Bunnacurry: Island History and Salt Tradition

Bunnacurry offers several ways to explore Achill’s history: the Achill Heritage Centre brings together photographs, memorabilia, historical documents and artefacts with a genealogy service. There are also visible monastic ruins and the story of salt, told at the Achill Island Sea Salt visitor centre. Local history, personal family research and the culture of a product are distinct topics to weigh up as you plan your trip.

Achill’s history and personal connections

The Achill Heritage Centre displays old photographs, memorabilia, historical documents and artefacts from more than 200 years of island life. As an interpretive visitor centre, it focuses on the history of Achill Island and the people who live there. The various collection items offer a broad perspective on island life over an extended period.

The centre also offers a genealogy service based on an extensive database of historical records. This is a different way of exploring the past from the exhibition: rather than looking at the island’s history as a whole, genealogy focuses on historical records and family history. If you are interested in your own family roots, this service is a distinct part of the visit.

Monastic ruins and local history

The ruins of the Franciscan monastery can still be seen in Bunnacurry today. The monastery was used for many years to educate local children. Its history therefore encompasses not only religious heritage, but also a long-standing educational role in the village.

A route leads through the village to a tree-lined gateway to Bunnacurry Monastery. The route and the visible ruins offer different points of reference for exploring the village and its monastic history. When choosing a holiday rental, your interest in Bunnacurry’s culture can be a useful guide: consider whether local history is one of the themes you want to shape your stay.

Salt history, tastings and local products

The Achill Island Sea Salt visitor centre uses immersive and interactive exhibitions to explore the product’s significance to the history, heritage and culture of Achill Island. A self-guided tour covers the history of salt production and its revival on Achill. During the tour, you can sample the producer’s award-winning products. As visitor arrangements may change, check the latest details about the tour and tastings before planning your visit.

The on-site shop stocks the full range of Achill Island Sea Salt products, along with selected Irish artisan foods and gifts. The Salt Dock serves single-origin coffee from Carrow Coffee in County Sligo and homemade sweet treats. The visitor centre’s offering therefore ranges from the history of salt production and an opportunity to taste the products to goods and light refreshments. When comparing Bunnacurry’s attractions, the interactive interpretation of the salt tradition sits alongside the collections and monastic history.

More perspectives in County Mayo

In the wider destination of County Mayo, the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park offers workshops, talks and guided tours throughout the year. Objects, rare archival photographs and films bring Ireland’s rural past to life. The gardens at Turlough Park are home to a diverse range of birdlife, flora and fauna, and are designated as a Green Heritage site. For culture enthusiasts, exhibitions sit alongside a garden with its own focus on nature and heritage.

Knock Shrine offers another historical perspective: the site tells the story of the 1879 apparition at Knock and its development into an international pilgrimage destination. Croagh Patrick, meanwhile, is 764 m high and has been a pilgrimage destination since pre-Christian times. The main summit route starts in Murrisk on the Louisburgh Road (R335) and is 7 km long, including the return journey. At 59.9 km and taking three days, the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail offers a different kind of hike; it combines ancient monastic heritage with the mountain scenery of County Mayo and views of Clew Bay.

This question helps you decide what you would like to focus on during your trip, without treating the different places to visit as interchangeable.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Murrisk, The Quay, Coogue, Sheean, Ross Port, Mallaranny, Westport, Swinford.

For the wider travel guide: County Mayo.