Westport Walkabout
After your visit to The Irish Soda Bread Way explore Westport on foot. No transport is
required to get to these gems. We have it all on our doorstep. History, shopping,
gastronomy, woodland trails, a wild Atlantic seaside stroll, and a dip in it if
you’re brave enough!
Croagh Patrick
Westport has long been an area of human settlement. From the earliest times, it has been a place of pilgrimage associated with Ireland’s Holy Mountain Croagh Patrick, at whose foot it lies. St. Patrick is said to have fasted on the summit of Croagh Patrick for 40 days and 40 nights in 441 A.D. Pilgrims have been climbing the mountain for generations since.
Croagh Patrick
Westport has long been an area of human settlement. From the earliest times, it has been a place of pilgrimage associated with Ireland’s Holy Mountain Croagh Patrick, at whose foot it lies. St. Patrick is said to have fasted on the summit of Croagh Patrick for 40 days and 40 nights in 441 A.D. Pilgrims have been climbing the mountain for generations since.
(To access Croagh Patrick it is 764m high and is 8 Km from Westport town).
Westport Town
The town of Westport grew from a decision by the Browne family in the first half of the 18th century to develop the town. Westport House which the Browne family built and lived in for over 300 years is one of the most significant historical homes in the West of Ireland.
Westport Town
The town of Westport grew from a decision by the Browne family in the first half of the 18th century to develop the town. Westport House which the Browne family built and lived in for over 300 years is one of the most significant historical homes in the West of Ireland.
In the Dublin Journal of 1767, a notice was printed inviting tenders for the construction of a “new town” to be built in Westport.
It specified “ a large and elegant Market House in the Market Place to be enclosed with 12 large slated houses together with three avenues for streets of thinly slated houses and cabins to be built separately. The North and South Malls were constructed later in the 1820s and the Carrowbeg river canalised to enhance a grand entrance to Westport House.
The Mall and the Carrowbeg River
Standing on the bridge into Westport Town, enjoy the river for a few minutes, turn left over the bridge, and stroll along the tree-lined boulevard, with lovely Georgian facades to admire. On the right side of the street stands an old Methodist Church ( now a food establishment). It was built in 1876 on the same site as the original church built in 1791.
The Mall and the Carrowbeg River
Standing on the bridge into Westport Town, enjoy the river for a few minutes, turn left over the bridge, and stroll along the tree-lined boulevard, with lovely Georgian facades to admire. On the right side of the street stands an old Methodist Church ( now a food establishment). It was built in 1876 on the same site as the original church built in 1791.
When you reach the second bridge turn left onto the other side of the mall. The building that now houses the Credit Union ( previously The Bank of Ireland) was known as The Dower House, built in 1809 for the widow of the Marquis of Sligo of Westport House.
The Post Office building stands since 1899. The first post office was housed over the bridge, (which you will now cross) in the Olde Railway Hotel ( not currently in use as a hotel).
The Olde Railway Hotel was erected as a coaching inn in 1790 for the comfort of the guests of Lord Sligo of Westport House. By 1825 it housed not only the Post office but also a Linen Hall and a Courthouse.
Westport has been attracting visitors for over two hundred years as it has always been very progressive. In the 1860s gas-lighting was introduced, and roads and footpaths were macadamed by the town commissioners. Tourism began to flourish after the famine in the late 1800s aided by the coming of the railway to Westport in 1866. The railway extended to the Quay area in the 1890s which became a fashionable bathing area.
Opposite the Olde Railway Hotel across the river, you will see the Roman Catholic Church, the original chapel being built there in 1813.
Choose your own path
At this point, you can choose to take either
A further looped walk around
the town 20 - 30 mins (if no dawdling)!
Take a longer walk towards Westport House and the Quay area ( 3.5km, 1 hour)
A further looped walk around
the town 20 - 30 mins (if no dawdling)!
