Westport Directory

Louisburgh is a beautiful small town in the midst an area of immense natural beauty, with award-winning beaches and mountains close at hand.

Killary Harbour is Ireland’s only true fjord and extends 16km in from the Atlantic to its head at Aasleagh, below Aasleagh falls. It forms the border between Galway and Mayo and boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the West of Ireland.

On a rocky headland at the harbour on Clare Island is the square tower which served as Granuaile's (Grace O'Malley's) castle. It is said that the Pirate Queen's head is buried near this castle.

The Brackloon Wood trailhead is about 6km south of Westport on the Leanne road. The walk is 4km long over a gentle grade.

Ballycroy National Park was established in November 1998. It is Ireland’s sixth National Park and comprises of 11,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin mountain range.

Inishturk – the island of the wild boar. A short trip from Westport, offers hillwalking, fishing, walking, swimming, scuba diving and sites of historical interest.

Mayo's hundreds of pristine beaches, from small sheltered coves to vast expansive strands, are some of the best in the country, if not the world.

Knock Shrine is a major international Catholic site, which attracts over 1 million pilgrims annually. The Virgin mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist are said to have appeared on the South gable of the Knock Parish Church on August 21, 1879. Knock Shrine is open all year round.