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Westport

A heritage town, Westport is architecturally pleasing to walk around, notable buildings include Westport House, designed by German architect Richard Cassels, the Holy Trinity Church and the former Bank of Ireland building on the mall, one of the first branches to be established outside of Dublin. The town is a great base from which to explore South Mayo.

Set against the backdrop of Croagh Patrick on the shores of Clew Bay, Westport (Cathair na Mart, ‘Stone Fort of the Beeves’) is buffered from the water’s edge by the estate of Westport House and Westport Quay. Its gaily painted facades, friendly faces and pretty flower beds and boxes welcome the visitor upon arrival. Its hilly streets bustle with lively shops, selling everything from antiques to fishing tackle, gourmet foods to gifts and clothes. Traditional pubs with top-notch music pouring out of them invite you in. Matt Molloy of The Chieftains’ international fame has a pub on Bridge Street which serves as an obvious magnet for musical talent from around the country and further afield, but the standard of music heard in any number of pubs, such as McCarthys Bar, McGings, Blousers and The Porterhouse is second to none. With about 90 voluntary organisations and more than 50 festivals there is always something happening, be it a food, music or arts festival, the Horse and Pony Show, the Clew Bay Garden Trail or an adventure race such as Sea2Summit.

While megalithic monuments provide evidence of habitation 5,000 years ago, modern Westport began to take shape in the 17th century when the Browne family designed a town around the estate of Westport House. By the 18th century Sir John Browne shifted the town from his estate to its current position. Employing Georgian architect James Wyatt, the town became one of the few planned towns in Ireland. The centre of town revolves around Bridge Street, Shop Street and James’ Street with several areas of interest, including the Octagon, which traditionally served as the social centre, the market square. The hand of Wyatt is seen nowhere better than on the tree-lined Mall parallel to the Carrowbeg River, providing a peaceful and leafy spot to sit and watch the world go by, feed the ducks or admire the flowers hanging from the stone bridges. On sunny days, young and old share a similar passion: sitting on the river bank’s stone walls enjoying ice creams from McGreevy’s Newsagents.

Recent years have seen Westport’s reputation as a food-lover’s town grow with the notable rise in restaurant standards, led by An Port Mor, a top-class fish restaurant run by an award-winning chef. Several local artisan food products have made an impact locally, including Carrowholly Cheese, Harvest Moon or Cabot’s sauces, dips and specialty foods. Mescan Brewery and Clew Bay Sunset have brought richly flavoured microbrewed beers to the region.

A heritage town, Westport is architecturally pleasing to walk around, notable buildings include Westport House, designed by German architect Richard Cassels, the Holy Trinity Church and the former Bank of Ireland building on the mall, one of the first branches to be established outside of Dublin. The town is a great base from which to explore South Mayo. Walkers are drawn to Croagh Patrick or ‘the Reek’ which is a stone’s throw away; the bay with its beaches and inlets offers a variety of water-based activities; and the Clew Bay Archaeological Trail tells its own ancient story. This lively town blends the best of the past with the present with good food, warm hospitality, varied activity and resplendent nature.

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