Things to do in Westport, Ireland

The beautiful town of Westport sits in County Mayo, Ireland and is loved by tourists who are taking a road trip from Galway to Sligo or Northern Ireland via the Wild Atlantic Way. There are so many things to do in Westport, especially for those who love outdoor activities and appreciate nature.

See the Colorful Town Center

The cozy town of Westport is colorful and immersed in Irish traditions and culture. The small boutique shops have locally made products, perfect for souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. At the center of the town, the clock tower is one of the most photographed in Westport as this area portrays that typical small Irish town with a personality. The Octagon is also another spot in the town center that is worth your visit.

Go to Croagh Patrick Mountain

Croagh Patrick Mountain is said to be the holiest mountain in the whole of Ireland. The mountain overlooks Clew Bay. In 441 AD, Saint Patrick fasted on the summit of the mountain for forty days, and this has become the tradition of the visitors of the holy mountain.

Play Golf

Golf is very loved and taken seriously in Westport. There are a couple of well-known golf courses in Westport that are celebrated by locals and foreign visitors. Here are a few golf courses you can visit.

Visit Westport House

Westport House is a historic building designed and built as a dwelling place for the Browne Family and later, in 1960, turned into a public museum in 1960. The house is surrounded by a beautiful garden and a lake that glows at sunset, bringing a picturesque ambiance. It is also surrounded by beautiful views of natural attractions such as the Atlantic Ocean, Clew Bay, Clare Island, and the holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. Initial work on the building occurred from 1638 to 1711 by John Browne III, but it was finished by an English man, James Wyatt.

Granuaile statue at Westport House sits right at the gate when entering the grounds of the house. The lady’s name was Grace O’Malley and was the Pirate Queen of Connacht who was known to be the “most notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland”. Things to do when you visit Westport House include visiting the historic house, pirate adventure park, Westport train tour, the carnival, birds of prey center and camping. Ticket prices vary depending on what you want to do. Visit their ticket page for more information.

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Horse Riding

Horse riding is a perfect outdoor activity for travelers to Westport, especially for families traveling with kids who can ride a horse. There are many horse stables in Westport, one of them being Carrowholly Stables & Trekking Centre.

Visit Westport Quay

At Westport Quay, you will enjoy the beautiful views of the water and colorful boats while having a food break in one of the cozy cafes situated here. The Quay Road leads right into the gates of Westport House.

Blue Flag Beaches around Clew Bay

Beaches in Westport are known for being very clean and Eco-friendly. Water activities are available at these beaches and they include surfing, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, paddle-boarding, and kayaking. Here are some popular beaches in Westport.

Fishing at Clew Bay

Fishing is enormous in Westport and County Mayo, especially in the Clew Bay area. You can go fishing by yourself or hire a charter boat that operates in the Clew Bay area.

Kayaking

If you love kayaking you will love Westport. There are different places that offer Kayaking tours but Kayaking in the Clew Bay area is very popular and a great experience. Clew Bay Kayaking offers guided tours.

Take Day Trips from Westport

• Achill Island: This is the largest island in Ireland.
• Louisburgh: 21km outside Westport sits a pretty small town of Louisburgh.
• Killary Harbour: It sits between Counties Galway and Mayo and is known for being Ireland’s only true fjord.
• Leenane: Right at the top of Killary Harbour is the little village of Leenane that opens the door to Connemara.
• Cong: One hour drive from Westport is this small village known for it’s Ashford Castle and 12th century Abbey.
• The Great Western Greenway: Park your cars for a day and cycle on this marvelous and longest off-road and traffic free 42km walking and cycling trail in Ireland.

Useful Information

To know more about what is going on in Westport before your visit, see their event calendar.

Here are nice restaurants in Westport.

Here are places to stay in Westport.

The closest major airport is Ireland West Airport Knock. It is located 63km from Westport.