New guide to Achill’s archaeology launched in Dooagh

THE book, A Guide to Archaeological and Historical Sites on Achill, Achillbeg and the Corraun Peninsula, has been launched in Dooagh by well-known archaeologist Michael Gibbons.

The book, by Achill-native Dr. Theresa McDonald, packs 6,000 years of history and some 85 sites into a compact 111 pages. The guide is organised chronologically, starting with the earliest prehistoric monuments on Achill and runs right up to the twentieth century.

It includes well known sites like the Achill Mission and Kildavnet Castle, as well as lesser known gems like the submerged prehistoric forest at Dugort beach or the promontory forts along the Atlantic Drive.

Each site is introduced in an accessible manner, and the text is illustrated throughout with colour photographs. The book includes a full-colour fold-out map by East-West Mapping showing the location of all the sites included.

Theresa McDonald’s guide will be of invaluable assistance steering you around the sites of Achill, Achillbeg and the Corraun peninsula.

"Achill Island, Achillbeg and the Corraun peninsula have some fantastic archaeological sites. I’ve been lucky enough to have visited and recorded many of them in the course of my career as an archaeologist.

"I hope the reader, local and visitor, will marvel and appreciate the variety of archaeological and historical sites that chronicle the longevity of settlement in this western corner of Ireland," she stated.

The book was published in late 2016 and its official launch by Michael Gibbons was organised by Achill Historical and Archaeological Society, of which Dr McDonald is a founder member. Theresa McDonald is also the founder of the Achill Archaeological Field School.

The book is available for purchase through several outlets in Achill, Westport, Castlebar, Sligo and Galway and can also be purchased from the Achill Field School website: https://achill-fieldschool.com/shop/achill-guide-book/.