Westport – The Riviera of the Wild Atlantic Way
Bustling, vibrant, colourful and cultural, Westport rivals any Riviera town. Our wild and rugged beach-laden coastline is the envy of mainland Europe, our Clew Bay islands are more numerous than any exotic archipelago, and our seas are home to countless wildlife wonders, from basking sharks to humpback whales.
We might not always get the Mediterranean’s sunshine, but the genuine warmth of our welcome will more than make up for the odd grey day and (dare we say it?) stray drop of rain.
Let us help you discover Westport, the undiscovered riviera of the Wild Atlantic Way — its people, its restaurants and pubs, its stylish boutiques, its fascinating history, its unrivalled setting … in short, its charm.
If you are still thinking about visiting, check out ten of the great reasons to visit Westport below:
Activities
Westport gives you the chance for a number of firsts, from Zorbing, Coasteering, Zip Wiring, Abseiling and Sea Kayaking and much more.
Restaurants
With a selection of restaurants to suit everyone’s taste, you won’t be short of choice when comes to eating out in Westport. So why not treat yourself? Dig deep into a bag of crispy chips or unwind in the attentive service of an award wining restaurant.
Croagh Patrick
or ‘The Reek’ as it is known to locals, stands at 2,507ft shadowing over Westport and is not for the faint hearted. Take on your own pilgrimage and follow in the footsteps of our patron saint, St Patrick. Footwear is optional!
The Great Western Greenway
Starting in Westport is the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland, that follows the route of the former Midland Great Western Railway Branch line to Achill, via Newport and Mulranny.
Beautiful Islands
According to tradition Clew Bay has 365 Islands (one for every day of the year). Most are uninhabited but you can visit the biggest, Clare Island for a day trip to remember.
History
Westport is steeped in History, most famous Granuaile (Grace O’Malley), Connaught’s famous 16th Century Pirate Queen. See her fortress on Clare Island or Visit Westport House, the site of one of her castles and where direct descendents live today.
Awards
Winner of the Tidy Town for years and this year two neighbouring towns winning, Murrisk and Mulranny, also winning ‘Best Place to Live’ in 2012, come and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Westport House & Grounds
Step back into the 18th Century with a visit to the home of Grace O’Malley. Westport House has been open to the public for over 50 years and has welcomed over 4 million visitors. It was designed by the famous architects Richard Cassels and James Wyatt in the 18th Century and enjoys a superb parkland setting with lake, terraces, wonderful grounds and magnificent views overlooking Clew Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Achill, Clare Island and Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. There are opportunities to enjoy art, activity, history and culture in this beautiful historic house showcasing with over 30 rooms open to the public with original antiques, architecture and artwork.
Beaches
Spoilt for choice with the number of local beaches, majority of which are Blue Flag. With a variety of water sports on offer with Surfing, Coasteering, Kayaking or just a great family day out building sand castles and eating Ice cream you can do it all here.
Westport Smarter Travel (WST)
Smarter Travel is all about reducing our preference for the car as our default choice of transport and opting instead for more sustainable travel modes such as walking, cycling, skateboarding, public transport or car sharing. It’s a lifestyle change with health and well being benefits. Smarter Travel is all about choices, choosing how we travel to and from work, to meetings, to the post office, to the cafe for lunch.
Pirate Adventure Park
For over 50 years, Westport House has been the home of family fun in the beautiful West of Ireland. With something for all ages – toddlers to grand-parents – it truly captures your imagination. The beauty of the house itself and it’s stunning interior is complimented by it’s natural parkland and Lakeland setting bringing a blissful calm to all members of the clan.
Birds of Prey Centre at Westport House
Our guide will have the whole family enthralled as these stunning birds soar through the sky landing just feet away. Learn about how these birds survive – where they live, what do they eat and much more. Our guides are fountains of knowledge when it comes to their beautiful birds.
Places to stay
Westport has something to suit everyone from families, friends or groups. With 9 hotels, Self catering apartments, a Caravan Park and numerous B&B’s in the town the hardest part is deciding where to stay.
Adventure Centre
Westport House is delighted that Killary Adventure Company is coming to join the Westport House team of partners this Summer 2017. It is the coming together of two stalwarth West of Ireland family businesses that are in the business of providing fantastic experiences to visitors.
This is only a guide to the Top Ten Things to do, you will find much more and I’m sure a few surprises along the way.
