Slievemore Deserted Village: A Haunting Echo of Achill's Past

The Deserted Village at Slievemore is a haunting and evocative historical site located on Achill Island, County Mayo. Situated on the southern-facing slope of Slievemore Mountain, the village consists of the remains of almost 100 traditional stone cottages. These cottages are set along an ancient pathway, mostly aligned in a north-south direction, in one of the island's most sheltered areas. The history of the village spans millennia, with evidence of habitation dating back to the Anglo-Norman period (12th century AD). A megalithic tomb near the village, dating from the 3rd or 4th century BC, suggests human presence in the area as far back as 5,000 years ago. The most recent period of habitation ended in the early 20th century when the cottages were used as 'booley' houses. Booleying was a practice where people lived in different locations during summer and winter, allowing cattle to graze in summer pastures. Families from the villages of Pollagh and Dooagh occupied these cottages during the summer months, returning to their main homes for the winter. Achill is considered one of the last places in Europe to practice this type of settlement. The village is divided into three segments from east to west: Tuar, Tuar Raibhach, and Faiche. The cottages are rectangular with dry stone walls and once had thatched roofs. Most have only one doorway and few windows. Walking through the ruins and adjacent fields, visitors can still see the ridges and furrows used for growing potatoes, offering a glimpse into the past. The reasons for the village's abandonment are not entirely known, but the Great Famine of the 1840s and evictions likely contributed to its decline. Today, the Deserted Village stands as a tranquil place for reflection and remembrance.