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 thing to do with the pleasant individuals, stunning 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 just will not need to go away.
And, regardless of Westport’s small measurement (it is house to lower than 6500 individuals), there’s really lots to do right here whether or not you are fascinated with historical past, the outside, or some good outdated Irish craic.
Where is Westport, Ireland?
Westport, as its identify would recommend, is situated 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 identified 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 gained “Tidiest Town” accolades a number of occasions.
Westport can also be identified for being a very good 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 price visiting?
Yes, I positively suppose 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 not too long ago visited Westport as a part of a paid partnership with Globus Journeys. I did a brand new Choice Touring journey with them known as Green with Envy: Ireland By Design, which was a number of 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 belongings you will not need to miss once 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 known as 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 fortress close to the pinnacle of Clew Bay, and a village grew up round it. It’s identify was Cathair na Mart, which is Westport’s Irish identify as we speak.
The O’Malley clan’s unique fortress was burned down in 1583, and the land finally handed (by marriage) to the Browne household. In the 1730s, John Browne constructed the present Westport House atop the ruins of the outdated O’Malley fortress.
Westport House as we speak is privately owned by the Hughes household, and is an attraction price visiting.
It’s not removed from the middle of present-day Westport (you may stroll if you would like), and you may take a tour of the home to be taught all about its historical past. You may even see the unique dungeons, which have been probably utilized by the Pirate Queen herself.
If you do not need 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 free of charge!
Westport Estate can also be house to the Pirate Adventure Park, which is a small kid-focused theme park with rides and sights.
2. Explore Westport city
Prior to John Browne growing Westport House, the city of Cathair na Mart was really located on the home’s entrance garden. Browne determined to maneuver the entire city a couple of 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 may definitely see this once you exit and discover.
The city straddles the Carrowbeg River, which has a tree-lined financial institution on either side (the North Mall and South Mall), that are related by charming arched stone bridges. South of the river are streets with names like Bridge Street, Shop Street, Quay Street, and so forth., and plenty of of them meet in a sq. known as The Octagon.
There are brightly-colored buildings and plenty of retailers, 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 would be the “cultural capital” of Ireland and identified for its stay music, however Westport can also be a great place if you wish to hearken 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 form 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 place to begin 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 the cities of Newport and Mulranny because it skirts round Clew Bay.
The Greenway is the primary of its form in Ireland, and gives up nice views of every thing from Clew Bay to Croagh Patrick and the Nephin Beg Mountains. The Greenway follows an outdated transformed rail line, which means it is a light journey with out many inclines.
There are a pair corporations in Westport that can lease 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 price placing in your to-do checklist.
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 once 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 a good way to spend 90 minutes! (Book this cruise right here.)
6. Take a baking class
Lastly, a very 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 beautiful and intimate, and provides you a glimpse into Ireland’s meals traditions. Afterwards, in fact, you may get to style your creations alongside a pleasant cup of tea!
This expertise known as “The Irish Soda Bread Way,” and you may e-book 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 take pleasure in whilst you’re in Westport.
1. Climb Croagh Patrick
Rising roughly 2500 ft (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 1000’s of years, first for pagans, and later for Christians. Croagh Patrick is claimed 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 alleged 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 prime 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 individuals climb it year-round.
You in fact do not should be on pilgrimage to climb Croagh Patrick; anybody is free to climb it, and you may 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 related by a bridge, although, so no ferries are vital to go to!)
Achill Island is house to tall sea cliffs, peat bogs, and a few of Ireland’s finest seashores. The Wild Atlantic Way passes by this island, and touring on is slender seaside roads sure does really feel fairly wild!
The prime 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), mountain climbing to see the Croaghaun cliffs (the best sea cliffs in Ireland at 2,257 ft), and visiting a few of the blue flag seashores on the island like Keel Beach and Keem Strand.
What I like essentially 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, which means there are many choices for the place to remain!
Some locations I’d suggest 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 very good on-site restaurant. (Book a room right here)
- The Wyatt Hotel – This charming boutique resort is situated on the Octagon in Westport, making it an incredible base for exploring the city! (Book a room right here)
- Westport Coast Hotel – If you need to keep someplace with a view in Westport, then the Coast Hotel is ideal. It’s situated 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 suggest this family-run mattress and breakfast situated 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?