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Town in County Mayo, Ireland
Photo: Mark Waters, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Westport is an attractive town in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland, with a population of 6,900 in 2022. It was originally Cathair na Mart, "town of the beef cattle", a cattle-mart and trading port in an era when it was much easier to get around by sea than overland. That settlement was swept aside in 1780 to make way for Westport House and its grounds. A new planned town was laid out along the banks of the Carrowbeg River, and has been well-preserved since that time.
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Set in parkland overlooking Clew Bay, this fine Georgian mansion was designed by Richard Cassels and James Wyatt in the 18th century. With extensive gardens and adventure park, separately ticketed.
Small museum on Roman Island, open Mar-Oct, in a building once used for holding live pigs before transport. The island, now a promontory of the Quay, was a busy industrial port during the boom years. The Point of the promontory is a good spot for seeing birdlife and otters.
A little gem of an Italian bistro in town centre.
Friendly bar and restaurant on The Quay, also has rooms.
Cafe-restaurant with daily specials and home-cooked desserts & cakes.
The Tower is the turret of the former coastguard station. Good pub grub.
Thatched pub and restaurant on waterside south of the harbour, does good seafood.
Central pub has decent meals and live music most weekends.
Gets really busy for the nightly trad music sessions, get there early. Owned by Matt Molloy of the Chieftains.
Great value charming little hotel in town centre. Free parking, wifi, four rooms are dog-friendly.
Good friendly central hotel. Use the public parking lot.
Pleasant hostel in converted mill in town centre, clean and welcoming. Large mixed dorms, smaller male and female dorms and private rooms, and bike store.
formerly Hotel Westport
This has changed owners and re-opens in April 2026.
Upscale hotel near town centre, with 140 bedrooms, spa, pool and leisure centre. Gets great reviews for comfort and service.
Relaxing hotel 1 km east of centre. With pool, spa and good restaurant.
Convenient location 1.5 km west of centre, friendly, but the place is run down and service is haphazard.
Pleasant hotel on quayside, great views from top floor restaurant. They also have self-catering apartments.
Smart B&B open May-Sept. No pets.
Smart hotel in 36 acres of mature landscape.
Knock (NOC) is the nearest airport but has few flights. Consider flying into Dublin or Shannon then hiring a car, which you're going to need to tour the county.
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Charlestown · International · NOC
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