Mayo Gems: Doohoma is steeped in history
This week's Mayo Gems series sees Tom Gillespie taking a trip to north Mayo and wonderful Doohoma. Check it out.
BEING a coastal county we have some of the finest beaches in the country. One gem is hidden away in north Mayo and is noted for its outstanding natural beauty, and an extensive panorama of sea, sky and mountain surroundings.
The location is Doohoma, a village situated approximately 15 miles south-west of Bangor Erris, overlooking Achill Island to the south.
The Doohoma peninsula is almost an island, being connected to the mainland of Erris only by a narrow isthmus at Geesala.
Originally known in old Irish as Dumhaigh Thuama, the 'sounding sandy banks', then in Gaelic as Du Thuama, it has now been anglicised as Doohoma.
To the south, Achill Island lies approximately two miles across Tallaghan Bay, with Sliabh Mór and the towering cliffs of Achill Head dominating.
To the west of Doohoma Head, the islands of the Iniskeas and Duvillan, among many others, can be clearly seen. These are noted for their rich archaeological and spiritual histories, and can be accessed by arrangement with local boat owners.
Fishing has a long and proud tradition in Doohoma, and this is continued today by a number of boats who engage in net-fishing for wild Atlantic salmon.
These are processed by Eagle Isle Seafoods, a smoked salmon plant in the village, which exports extensively to Europe and America. Lobster, crab and mackerel fishing also takes place at Doohoma Head and the surrounding waters.
Doohoma is noted for its beautiful beach (pictured), which is never crowded or polluted, due to its isolation. It is ideal for swimming, as well as such sports as surfing and sailing.
The townland received nationwide renown, both in the 1970s and more recently with the screening of the RTÉ documentary 'Doohoma'. This dealt with the theme of emigration to England and the effect on local families.
In recent years, however, a number of first and second-generation natives have returned to take advantage of the improving economic climate.
Like other parts of Mayo, Doohoma was adversely affected during the Famine years of the 1840s and 1850s. The population of 455 people in 1841 was more than halved to 218 people by 1851.
After the Famine, mass burials took place on the sandbanks and, despite repeated requests by the local people for a proper cemetery, the requests were repeatedly rejected by the civil authorities. Eventually, in 1926, 300 local men erected a sod wall, which was later consecrated by Bishop James Naughton.
Eventually Mayo County Council granted some money to erect a stone wall to replace the sod ditch. Later local residents were unsuccessful in their endeavours to get a road built from the sandbanks to the cemetery, so in 1967 over 100 volunteers built a road to improve access. In 1989 the council tarred the road for the first time.