits of 2000 feet and upwards are seen, right, and several good sea-trout streams issuing from them are crossed. Mulrany (18 ½ m. ; Pub. Ho.) is a charming spot, and elsewhere would be the site of an attractive watering place. There is a pier to protect the little harbour, but it does not seem to be used by the fishermen.
The road now enters the Carraun Peninsula, a mass of moorland mountains, nearly 2000 feet high, joined to the mainland by an isthmus, little more than half-a-mile wide. The road now divides. [That on the right goes northward, a dreary drive most of the way, past Ballycroy (Col. Clive), 12 ½ m., to Bangor, 22 ½ m., and Belmullet, 35 m.] The left-hand branch is the one you take. It presently skirts Bellacragher Bay, and then winds round to the westward, down to Achill Sound (27 m. ; Inn) which, except with the tide in, is to the S. a sandy flat, guarded by hills, which on the mainland exceed 1700 ft. On the N. side there is a good width of water at all times, but the shores are featureless. The year 1888 has secured a lasting record in Achill history by the completion and opening free of an iron viaduct-bridge (with a swivel opening) across the Sound. The cost was £6,000, of which more than a fourth part was given by Mr. J. G. Porter (of Belle Isle, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh) and his sister.
Achill Island
Accommodation. Besides the “Hotel” at the Sound the only tolerable quarters are at Dugort, where the Slievemore Hotel is reasonable and comfortable. Of Public Houses there are five, but you will not trouble them, except on the principle that any port is welcome in a storm. They are situated as follows :- on the road between the Sound and Dugort, at Cashel and Chapel Cross; down the Sound, about half-way between the Bridge and Achilbeg; at Keel; at Dooagh.
Achill, in shape something like a boot, sole upwards, with the toe pointing westward, is a vast moorland, hilly on the E. and inland, mountainous, with summits between 1500 and 2200 ft., along the N. and W. coast. . Geologically, the island is-a mass of mica-slate, and its area of 35,283 acres is for the most part heathery, with considerable districts of bog, and in spite of its teeming population of 5000 persons, the cultivated portions only seem to dot the great waste. The holdings usually comprise a patch of rye or oats, and another of potatoes. The live stock consists of pigs, some small cows, and a good many poultry, which usually share the wretched windowless and chinmeyless hut (with a thatched barrel-roof) with
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