Westport (Cathair na Mart), means City of the Beeves, is designated as one of Bord Failte's Heritage towns. The town is situated on the west coast of Ireland, south-east of Clew Bay, which is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean.
Westport has a stunning town centre in the Georgian architectural style and is one of the few planned towns in the country, planned by James Wyatt in 1780. The planning of the town was commissioned by Lord Sligo of the stately home, Westport House, as a place for his workers and tenants to live. Westport House had originally been built by Richard Cassels, the German architect, in the 1730s, on the original O' Malley Castle. The dungeons of the O' Malley castle still remain.
Among the picturesque features of the town are notably the beautiful tree lined boulevard known as The Mall, running parallel to the Carrowbeg River.
Croagh Patrick, one of Europe's best known places of Pilgrimage, locally known as "the Reek" lies 10km west of the town near the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey. The mountain presents a spectacular backdrop to the town and has provided a tough ascent for many pilgrims each year, climbing barefoot in the memory of St. Patrick, who spent forty days and forty nights fasting on the summit more than 1,500 years ago. The small church which lies at the summit of the mountain welcomes penitents, while magnificent views of Clew Bay, with an island for every day of the year, and provides inspiration for the many walkers and visitors throughout the year.
Several festivals are held in and around Westport each year.
• The Westport Horse & Pony Show is held on the first weekend in June.
• The 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 Arts Festival is held in the second two weeks of September.
• The Westport Seafood Festival is held on the October Bank Holiday weekend.
• The Westport Wellness Week Festival is held in the last week of February.
Westport is a major tourist draw with visitors coming for several reasons. The most important is the magnificent scenery of the area, and the proximity to Connemara, Achill, Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick.
Westport is well known for sea-angling and freshwater fishing is popular on nearby Lough Mask and Lough Carra and on the Eriff River. The Erriff and Delphi fisheries are well known and there are many lesser streams and lakes to enjoy.
There is a wide selection of sandy beaches to choose from on the North and South shores of Clew Bay, and down the coast south of the Bay to where the isolated strand of Thallabawn meets Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. Many of the beaches are EU Blue Flag winners including Bertra, near Murrisk, Old Head and Carramore in Louisburgh.
Westport House and Children's Animal and Bird Park are a particular draw for families, many of whom stay at the caravan and camping park which belongs to Westport House. Westport Golf Club is rated as one of the top golf courses in Ireland. It is recognised as a prestigious venue and has hosted both the Ladies Home Internationals and the Irish Amateur Close Championship on three occasions. This fabulous golf course guarantees excellent golf and scenic splendour.
In 2008, Westport became Google Earth's first fully 3D town allowing tourists and other visitors to the town stroll through the streets whilst sitting at their computers
Westport is twinned with the French town of Plougastel Daoulas in the département of Finistère in western Brittany.
There are two churches in the town namely, the Catholic Church, called St Mary's and the Anglican Church, called Holy Trinity.
Westport has a small adjoining port, the Quay, once busy but no longer used for commercial shipping, now known for its restaurants, specialising particularly in seafood and many fine traditional pubs, all providing a friendly ambience. A small museum, celebrating the history of Westport and maritime history of Clew Bay, is open to the public here, the Clew Bay Heritage Centre.
Surfing is said by many to be the fastest growing sport on the west coast and Westport is perfectly poised as a setting-off point for surfers. Adventure sports are changing from hill walking and mountain hiking to a range of water-based sports and mountain running. The Gael Force West event in autumn 2006 and 2007 indicated the recognition of Westport as an ideal location for adventure sports. Sea Angling has always proven a popular fair-weather activity. Deep-sea fishing and shore angling in Clew bay is seen more as a day out than a sport, however there are angling competitions and festivals during the summer months.
People from Westport
• Matt Molloy of the Chieftains has a lively musical pub on Bridge Street at the centre of the town.
• Major John MacBride – soldier executed for his part in the 1916 rising. A monument stands in The Mall in his memory. |
