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Westport
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The beautiful
Heritage Town of Westport is located at the south-east corner of
Clew Bay in Co Mayo. The town is situated in the shadow of Croagh
Patrick and lies on the banks of the Carrowbeg River.
Westport is one of the few “planned towns” in Co Mayo. The town
centre was designed by James Wyatt in 1780, in the Georgian
architectural style. The work was actually commissioned by Lord
Sligo of the nearby stately home, Westport House, as a place for his
workers and tenants to live. Of the many attractive design features,
perhaps the most notably is the beautiful tree lined boulevard known
as The Mall, running parallel to the Carrowbeg River.
Designed by the famous architects Richard Cassels and James Wyatt in
the 18th century, Westport House is one of Ireland's most beautiful
and historic homes. It is situated in a lush parkland setting with a
lake, terraces, gardens and magnificent views overlooking Clew Bay,
the Atlantic Ocean, Achill, Clare Island and Croagh Patrick.
Westport House is open to the public and along with its adjoining
Adventure Park it provides a wonderful combination of culture, fun
and adventure for all the family.
Over the years, Westport has been growing in popularity as a visitor
destination. It has won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times
in 2001, 2006 and 2008. The town has many fine restaurants,
specialising particularly in seafood and a good selection of
traditional pubs, all providing a friendly ambience and warm Irish
hospitality. The famous Matt Molloy’s pub in the town is owned by
renowned flautist Matt Molloy of the Chieftains. The pub is renowned
for its nightly traditional music sessions and frequent concerts in
the yard bar venue.
The completion of the Great Western Greenway has made Westport an
ideal base for the walker and cyclist. This magnificent 42km long
traffic free cycling and walking trail follows the route of the
renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937. It passes
by some of the West of Ireland’s most dramatic mountains and offers
magnificent views of Clew Bay and its many islands.
Westport is also a leading sea angling centre . The waters in Clew
Bay are some of the best sea angling waters in Europe. Sea angling
charter boat trips are available for half or full day hire. The
freshwater angler is also well catered for on the many lakes and
rivers in the locality.
Westport Golf Club is located at Carrowholly just 5 minutes drive
away from the town. It is a magnificent 18 hole parkland course with
breathtaking views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay. The 11th, with
its Everest-like fairway, the par threre12th and the index one, par
four 13th are particularly memorable holes. Westport Golf Club
played host to the 2002 Smurfit Irish P.G.A. Championship.
Horse riding and pony trekking are on offer all year round in a
number of local equitation centres. Clay pigeon shooting,
paintballing, hill walking, sailing and adventure sports are among
the many other activities on offer to the visitor.
Westport could be called the festival capital of Mayo with numerous
events held throughout the year. The Westport Horse and Pony Show is
held on the first weekend in June. The internationally acclaimed Sea
Angling Festival is held annually in the third or fourth week in
June. The annual Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage is held annually on the
last Sunday in July. The Westport Music Festival is held on the
August bank holiday weekend. The Westport Arts Festival is held in
the first week of October. This is a festival of arts, music and
literature. The Westport Seafood Festival is held on the October
Bank Holiday weekend. |
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Westport Holiday Homes - County Mayo, Ireland