Sheltered between steep slopes in the west of Achill Island, Keem Bay is a perfect horseshoe-shaped beach reachable by a single windy road.
The remote spot recently made the cut in Conde Nast Travellers’ 34 best beaches in the world, ranking number 12 after Grand Anse, Grenada.
With “staggering cliff-top views”, “malachite waters” and “soft biscuit sand”, as put by Conde Nast, the sheltered coastline keeps a low profile – in fact, it’s “almost unknown” to most visitors.
Keem Bay has much appeal thanks to its picturesque landscape with sand and foliage-covered hills, and also a unique quirk in that the only way in is by boat or to reach the Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point.
A local guide, Peter Wortmann described Keem in Achill Island as “one of my [his] all-time favourite places in Ireland“.
Sharing a review on Google, he revealed that he has visited the bay for 40 years and done a lot of sea angling there. While accessible all year round, the guide said that Keem is “most beautiful” in early spring and winter.
Before even venturing down to the beach, the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point offers incredible views from above – even in poor conditions.
One visitor shared on Google Reviews: “Weather was terrible, but among fog, rain and wind I found natural and monumental beauty. Wish I could be there again on sunny day.”
With outstanding beauty, it’s no surprise the location was used in Martin McDonagh’s 2022 film, The Banshees of Inisherin.
Scenes for the blockbuster were filmed on the islands of Inishmore and Achill, off the west coast of the Republic of Ireland and included Colm Doherty’s Cottage which sits at the head of Keem Beach.
Its on-screen appearance may have attracted more visitors to the Irish beach than usual, according to one recent visitor who claimed that the road to Keem had “traffic worse than the M50”.
Sharing a review on Tripadvisor, Jambacy wrote: “I tried to go to Keem beach on a Saturday afternoon and the traffic was ridiculous before I had even got to the first car park and public toilets. I turned and went back to Keel Beach for a swim.”
The visitor, who travelled from Dublin did find a ‘sweet spot’ the following day, however, when they discovered the beach had completely emptied out.
Jambacy said: “I went back the next morning at 8am and it was perfect. There are two food vans and two sets of public toilets.”
Describing the bay as “fab” and less rocky than nearby Keel, the beachgoer praised the “crystal clear water” that washes ashore.
They did caveat the appeal of the beach by revealing that there are tents or campervans everywhere, despite signs warding them off.
The Tripadvisor member added: “I think there is a bit of hype regarding the beach since the film but all the campervans and tents are kind of spoiling access for everyone getting to swim there as well as no proper car spots marked out and positioning of the food vans. I’d say it’s definitely worth a swim there first thing in the morning or later in the evening locals had told me.”
