Looking to find the very best of Western Ireland? Add Westport to your bucket listing. This charming city in County Mayo is brimming with beautiful surroundings and distinctive cultural points of interest. So, it’s no surprise 1000’s of holiday makers a yr come right here from far and broad. While you can simply spend weeks exploring this wild facet of Ireland, I like to recommend seeing Westport in a weekend. Read on to search out out why!
Located on the west coast of Ireland, Westport is certainly price visiting. It’s the quintessential Irish city – providing a dose of nature, tradition, historical past, and (becoming for Ireland) a energetic and genuine pub scene. A stunning river flows by city with tree-lined promenades and cafés on each side. It’s only a stone’s throw away from the Atlantic Ocean and Ireland’s most sacred mountain, Croagh Patrick. However, it’s the native way of life that attracts individuals to Westport over different locations.
Though this Georgian city is small, it packs a punch with so many enjoyable issues to do in Westport. I lately spent 48 hours right here throughout a guided tour with Globus Journeys, the place I bought to discover the town middle and surrounding areas. This was certainly one of Globus’ Choice Tours, which mixes typical touring with a extra native, immersive expertise. It was a enjoyable and hassle-free means of touring, and it introduced me to wonderful locations that I seemingly wouldn’t have seen in any other case.
Ready to soak within the magnificence and timeless appeal of Westport? Here’s my information to visiting Westport in a weekend.
Drive alongside the Wild Atlantic Way
When you’re visiting Westport and Western Ireland (typically), the star of the present is undoubtedly the Wild Atlantic Way.
This driving route spans 1,500 miles (2,500 km) alongside Ireland’s western shoreline, providing unbeatable views of rugged cliffs, sandy seashores, lush mountains, and many sheep. It brings you previous Westport, the place many guests seize a chew to eat and a pint earlier than persevering with up the coast. However, I believe you’ll wish to spend not less than a few nights in Westport to get a correct really feel for the world.
During my tour with Globus, we drove by a number of elements of the Wild Atlantic Way. The dramatic sea cliffs paired with the winding roads and grazing sheep made this a magical journey. I’ve executed many stunning coastal drives, together with the Pacific Coast Highway in California and Road to Hana in Maui, and I believe this one is the wildest of all of them.
If you’re on the lookout for epic coastal views, don’t miss the Wild Atlantic Way throughout a go to to Westport.
Visit the seashores and sea cliffs of Achill Island
As the most important of the Emerald Isles, Achill Island is a must-see vacation spot close to Westport. It’s residence to hovering sea cliffs, secluded seashores, and a wide range of wildlife. The landscapes are vibrant and verdant, making the scene completely unforgettable.
Achill Island is the crown jewel of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. My favourite spot was Keem Bay with its rugged shoreline and crystal-clear waters. On a transparent day, it’s an amazing place for swimming and watersports, together with browsing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing. The climate throughout our go to was typical for Ireland – cloudy, wet, and windy, which made the waves all of the extra highly effective and unrelenting as they battered the shoreline.
Achill Island is linked to the mainland by a bridge, so it’s simple to get there from Westport. Given the island’s sheer dimension, we spent the higher a part of a day exploring it. An itinerary of Westport in County Mayo wouldn’t be full with out it!
Where to remain in Westport, Ireland?
During my journey with Globus Journeys, I stayed on the Westport Plaza Hotel, which is conveniently positioned close to the Westport city centre. I cherished the breakfast and dinner right here, along with the facilities just like the spa and health middle. The employees was additionally tremendous pleasant and the room was fashionable and comfy. Highly suggest!
Looking for a house base on this quaint Georgian city? Here are a number of the greatest stays in Westport:
Bike experience alongside the Great Western Greenway
As a part of Globus’ Choice Touring excursions, some members of our tour group had the chance to bike alongside the Great Western Greenway and swore by it! At 42 km lengthy, it’s the longest greenway in Ireland and an amazing place for a scenic stroll or bike experience. And after all, there’s no scarcity of cafés and pubs to go to alongside the best way.
Formerly an outdated railway line, these tracks have been transformed right into a greenway. It takes you previous the very best of the Irish countryside, together with farms, mountains, rivers, shoreline, and villages. From Achill Island, you’ll be able to cycle all the best way to Westport or to the charming cities of Mulranny and Newport. It’s really probably the most picturesque stretches possible, which is why it is best to think about it whereas in Westport IR.
Visit the native pubs
Unlike in different European international locations, the place cities are constructed round cathedrals, life in Ireland tends to focus on pubs. Westport isn’t any completely different.
When visiting Westport, don’t miss the prospect to crawl across the native pubs and revel in pints of the black stuff. With dozens of pubs in and round Westport, there’s no scarcity of venues for conventional Irish music and native banter. My favourite pub is The Porter House, which is within the coronary heart of Westport’s city middle. The stay music and comfy pub décor have been tremendous inviting and I’d suggest it to anybody.
Another conventional bar in Westport is JJ O’Malleys. In addition to the beer and leisure, the meals right here is just wonderful. Stop by on Friday or Saturday to expertise the colourful stay music scene and another evening for a style of its menu, which covers Irish, European, and American cuisines.
