Straddling the picturesque Carrowbeg River on thefinal stretch of its journey to Clew Bay on Ireland’s west coast, Westportboasts a beautiful Georgian town centre with a cosmopolitan array of multicolouredrestaurants, shops and bars. Officially designated a Heritage Town, Westportis the jewel in Mayo’s brilliant green crown – but tear yourself away from thebuzz of the centre and your choices multiply yet again.
Westport scores highlyon just about every imaginable scale for a holiday destination. Within easyreach from the town are safe, sandy beaches and dramatic Atlantic coastlines,first-rate heritage centres and historical hotspots, child-friendly visitorattractions and activity opportunities in astonishing scenic surroundings.
WestportTown Centre
Originally built for the workers on Lord Sligo’s grandWestport House estate, Westportstill benefits from the planning vision of architect James Wyatt, whosetree-lined central Mall contains the tinkling river, criss-crossed with archedstone bridges.
Wyatt’s river crossings, his boulevards and theirbordering network of narrow, inviting streets are all bedecked with flowers.Independent shops, foodie options from every corner of the planet, terrificbars and pubs abound. Also unmissable is the old Quay area, where galleries,boutiques and brasseries cluster around the old coastguard station.
Holy Mountain
Overlooking Westportbenignly from the southern side of Clew Bay is CroaghPatrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain, where the country’s patron saintfasted for 40 days back in 441AD. A chapel to the saint stands atop the ‘TheReek’, which is visited by over 1 million pilgrims every year – along withramblers, history buffs and lovers of a magnificent view.
WestportHouse & Country Park
Situated on the edge of town, WestportHouse is a hugely popular and impressive 18th century pile,drenched in Irish history which is readily available to be soaked up on aguided tour. The mansion isprivately owned by the Browne family, descendants of Grace O’ Malley, the 16th-century‘Pirate Queen of Connaught’, whose castle once stood on the site (you can stillvisit her basement ‘dungeons’). The extensive grounds contain the PirateAdventure Park: thrilling news for all junior pirates.
ActiveWestport
The many Blue Star beaches of ClewBay are safe, spectacular and easily accessible. The area is anatural centre for water sports, such as windsurfing and kayaking, whileAtlantic-facing beaches a little further afield – on AchillIsland and north around Carrowniskey – are recognised surfingcentres. Westport is also one of Ireland’s top seaangling destinations.
The Great Western Greenway cycle route is Ireland’slongest off-road trail for walking and cycling, stretching for more than 30miles north from Westport, then west along thecoast to Achill, offering incredible views of the unusual, island-strewn ClewBay. But you don’t have to stop at the edge of the cliff: other adventureoptions include the thrill of jumping right off into the Atlantic!
Enjoy Westport
While you’re making your mind up which live musicbar to visit, or whether to eat tapas or Italian, Japanese or fresh Irishseafood, pop into the Clew Bay Heritage Centre in the Quay area for afascinating overview of the history of Westportand its environs – from a centre of pagan pilgrimages in 3000BC to one ofIreland’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan towns today.
