Ireland is one in all my favourite international locations to journey in – and it has little to do with the truth that I’ve Irish ancestry, and every little thing to do with the pleasant folks, lovely landscapes, and charming cities all through the nation.
One of my favourite Irish cities is Westport. The small city is cute, with a picture-perfect Georgian metropolis middle that you simply will not wish to depart.
And, regardless of Westport’s small measurement (it is residence to lower than 6500 folks), there’s truly so much to do right here whether or not you are taken with historical past, the outside, or some good previous Irish craic.
Where is Westport, Ireland?
Westport, as its identify would recommend, is positioned on the west coast of Ireland. It’s constructed on the river Carrowbeg, which empties into the Atlantic in Clew Bay in County Mayo.
Westport is roughly midway between Galway and Sligo, making it a superb base for exploring the western a part of Ireland.
What is Westport recognized for?
Westport itself is thought for its charming metropolis middle with Georgian structure, stone bridges, and tree-lined riverfront streets. Westport is a delegated heritage city, and has received “Tidiest Town” accolades a number of occasions.
Westport can also be recognized for being a great base for climbing the close by Croagh Patrick, biking the Great Western Greenway, or visiting one of many a number of blue flag seashores on Clew Bay.
Is Westport, Ireland value visiting?
Yes, I undoubtedly assume it’s! (And I’m not simply saying that as a result of my very own Irish household comes from County Mayo…) Westport is a pleasant little city that is straightforward to achieve and filled with distinctive issues to do. Read on to be taught all about them!
Note: I most just lately visited Westport as a part of a paid partnership with Globus Journeys. I did a brand new Choice Touring journey with them referred to as Green with Envy: Ireland By Design, which was numerous enjoyable! I beforehand visited Westport on my on on an Ireland street journey.
Top issues to do in Westport, Ireland
Here are all of the stuff you will not wish to miss while you go to Westport, Ireland:
1. Visit Westport House
The historical past of Westport actually begins at Westport House.
Centuries in the past, this space was often called Umaill, and was dominated by the Ó Máille clan (of which the well-known “Pirate Queen” Grace O’Malley was part of). The Ó Máille clan constructed a fort close to the top of Clew Bay, and a village grew up round it. It’s identify was Cathair na Mart, which is Westport’s Irish identify right now.
The O’Malley clan’s unique fort was burned down in 1583, and the land ultimately handed (by means of marriage) to the Browne household. In the 1730s, John Browne constructed the present Westport House atop the ruins of the previous O’Malley fort.
Westport House right now is privately owned by the Hughes household, and is an attraction value visiting.
It’s not removed from the middle of present-day Westport (you may stroll if you would like), and you’ll take a tour of the home to be taught all about its historical past. You may even see the unique dungeons, which have been seemingly utilized by the Pirate Queen herself.
If you do not wish to tour the house (or when you’re visiting outdoors of opening hours), you may nonetheless discover the woodland trails and gardens of the Westport Estate without spending a dime!
Westport Estate can also be residence to the Pirate Adventure Park, which is a small kid-focused theme park with rides and points of interest.
2. Explore Westport city
Prior to John Browne growing Westport House, the city of Cathair na Mart was truly located on the home’s entrance garden. Browne determined to maneuver the entire city a few mile inland, and employed architect William Leeson to plan out the brand new city of Westport.
Westport is exclusive in that it is a deliberate city, and you’ll actually see this while you exit and discover.
The city straddles the Carrowbeg River, which has a tree-lined financial institution on all sides (the North Mall and South Mall), that are linked by charming arched stone bridges. South of the river are streets with names like Bridge Street, Shop Street, Quay Street, and many others., and lots of of them meet in a sq. referred to as The Octagon.
There are brightly-colored buildings and many outlets, pubs, and cafes to discover. Definitely permit a while to only wander right here.
3. Listen to stay music in an Irish pub
Speaking of pubs, Westport boasts some nice ones!
Galway will be the “cultural capital” of Ireland and recognized for its stay music, however Westport can also be a great place if you wish to take heed to conventional tunes in a comfy pub.
Some native favourite spots for stay music embody Matt Molloy’s (owned by Matt Molloy himself, who’s a part of the Irish folks band the Chieftains), Porterhouse simply subsequent door, and JJ O’Malleys pub.
The music you may hear in Westport is the down-home, conventional Irish variety the place you may squeeze right into a small pub and sway with strangers to the Irish tunes with a pint in-hand. It’s vital Ireland expertise!
4. Bike the Great Western Greenway
Westport is the start line of the Great Western Greenway, a 26 mile-long (44 kilometers) rail path designed for biking and strolling. The path connects Westport to Achill Island, passing by means of the cities of Newport and Mulranny because it skirts round Clew Bay.