The greatest method to expertise life in Ireland is thru its pub scene, and Westport is definitely high of the road. I’m so glad Globus gave us ample downtime to discover the city and expertise its conventional pubs and stay music.
Hike to the highest of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain
Overlooking Westport and the encompassing bay is Croagh Patrick, probably the most well-known mountain in Ireland. At 2,500 ft. (764 m) tall, it’s one of many highest mountains within the nation and it positively belongs in your Westport IR itinerary.
For centuries, Croagh Patrick has been a well-liked pilgrimage web site. In 441 AD, St. Patrick spent 40 days praying and fasting on its peak trying to transform Ireland to Christianity. It’s steeped in historical past, faith, and mythology, which is why so many Irish catholics make the trek to the highest annually.
The major path as much as the mountain peak is 7 kilometers, which takes roughly 3-4 hours to climb. And when you get to the highest, you’ll have gorgeous views of the western shoreline and plenty of islands within the distance. It’s no surprise, then, that it is a high place to go to close to Westport.
Tour the Westport House
At almost 400 years outdated, the Westport House is among the high historic websites in all of Ireland. It’s the proper wet day exercise, providing 30 rooms and 6 exhibitions showcasing the heritage of this non-public property.
Take a non-public tour of the grounds, which incorporates formal rooms and art work inside the home in addition to gardens exterior. The property is ready on 400 acres of gorgeous forest surroundings, supplying you with a style of life at nation homes in centuries previous.
In addition to the historic and cultural sides of this residence, Westport House can be residence to Pirate Adventure Spot, a theme park for youngsters of all ages. With a lot to see and do across the property, it’s no surprise the Westport House is among the many greatest issues to do in Westport.
Soak within the panoramic views of Clew Bay
Only a bounce, skip, and a hop away from Westport’s city middle, Clew Bay is one other place to not be missed on a Westport itinerary. It’s residence to 365 islands, which might be seen from Croagh Patrick and plenty of different mountains of North Mayo. John Lennon owned certainly one of them, which he deliberate to show into a retreat middle. Though it didn’t come to fruition, there’s nonetheless a complete lot to see in Clew Bay.
The largest and most well-known amongst these islands is Clare Island, which is certainly one of solely six inhabited islands. It’s accessible year-round by the Clare Island Ferry and is residence to Gráinne O’Malley, a Fifteenth-century pirate queen who’s well-known in Irish historical past and folklore.
For stunning ocean views, coastal mountain climbing trails, and sandy seashores, be sure you try Clew Bay in County Mayo. You gained’t remorse it!
Stroll the stunning city of Westport, Ireland
Last however definitely not least on this information to spending a weekend in Westport is the plain: strolling this small city. With a lot scenic magnificence and appeal, Westport is a spot the place you’ll wish to take it sluggish and be current.
From the stay music on the pubs to the tree-lined promenade on the river, it’s an amazing place for a stroll any time of yr. Grab an Irish espresso at a riverfront café and marvel on the colourful buildings sprawled round city. It’s simple to see why Westport is such a livable city and an amazing place to go to.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Westport, Ireland
Here are some FAQs in regards to the magnificent city of Westport in County Mayo.
What makes Westport tourism so particular?
Westport is thought for its quaint downtown and proximity to many pure treasures, together with Achill Island and Croagh Patrick. The meals and pub scene are among the many greatest within the area and there are numerous out of doors points of interest in Westport any time of yr. Moreover, it’s been constantly rated the “best place to live in Ireland” by The Irish Times.
What county is Westport in?
Westport is positioned in County Mayo, which is on the western facet of Ireland. It straddles the Atlantic Ocean with views of Clew Bay and Clare Island.
What is the inhabitants of Westport, Ireland?
According to the 2021 Census by the Central Statistics Office, Westport has a inhabitants of 6,198. Roughly 40% of the individuals right here can converse the native Irish language.
Where is Westport Ireland?
Westport is positioned on Ireland’s western coast, not removed from Castlebar and Galway. It’s only a stone’s throw away from Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain, and Clew Bay.
How do you get from Westport to Galway?
Galway is simply 50 miles (80 km) south of Westport, which takes simply over an hour by automotive, bus, or taxi.
How do you get from Dublin to Westport Ireland?
Westport is 155 miles (250 km) west of Dublin, which is a three-hour drive with no site visitors.
What are the very best cities and cities in County Mayo, Ireland?
The high locations to go to in County Mayo are Westport, Cong, Castlebar, Ballina, Mulranny, Claremorris, Belmullet, and Knock.
What are some Westport actions this weekend?
Every weekend you’ll be able to take pleasure in stay music at lots of the pubs in Westport’s city centre. The conventional Irish music is second to none and it goes late into the evening. Don’t miss it!
Exploring Westport IR in 2022
Hope you loved studying about all of the issues to do in Westport, Ireland. Have you visited this charming Georgian city? Have you fallen in love with the plethora of Westport actions in and across the city? Let me know on Insta or within the feedback under!
Happy Travels! -Jon
Looking for extra Ireland journey inspiration? Read subsequent:
– Western Ireland Travel Guide
