Doogort: Trails, Coast and Colony History

Doogort offers several points to consider when planning a trip: trails with named starting points, beach activities in the surrounding area and the history of the Achill Mission. The routes vary in their starting points and levels of difficulty; the Colony Tour and the church explore distinct historical themes.

Trails and their starting points

The Dooagh Trail and the Pollagh Trail both begin at Doogort Strand Car Park. The Doogort Fit Sticks Trail also starts there and ends at the same car park. This clearly identifies the starting point for all three trails. The Valley Loop, by contrast, begins at Golden Strand Beach Car Park in Dugort; the beach is also known as Barnnagappaul Strand.

The Doogort Fit Sticks Trail is rated easy and was developed as an accessible walking route for people with mobility impairments, as well as people of all ages and abilities. It follows a mixture of paved roads and narrow side roads and offers views of Sliabh Mor. Practical trail details may change on site; check them before setting out.

Nearby, the Deserted Village Walk follows the road between Keel and Dugort. The trail is 4.5 km long and rated moderate. This makes it possible to distinguish two of the routes described by their ratings: the Fit Sticks Trail is rated easy, while the Deserted Village Walk is rated moderate. The stated length and route of the second trail offer an additional concrete point of reference.

Beach and nearby activities

Dugort Beach lies 3 km east of the village of Dugort and is also known as Pollawaddy and Silver Strand. Possible activities at the beach include windsurfing, swimming, surfing and walking. Which activities are suitable may vary depending on conditions; suitability therefore depends on the circumstances at the time.

When finding your way around, it is worth distinguishing carefully between beach and starting-point names: the Doogort Fit Sticks Trail starts and ends at Doogort Strand Car Park, while the Valley Loop starts at Golden Strand Beach Car Park. These named points help you tell the trails apart when planning, without combining them into a single circular route.

Colony history and the church

The Colony Tour is a leisurely two-hour walk through the ruins of the historic Achill Mission. It explores the rise and fall of Edward Nangle and his disputes with Dr John MacHale. The walk thus connects the Mission ruins with a specific historical theme.

A house in Doogort is part of the architectural heritage of the so-called Colony. It was founded in 1833 by Reverend Edward Nangle (1799–1883) of the Church of Ireland Missionary Society. The Colony Tour explores Nangle’s story; the house and the Mission ruins represent different aspects of the area’s Colony heritage.

Another historical landmark is Saint Thomas's Church in Doogort. The church belongs to the Church of Ireland and was built in 1852. Along with the Colony history, it offers a distinct perspective on the area’s religious and architectural history, without equating the two subjects.

Discover more destinations: Westport, Murrisk, Killadoon, Charlestown, Glencorrib, Bunnacurry, Mallaranny, Claggan.

For the broader travel overview: County Mayo.