
Percy Huet (White Aran), James Gavin (Pipe), Big Mangan (Blue jumper)
Achill is a magical place, but even more so when I look back on my childhood, here are some pictures my father (Eric Hughes) took back in the 60’s. Some great characters including Big Anthony Mangan, James Gavin, Percy Huet (My grandfather), Tony Gallagher and some whose names I cannot remember.
Day’s spent fishing and hanging around pubs at lunchtime, nothing has changed much in my life! One of my earliest memories is being lifted down into the “21” and leaving Purteen to head out to sea. I have added few pictures from recent years and Achill hasn’t changed that much either!

Robin(L)Me(M)Adam(R)

Tony Gallagher

Keem bay circa 1965


Keel beach

Big Mangan enjoying a break


Looking for treasure!

Purteen

Sandybanks

Big Mangan

Sandybanks

Offloading fish

Mum, Robin and Adam Keem Bay

Big Mangan

Tying a lobsters pincers


After fishing Purteen harbour

Boatyard

Heading out

Stormy weather at Purteen

Purteen

Sandybanks, Keel

Learning to gut fish, taught by a master

Blue shark, Purteen

Anyone know the name?

Robin on Sandybanks

Familly picnic

Proud day!

Anyone have a name?

Robin, circa 1961

The lads on the way back in

Combi!

Keem bay

Me(Blond) Robin and big Mangan


Boatyard

Nice salmon

Pic scanned the wrong way round! Purteen

Boatyard

Big Mangan


Dead shark, Purteen

The big man with a massive Wrasse (probably a record)

Sandybanks

Keem bay, Robin and me (the small one)

James Gavin in the “21” around the head

Purteen

Happy days


Waiting to “hang” the shark

The “21”, a great baot still going today

Picnic with June Stewart, Robin, Adam and me (leopard skin strides!)

Percy Huet (White Aran), James Gavin (Pipe), Big Mangan (Blue jumper)

Pipe band

Percy Huet (Bumpy)

Boat building

Purteen 40 years later!

Turf stack today

The deserted village

My dogs having a ball with similar looking creatures

Columbo loving Achill

Lobster pots

Storm coming

Mum (Cynthia Hughes) outside “Greenfields”

My bike in Dougort

Keem Bay today

View from my house on Achill

A few pints before poker!

The Amethest Hotel

Leaving

My dear friend Ben (RIP) who passed away last Christmas in Motorbike crash. Picture taken on Keem bay summer 2013
Hiya! I’m working for Achill Tourism and I’m trying to put together a slideshow of old photos of Purteen and old fishing photos of Achill for the Feile na Mara in a couple of weeks time. would you mind if I used some of yours? They’re great!! Thanks, Siobhan
Hi Siobhan, of course please feel free I would be delighted.
Patrick
Photos of my Granda Big Mangan
thanks for sharing
Photos of my Granda Big Mangan
thanks for sharing
I remember him well I was just a child but he left a lasting impression on me