Table of Contents
- 1 When was the Achill bridge built?
- 2 How long is the Michael Davitt bridge?
- 3 What does the name Achill mean?
- 4 Can you drive onto Achill Island?
- 5 Why is it called Achill Sound?
- 6 How did Achill get its name?
- 7 How did the Michael Davitt Bridge get its name?
- 8 Where is the Michael Davitt Bridge in Ireland?
When was the Achill bridge built?
1887
Davitt officially opened the bridge in 1887. The 1887 bridge was designed for horse-drawn traffic and deteriorated with the advent of heavier motorized traffic in the 1900s.
How long is the Michael Davitt bridge?
740 ft
It is 6.5m (21.5 ft) wide, 225.5m (740 ft) long and weighs 390 tons. The bridge is illuminated at night by LED lighting integrated into the bridge design.
How long is Achill Island bridge?
740ft
The Michael Davitt bridge is 21ft 6in in width, 740ft in length and weighs 390 tonnes.
Is Achill really an island?
The island is 87% peat bog. The parish of Achill consists of Achill Island, Achillbeg, Inishbiggle and the Corraun Peninsula….Achill Island.
| Native name: Acaill, Oileán Acla | |
|---|---|
| Total islands | 3 (Achill,Innisbiggle and Achillbeg islands) |
| Major islands | Achill |
| Area | 36,572 acres (14,800 ha) |
| Coastline | 128 km (79.5 mi) |
What does the name Achill mean?
Origin of Achill’s Name in Co. It has been suggested that the name may mean ‘look-out, prospect’; the idea sometimes advanced that it may be related to the Latin word aquila, ‘an egale’, seems groundless.
Can you drive onto Achill Island?
Yes! You can drive straight over to Achill Island thanks to a nice big bridge connecting the island to the mainland.
Where is Achill Island in Ireland?
County Mayo
Achill Island, mountainous island off the west coast of Ireland. It is part of County Mayo, joined to the mainland by a bridge across Achill Sound.
What does Achill mean in Irish?
The name occurs eleswhere throughout Ireland, most notably as the ancient name of the Hill of Skreen in County Meath. It has been suggested that the name may mean ‘look-out, prospect’; the idea sometimes advanced that it may be related to the Latin word aquila, ‘an egale’, seems groundless.
Why is it called Achill Sound?
It lies on the east coast of Achill Island and is the first settlement one reaches after crossing the Michael Davitt Bridge, a swing bridge that joins Achill Island to Corraun Peninsula on the mainland. Achill Sound is also the name of the waterway separating Achill Island from the Irish mainland.
How did Achill get its name?
At 24km east-west and 15km northsouth, Achill is by far our largest island. It was linked by a bridge across the choppy waters of the Achill Sound in 1887 and named after the co-founder of the Land League, Michael Davitt.
Do you need to get a ferry to Achill Island?
Bus, Rail & Road Travel to Achill Island, Ireland Achill is the largest of Ireland’s Islands and has been connected to the mainland by bridge since 1887, so no need for you to worry about ferry times, just drive straight on to the island.
Can you get a ferry to Achill Island?
Achill Island & Inishturk Alan & Brian operates a scheduled service to Achill (Cloughmore) every Wednesday to collect the doctor. Visitors can also travel on this trip – the times differ from week to week so please call ahead to book. They also provide a charter service to Achill Island on demand.
How did the Michael Davitt Bridge get its name?
It was named for Michael Davitt, 19th Century Irish social campaigner, Fenian, and founder of the National Land League. Davitt officially opened the bridge in 1887. The 1887 bridge was designed for horse-drawn traffic and deteriorated with the advent of heavier motorized traffic in the 1900s.
Where is the Michael Davitt Bridge in Ireland?
The Michael Davitt Bridge ( Irish: Droichead Mhícheál Mhic Dháibhéid) is a swing bridge in County Mayo, Ireland that crosses from Achill Island to the Mainland. The plan for a bridge to connect Achill Island to the Corraun Peninsula was considered in the early 1880s.
When was the Michael Davitt Bridge in Mayo County replaced?
The 1887 bridge was designed for horse-drawn traffic and deteriorated with the advent of heavier motorized traffic in the 1900s. In 1947 the Mayo County Council planned to demolish and replace the bridge.
How old was Michael Davitt when he started working?
In August 1861, at the age of 15, he found work in a local post office owned by Henry Cockcroft, who also ran a printing business. He joined the Mechanics’ Institute and continued to read and study, attending lectures on various topics.