Places to Visit    Restaurants | Heritage | Culture | Westport House | Islands | Beaches

Westport is beautifully situated on the shores of the tranquil and scenic Clew Bay, overlooked by Ireland's holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, and the mountains of North Mayo. Legend has it that this natural ocean bay has an island for every day of the year, the most famous of which is Clare Island.  In fact, Clew Bay contains Ireland's best example of sunken drumlins, which are small but long hills formed under melting glaciers at the end of the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago.

The bay is also home to Dorinish, a private island purchased by John Lennon in 1967. Sightseeing trips around Clare Island and others such as Inishturk and Achill are available from Roonagh Quay, which is a 30-minute drive from Westport.

Clare Island
The largest of Clew Bay’s islands, Clare Island, has been inhabited for 5,000 years and boasts dramatic coastal cliffs and spectacular views of the surrounding bay. It is closely associated with the infamous 16th century pirate queen, Grace O'Malley (Granuaile), who lived in a castle on the island during the course of her life as a “chief commander and director of thieves and murderers at sea”. She is reputedly buried in the island's 13th century Cistercian abbey, also home to some of the finest medieval wall paintings in Ireland.

Tel: 098 28288
www.clareislandferry.com
www.omalleyferries.com

Achill Island
Located an hour’s drive to the north of Westport, Achill Island is Ireland’s largest island and is connected to the mainland by a 226m bridge.  The stunning scenery available on the island includes some of Europe's highest cliffs, Blue Flag beaches, and large tracts of blanket bog sweeping over the island's two peaks and down to the shore. Achill is accessible by road via the bridge from Gob an Choire near Mulranney.

Inis Bigil
Situated between the mainland and Achill Island, the idyllic Inis Bigil is an unspoilt and unique island, which to this day contains a traditional community where small farming and fishing are time-worn traditions. Wonderful for walking and exploration, life here runs at a relaxed pace and tranquil atmosphere and glorious scenery are loved by visitors. Inis Bigil s located just 90 meters from Achill Island, Co. Mayo.

Inishturk
Rich in archaeological sites, Inishturk, which translates as ‘Island of the Wild Boar’, is a beautiful island located off the west coast of Mayo, lying between the islands of Inishbofin and Clare Island. Rising boldly from the wild north Atlantic, with wall-like cliffs to the north west and steep hills to the north, the ruins of the old Napoleonic Signal Tower stand 209 meters above sea level. Inhabited on and off since 4000 BC, the island is rich in archaeological sites and its rugged pathways and lesser-known trails offer viitors plenty of opportunities to explore.