Information about Westport

Westport is in County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland. It is a heritage town and is on the west coast directly under the shadow of the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick.

Westport is small enough to get around by foot, however most people use Westport as a base, and then you will have to think about getting a car, bike or hiking around by foot. The public transport around Westport is not all that good, so you will need to get a car. It is easy enough to rent via one of the mainstream agencies, or you can try getting a Taxi. Bikes can also be rented quite easily.

Image: Carrowbeg River in Westport

What to see

Visitors visit Westport for several reasons: the scenery; the pubs and restaurants in the town, blue flag beaches and Croagh Patrick. Its proximity to Connemara, Achill, Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, and its hotels and guest houses, make it a base for holidaymakers to tour the region.

Croagh Patrick - one of Europe's best know places of Pilgrimage, some pilgrims climb barefoot in the memory of St. Patrick, who spent forty days and forty nights fasting on the summit more than 1,500 years ago. Magnificent views of Clew Bay, with an island for every day of the year, provides inspiration for many walkers and visitors throughout the year.

Westport House - is one of Ireland's top Day Visitor Attractions. It is a Georgian mansion and the home of Lord Sligo and is open from April to September.

Clew Bay - is a beautiful bay filled with hundreds of small islands. These are actually semi submerged drumlins from the last ice age. The road along the north end of the bay leads to Achill Island, whilst the road along the southern rim goes back to Croagh Patrick and onto Louisburgh, terminating at Roonagh where one can get a ferry to Clare Island.