What to Do in Westport

Information on ferry services to Clare Island and Inishturk from Roonagh Pier

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

Newport is a third of the way along the Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill. Its beautiful viaduct over the Black Oak river and majestic church beguile the eye.

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.

Kildavnet Castle, on Achill Island, was Granuaile's fortress guarding the entrance to Achill Sound, linking Clew Bay to the south and Blacksod Bay to the north.

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.

Brackloon Wood, just outside Westport, is the largest area of native oak woodland in the region. Home to rare native plant species, it offers a glimpse into the history of the native Irish landscape.

Tawnyard Forest Trail is a 7Km round-trip in the Sheeffry Hills in the Tawnyard Wood, a coniferous forest managed by Coillte. This walk is part of the Western Way, a linear 150Km walking route from Leanne to Ballycastle in North Mayo.

There are three loop walks that begin at the Derradda community centre, about 3.5km West of Newport, just off the Newport/Mulranny road (N59).