Mayo Gems: Put Achill aquarium on 'must visit' list
WITH the Covid-19 restrictions continuing and the opportunity for national or overseas holidays well into the future, Tom Gillespie is focusing on locations in Mayo – some well known, others more 'hidden' - where, hopefully, readers can visit post coronavirus.
This week he's off to Achill:
MAYO’S first aquarium on Achill Island will be a welcoming place to visit after the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
The Achill Experience features local indigenous species that can be found in the waters off Achill Island.
There are themed salt water tanks and an open ‘touch’ tank that allows the visitor to fully engage with the local sea life.
The facility also houses a re-built Deserted Village boley house common to Achill throughout the 18th and 19th centuries where visitors can step back in time to the Famine era and understand exactly what life was like in those times.
The Parish of Achill has so much to offer, with many places to visit and rich local heritage, that Comhlacht Forbartha Aitiúil Acla (CFAA), the Achill local development company, have created an offline tourist tablet which people can rent and tour the parish.
The tablet allows users receive a personal tour of Achill and everything it has to offer.
The highlight of the Achill Experience in Crumpaun, Keel, is the aquarium where visitors can experience the open ‘touch’ tank.
Since it opened in mid-April 2016, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the facility and plans are in place to extend the aquarium eventually to an 15-tank experience.
Kenneth Deery, a director of CFAA, explained: “Achill is a beautiful location that is steeped in history. However, there was no one place that could tell the story of Achill. If it rained there was no indoor visitor experience.
“The Achill Experience changes this and uses technology in a clever and practical way that allows the tourist to be informed and experience our parish on their terms with our off-line tablet application and visitor centre. It gives visitors to Achill something unique and different.”
The old building was about 4,500 square feet and started as an old school many years ago. Extensions were added as funding become available.
When reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown the Achill Experience can be found in the Achill Local Development Company (CFAA) building in Crumpaun, Keel, Achill, F28 TX49.
Bookings can be made by calling (098) 43292 or at enjoy@achillexperience.ie.
If you would like to recommend a hidden gem in your area, email details to gillespietom49@gmail.com.