This consists of the remains of almost 100 houses set on either side of a pathway on the south facing slope of Slievemore (Gaelic for big mountain). The houses are almost all oriented in a north south direction extending for a distance of one mile. There is evidence that the settlement dates from the 12th century but with the presence nearby of a megalithic tomb maybe much earlier.  Recently the houses were used for ‘booleying’, the practice of minding cattle here during the summer before returning to Dooagh for the winter.

Location of some of the scenes from The Banshees of Inisheerin, you will see stunning scenery on this cliff-top drive along the Atlantic Ocean. The route takes us along Achill Sound to Cloughmore before heading north-west exposing the cliff-top scenery over the Atlantic Ocean. The view from Ashleam Bay is always awe-inspiring whether on a calm or a stormy day.  We continue to the isolated community of Dooega before rejoining the main road heading for the beaches of Keel and Keem.

Build by the Congested Districts Board in the 1800’s for local fishermen who fished from hookers, yawls and curraghs. Salmon caught using nets as long as 5km were set at dusk and hauled at dawn.  The nets were 3m deep as the salmon swim near the surface to sense the fresh water from their birth river.  In the 1970’s  nets were restricted to 1.5km and could only be used in daytime during the week.  Drift net fishing has since been banned in order to conserve stocks. Fish were canned here and exported throughout the world.

Known as the ‘The Tomb of the Celtic Tiger’ it was erected by local a contractor without planning permission over a weekend in November 2011 despite a high court order preventing it. The contractor claimed that he did not need planning permission for the structure as it was an ‘ornamental garden’ and felt that it was a place of reflection.  The structure is in the style of an ancient ceremonial site and is aligned with the solstice. It is 4 metres high, has a diameter of 30 metres and cost €20,000.