The Deserted Village, Achill Island, Co. Mayo |
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The Deserted Village is located on the southern slopes of Slievemore Mountain in the townland of Slievemore on Achill Island. The village is divided into 3 segments, locally known as Tuar, Tuar Riabhach and Faiche, names associated with grazing. The settlement itself has no name, being referred to locally as Slievemore, Slewmore, the Boley, Booley Village or, most frequently the Deserted Village. On Bald’s map of Mayo (1809), four placenames occur at Slievemore: Tauler-More, Tourmahiuig, Reealtee and Baal, Reealtee depicting ‘The Star’ (Realt) and Baal which survives in Bal of Dookinella. The townland of Slievemore comprises 3722 acres (1506 hectares) and is the third largest townland on Achill Island. The island and townland are dominated by Slievemore Mountain, at 2214 feet (671m), the highest mountain on the island. The geology of the area comprised schist, mica schist and quartzite, interspersed with small deposits of minerals such as malachite, haematite, tourmaline, cobalt and copper. Ceramic evidence from archaeological excavations indicates that the latest phase of settlement spanned the 17th to the 19th century. |
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