Atlantic’n’Riverside Caravan & Camping Park--- Second report below--- Fishing site
Easkey
Ballina
County Mayo
Ireland

Tel: 00 353 96 49001 (from UK)

Contact: Mrs L. Smith

Site visited March 2002

Cost (1999): approx IE£6 for 2 adults - hot showers included (I think!)

All types of unit accepted. Open April to September

Directions: From Dromore West take the R297 (T40) for 4 miles to Easkey village. The campsite is situated behind the post office.

This site is in a fantastic position being, as the name suggests, bordered on one side by the Atlantic and on the other by the River Easkey. For the anglers, there is FREE fishing in the river from the site and it is apparently famous for salmon and sea trout.

Facilities at this site were excellent - there were even flowers in the ladies toilets when we stayed there. I seem to remember that the showers were free; the toilet blocks were definitely well maintained and extremely clean. As usual, there is a camper’s kitchen for those rainy days, and also a TV/common room. The site slopes slightly in places, and there are no hook-ups as far as I recall. There was a very friendly site dog around when we stayed there and dogs certainly appeared to be welcome.

You can walk along the riverbank opposite the site to the coast. This is a rugged coastline, with cliffs and crashing waves and the ruins of Roslee Tower silhouetted against the sky. The cliffs face northwest and we saw a spectacular sunset while we were there, with glorious, blazing reds and oranges pouring through the gaps in the racing clouds. It actually looked far too extravagant to be real.

Easkey is a small village with several shops and a handful of pubs. The area is something of a surfers paradise; apparently it’s the best-known surfing area in Ireland.

This area is really picturesque and well worth a few days visit - I’m hoping to go back and spend a bit more time there.

Janette Lee. CLIC. March 2002

Atlantic’n Riverside Caravan & Camping Park--- Fishing site
Easkey
Ballina
County Mayo

Tel 00 353 96 49001 (from UK)

Site visited August 2002

Very nice site as described in other report.

August 2002 - Campervan with 2 people and 10amp hook-up was 14.35. Showers and hot water free.

Important point to note is that when I visited the site it was up for sale with planning permission for a housing development!

I would come back here again to watch the surfers out by the tower, if the site is still open!

Colum Murphy. CLIC. November 2002

Cong Camping and Caravan Park
Cong Hostel
Lisloughrey
Quay Road
Cong
County Mayo
Ireland

Margaret & Gerry Collins

Tel: +353 (0)94 954 6089
Fax: +353 (0)94 954 6448

E-mail: info@quietman-cong.com
Web site: www.quietman-cong.com/caravan.htm

Site visited summer 2002

The site is about half a mile outside Cong on the Neale road.
Cong seems to be a bit of a tourist trap which makes the site particularly busy in August and they appear to be loath to turn away anyone with the result that there is a crowded feeling in parts of the site.

It is a very clean efficient site. There are only about 5 showers, which would normally not be enough considering the size of the site, but adequate because the extra 75c charge tends to keep down the numbers using them. What really got up my nose was the 1.00 charge for hot water to wash dishes etc.

Apparently they have free nightly showings of ’The Quiet Man’ but as I had seen it many times before I didn’t avail of this facility.

Charge for a campervan and 2 people was 14.00 and 3.00 for electricity.

Colum Murphy. CLIC. November 2002

Keel Sandybanks Caravan & Camping Park--- Second report below--- Fishing site
Keel
Achill Island
County Mayo
Ireland

Tel: (+353) (0)98 43211

E-mail: info@achillcamping.com
Web site: www.achillcamping.com/

Contact : P. Nestor

Site visited March 2002

Cost (2000): about IE£7 for 2 adults

All types of unit accepted. Open May to September.

Directions: Travelling from Westport on the N59, take the R319 (L141) towards Achill Island. Cross the bridge over to the island, then continue about 8 miles to Keel. The site is well signposted, on the left-hand side of the road & next to the beach.

