Go into the West and on enjoy a wild adventure, where the bustling riviera town of Westport has a hearty welcome for all travellers.
The Georgian town is traversed by quaint stone bridges which cross the Carrowbeg River and rest on a tree lined promenade that makes for great evening strolls on the waterfront. There’s lots to do while on the west coast. Travel along the greenway bike and pedestrian trail which runs all the way from Westport to Achill island, it is the longest off road trail in Ireland. Take a trip round Clew bay and the 365 islands, one for every day of the year. Clare island, the largest inhabited island in the bay, makes for a great day trip.
Full of bustling shops and restaurants, no visit to Westport is complete without a trad session in Matt Molloy’s pub while trying out the best pint of Guinness in the West. Regular traditional sessions are also available on Cobbler’s bar and McCarthy’s bar on Quay street. Fiddles, bodhráns and tin whistles abound as you’ll be tappin’ and hup-huppin’ the night away.
Clear the cobwebs with a challenging climb up Croagh Patrick which overlooks Westport. Named after our patron saint Patrick, it is known locally as ‘The Reek’ and the climb is not for the faint hearted. The pilgrimage climb, once completed however, offers unrivalled views over Clew bay and a chance to visit the chapel above. For a spot of history visit Westport House, where you can explore the house and grounds and learn from the direct descendants of the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley about the house and the legend.