SlievemoreAbout Slievemore
Slievemore is a mountain on Achill Island in County Mayo, on Ireland’s west coast; its slopes contain a notable stone settlement often called the Deserted Village. The mountain forms part of Achill’s central ridge and is a local high point.
Hikers use routes that cross peat and rocky ground to reach low summits and ridges; the main cultural attraction is the cluster of roughly 80 stone cottages on the mountain’s lower slopes, visible from surrounding roads. The site is compact and popular with visitors interested in rural history.
The stone settlement was occupied in the 18th and 19th centuries and later abandoned; its ruins remain as an example of rural hill farming settlement patterns. The area has been recorded and preserved as an archaeological and cultural site.
Slievemore sits on Achill Island off the coast of County Mayo, connected to the mainland by a causeway; the mountain overlooks the Atlantic and is close to villages such as Keel and Dooagh.
- Archaeology: The stone settlement on the mountain slope is the best-known archaeological feature and is accessible on marked paths from the island’s main roads.
What to See#
- Deserted Village: A group of roughly 80 stone cottages forming an early 19th-century settlement located on the lower slopes of the mountain and known as a well-preserved ‘deserted village’.
Nearby Attractions to Slievemore
Best Time to Visit Slievemore
Best in the summer months for hiking, though weather on the west coast can be changeable year-round.
Weather & Climate near Slievemore
Slievemore's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 3°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1755 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 8° | 0° | 199 mm | overcast | 86% | 10.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 138 mm | overcast | 86% | 10.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 151 mm | overcast | 85% | 9.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 96 mm | overcast | 84% | 8.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Poor | 6° - 11° | 5° | 100 mm | overcast | 84% | 7.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 11° | 98 mm | overcast | 85% | 7.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.9h |
| July | Poor | 10° - 15° | 12° | 105 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.4h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 13° | 135 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.3 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Poor | 9° - 14° | 11° | 154 mm | overcast | 85% | 8.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 11° | 5° | 193 mm | overcast | 86% | 9.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 192 mm | overcast | 86% | 9.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 8° | 1° | 194 mm | overcast | 86% | 10.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
How to Get to Slievemore
Achill Island is reached by road via the Michael Davitt Bridge from the mainland (R319). Slievemore’s common approaches start from the villages of Keel or Dooagh; local maps and seasonal ferry/tourist information for Achill help plan routes.
Tips for Visiting Slievemore
- Start early to avoid afternoon winds and rain that often sweep the Atlantic-exposed slopes.
- Wear waterproof boots - boggy sections and peat can soak boots quickly even on fair days.
- Respect sheep - the mountain is grazed and old stone walls mark private grazing enclosures in places.