Take a longer walk towards Westport House and the Quay area ( 3.5km,1 hour)
Route A
Turn left at the Olde Railway Hotel and cross the bridge towards James Street. You will see a tall spire-like monument in the distance. It was erected in 1845 in memory of George Glendenning, a local agent, and banker. St. Patrick replaced him in 1990.
As you walk up the street note the building on your right at the pedestrian crossing (now Intreo). This was the townhouse of Lord Sligo of Westport House. During the famine in the 1840s, the Browne family closed up Westport House and lived here.
Route B
From the Olde Railway Hotel, cross the street and turn right. You will see Holy Trinity Church ahead on your left. This gothic-style church was built in 1872.
Take the left turn before the church, pass Carrowbeg College, Lidl, and some commercial units on your right, until to come to an entrance for Westport House, on the grounds of Hotel Westport.
Enjoy the 100-acre parkland of magnificent broad-leaved woodland planted in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. There are two routes ( approx.3.5 km) to choose from, an easy river walk on the flat, or a slightly more challenging one through the woods.
Things to Do and See
Clew Bay
Explore the seas of Clew Bay for a few hours just like the O’Malley’s did before us.
History tells us that the O’Malley clan were the ruling family of the Mayo area for centuries, facilitated by their prowess as seafarers and pirates. The most notorious member of the O’Malley clan was of course our very own Grace O’Malley (1530-1603) the pirate Queen. She was based on Clare Island, which is situated at the mouth of Clew Bay and ruled the seas from there.
Clew Bay
Explore the seas of Clew Bay for a few hours just like the O’Malley’s did before us.
History tells us that the O’Malley clan were the ruling family of the Mayo area for centuries, facilitated by their prowess as seafarers and pirates. The most notorious member of the O’Malley clan was of course our very own Grace O’Malley (1530-1603) the pirate Queen. She was based on Clare Island, which is situated at the mouth of Clew Bay and ruled the seas from there.
The spectacular bay is overlooked by Croagh Patrick on one side and the Nephin Mountains of North Mayo on the other. It is said that there are 365 islands in Clew Bay, one for every day of the year. These are in fact, Drumlins, left by the last glacial cycle that shaped and scoured the bay.
Westport Quay
To get back to the centre of Westport Town you can do so via The Westport Greenway. The Greenway follows the old disused railway line from Westport town to the Quay and is traffic free (2.5km) Walk past The Coast Hotel and keep left for 5 minutes. The entrance to the Greenway is in to your left at the bus station.
The Greenway ends at a steep hill onto Altamount Street. Turn left onto the Fairgreen and you are back at the Mall and the Carrowbeg river.
Westport Quay
To get back to the centre of Westport Town you can do so via The Westport Greenway. The Greenway follows the old disused railway line from Westport town to the Quay and is traffic free (2.5km) Walk past The Coast Hotel and keep left for 5 minutes. The entrance to the Greenway is in to your left at the bus station.
The Greenway ends at a steep hill onto Altamount Street. Turn left onto the Fairgreen and you are back at the Mall and the Carrowbeg river.
The Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s first long-distance touring route. For 2500km it will take you along the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean Coast from Donegal in the North to West Cork in the South.
There are so many different experiences to explore along the route. It is a place where land and sea collide. It is a place where you can explore life in Ireland shaped by the Atlantic. It is a place to discover your spirit of adventure.
Right in the heart of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Mayo embraces the Atlantic Ocean with many of the County’s landmarks dotted along its coastline. – majestic Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay near Westport, Achill’s soaring sea cliffs, and the majestic coastline of Downpatrick Head in North Mayo.
Explore The Great Western Greenway connecting Westport to Achill Island, an award-winning family-friendly biking trail with stunning scenery, historic villages, ancient ruined abbeys, arts, crafts, and even some wild Irish goats!
Westport is a natural place to base yourself while exploring this beautiful unspoiled part of Ireland. Just one hour from Ireland West International Airport, and one hour from Connemara you will never be short of places to visit or sites to see