This is quite a big site, nice and level in a cracking spot right on the beach. There are a couple of toilet blocks, meaning that facilities are within easy reach of all pitches, although only one block was open when we were there are it was the low season. There are hard-standings and plenty of electric hook-ups. I think showers were free; facilities were generally good and well maintained, with pot-washing and laundry facilities. There is a TV/common room but the weather was so nice we didn’t bother using it.

The beach at Keel is wonderful - a long expanse of clean white sand with safe bathing. Being on the Atlantic Coast it does tend to be windy, although this makes it excellent for kite flying. The site has fantastic views and one of my best camping memories is watching from my old VW camper, Gertie, with a glass of wine in my hand as a huge full moon rose majestically over the top of Minaun Mountain on a crystal clear night.

Achill Island itself is a beautiful and atmospheric place. Not far from the campsite is a deserted village, once the largest settlement on the island. It really is a tragic spot that words cannot really describe. A couple of websites are worth a visit: www.achill-island.com/ has are some excellent photos and information, and there is information about the deserted village on www.mayo-ireland.ie/Mayo/Towns/Achill/Achill.htm.

Keel itself is a pleasant village, with a few shops for provisions and hotels with public bars for food and drink. As usual, we ended up talking to people in the bars - most places do live up to the Irish reputation for friendliness.

For those anglers amongst us (Madcaravanner?) Achill Island has road signs telling you what fish can be caught in almost very place (or plaice??) on the island. So, under the sign for, say, Dugort, might be a sign pointing in the same direction saying pollack, dab & flounder!

Janette Lee. CLIC. March 2002

Keel Camping and Caravan Park--- Fishing site
Keel
Achill Island
County Mayo
Ireland

Tel: (+353) (0)98 43211

Site visited summer 2002

Situated in the village of Keel which is on the south side of the island.

Very pleasant view and location on the edge of a beach but has the feel of a shoddy holiday site. It isn’t helped by the fact that the toilets and wash areas seem to be open to all and sundry using the beach.

The day we were there it was so windy you could just about walk so we weren’t able to try out the beach properly.

Campervan and two people 12.50. electricity (6amp) 1.50. The showers were 1.00 extra and not very clean at that.
Wouldn’t rush back here.

Colum Murphy. CLIC. summer 2002

Louisborough/Westport
County Mayo
Ireland

Site visited summer 2002

We set out to stay in Louisborough but found the site there very boggy so we moved on. We had noticed this site on the way so went back to it. I made the site title up using the name of the owner. I don’t know if it has an official name, it certainly wasn’t on the entrance. It is situated almost halfway on the Westport to Louisborough road on the left hand side.

Michael told us he started the site 36 years ago and most of the facilities are probably the originals from then, (except for the price which is quite modern). There are some hardstandings (a few stones scattered on grass) and the rest is park where you can. The hook-up cables seem to run from all sorts of places!

What makes this site a bit special is Michael’s pleasant chat, its quiet location right below Croagh Patrick and the beautiful bays and beaches within 1km opposite.

Campervan with two people was 13 and electricity 1e per night. Showers free.
Despite the very basic conditions I would return here again.

Colum Murphy. CLIC. November 2002

Seal Caves Camping and Caravan Park
Dugort
County Mayo
Ireland

Tel: 00 353 98 43262

Site visited summer 2002

It is on the north of Achill Island in Dugort which is an area, not a village. Do not get it confused with Lavelle’s which is quite close by.

A wonderful quiet location looking out on an almost deserted beach and within walking distance of several other beaches. The pitches are mostly hardstanding and a little difficult to manoeuvre onto. The facilities are a bit tired looking but clean.

Can be a bit of a problem with evening midges in August (applies to much of the West of Ireland) so bring some repellent.
Small shop near the site which has basics only. There is an hotel about 100m away for an evening drink or food if you are desperate.

Campervan with 2 people only 10.10 and electricity (13amp) 2.00
Definitely the best of the sites on Achill Island and a place to visit if you like quiet surroundings.

Colum Murphy. CLIC. November 2002

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