The Greenway is the primary of its variety in Ireland, and gives up nice views of every little thing from Clew Bay to Croagh Patrick and the Nephin Beg Mountains. The Greenway follows an previous transformed rail line, that means it is a light experience with out many inclines.
There are a pair corporations in Westport that may hire you a motorbike, set you up with maps and recommended stops, and allow you to discover the Greenway at your leisure for a day. (Ireland Wild Escapes gives each common bike rent, in addition to electrical bike rent plus assist planning your route.)
5. Cruise Clew Bay
Clew Bay is an always-present function simply outdoors of Westport, and taking a cruise to see its highlights is value placing in your to-do record.
This narrated Clew Bay cruise departs from Westport Harbour within the afternoon, and will get you up near Inishgort Lighthouse, a seal colony, an island that was owned by John Lennon, and extra. Along the way in which you may additionally hear tales about Croagh Patrick and Grace O’Malley; it is an effective way to spend 90 minutes! (Book this cruise right here.)
6. Take a baking class
Lastly, a extremely distinctive factor you are able to do in Westport is to take a hands-on cooking class the place you may be taught to make conventional Irish soda bread and scones from scratch.
The expertise is gorgeous and intimate, and provides you a glimpse into Ireland’s meals traditions. Afterwards, after all, you may get to style your creations alongside a pleasant cup of tea!
This expertise is known as “The Irish Soda Bread Way,” and you’ll ebook it right here.
Things to do close to Westport
Like I discussed earlier, Westport is completely located to discover western Ireland, so listed below are a pair different issues inside a brief drive that you may additionally get pleasure from when you’re in Westport.
1. Climb Croagh Patrick
Rising roughly 2500 toes (765 meters) above the village of Murrisk in County Mayo, Croagh Patrick or “the Reek” is among the most well-known (and holiest) mountains in Ireland.
The pyramid-shaped mountain overlooking Clew Bay has been a website of pilgrimage for hundreds of years, first for pagans, and later for Christians. Croagh Patrick is alleged to be the spot the place Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, spent the 40 days of Lent praying and fasting as a part of his effort to transform Ireland to Christianity. It’s additionally imagined to be the spot from which St. Patrick drove all of the snakes (and demons) out of Ireland.
Today, there is a small church on the high of the Holy Mountain, and folks nonetheless make pilgrimages there. The hottest day to climb The Reek is the final Sunday of July, or “Reek Sunday,” however folks climb it year-round.
You after all do not need to be on pilgrimage to climb Croagh Patrick; anybody is free to climb it, and you’ll count on the mildly strenuous hike to take no less than 3-4 hours. (Be certain to decorate correctly for ANY form of climate when you’re going up it.)
2. Drive round Achill Island
Another must-do close to Westport is to go to Achill Island. This island lies roughly 45 minutes away from Westport, and is the most important offshore island in Ireland. (It’s linked by a bridge, although, so no ferries are needed to go to!)
Achill Island is residence to tall sea cliffs, peat bogs, and a few of Ireland’s greatest seashores. The Wild Atlantic Way passes by means of this island, and touring on is slim seaside roads sure does really feel fairly wild!
The high issues to do on Achill Island embody taking the Atlantic Drive across the southern a part of the island for epic coastal views (must-stop spots embody Cloughmore and the White Cliffs of Ashleam), mountaineering to see the Croaghaun cliffs (the very best sea cliffs in Ireland at 2,257 ft), and visiting a number of the blue flag seashores on the island like Keel Beach and Keem Strand.
What I like probably the most about Achill Island is that it hasn’t actually been found by most vacationers to Ireland but; after I was there, the roads have been largely empty!
Where to remain in Westport
Westport is a well-liked city to go to in Ireland, that means there are many choices for the place to remain!
Some locations I’d advocate embody:
- Westport Plaza Hotel – This is the top-rated Westport resort on TripAdvisor, and is the place I stayed on my most up-to-date journey. It has massive rooms, a spa, and a great on-site restaurant. (Book a room right here)
- The Wyatt Hotel – This charming boutique resort is positioned on the Octagon in Westport, making it an important base for exploring the city! (Book a room right here)
- Westport Coast Hotel – If you wish to keep someplace with a view in Westport, then the Coast Hotel is ideal. It’s positioned at Westport Harbour, and a few rooms overlook Clew Bay. (Book a room right here)
- Woodside Lodge – Want a B&B expertise as a substitute of staying in a resort? Then I can extremely advocate this family-run mattress and breakfast positioned simply outdoors the town middle. This is the place I stayed on my first go to to Westport! (Book a room right here)
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Who’s able to plan a visit to Westport?