UK & Ireland

Others support communities connected to the mainland by ferry services or some are only reached by people with their own boats. The connection of mains electricity and broadband has allowed the island people to work from home and therefore remain on these remote outcrops.

Clare Island in the Mouth of the Bay is now Home to a Thriving Town.

Taking a boat trip from Westport on the Lady Slievemore, you are able to get a small inkling of what it would be like to live removed from easy access to shops and markets. Seals can be seen sunning themselves on the beaches whilst seabirds wheel around in the sky searching for their next meal.

A Heritage Town

Westport is a wonderful centre to explore the Mayo area – there are many hotels and guest houses providing a wide range of facilities from the luxury end of the market at Knockranny Hotel to the mid range Carlton Atlantic Coast, Hotel Westport or Westport Woods – right through to family run guest houses within easy access to the town.

Westport is a designated heritage town designed in the Georgian period and few towns in Ireland can match its continental feel and vibrant atmosphere. The town has been voted Ireland’s Tidiest Town in 2008 and the quay area offers great views of the bay with bars and restaurants for when you are feeling thirsty or peckish.

A Holy Mountain

Croagh Patrick can be seen in the distance and this is a mountain that people climb as a pilgrimage to visit the tiny chapel on the top. On ‘Reek Sunday’ many people climb in bare feet to expiate their sins but others climb using stout walking boots. This year over 50,000 people made the ascent. The view from the top is quite breathtaking and lays out the panorama of Clew Bay and the surrounding countryside.

Westport House

A visit to Westport House is a must, as this house is owned by the family directly descended from the Pirate Queen – Grace O’Malley. Grace O’Malley was the stuff of legends but she really did exist and in her later life was received at the court of Elizabeth I. One can imagine these two grand old ladies discussing their lives and Grace justifying her exploits on the high seas.

Drink Guinness with the Locals

In the town centre Mat Malloy’s is an example of a typical Irish pub – Guinness is the popular brew of the evening and live music can be heard late into the night. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and there is no sign of the drunken rowdiness of city pubs in other parts of the world.

All ages are made to feel welcome and conversations are easily struck up with locals and visitors alike.

Killary Fjord - Home of Seals

Further afield Killary Fjord, the only fjord in Ireland, beckons you to go out on the water and experience the grandeur of the mountains rising up steeply from the dark clear waters. Reflections are thrown into the deep and the scudding clouds racing across the sky cast shadows onto the landscape. Take a trip with Killary Cruises to experience the splendour and watch the dolphins riding the bow wave.

Irish Charm, Beauty and Fascination

Foxford Mills can easily be reached and joining the interactive tour of the history of the founding of the mills gives you insight into this small town. Woollen looms still make cloth and many of the items are sold in the shop. A cafe provides sustenance when you are weary of shopping and want to rest your feet.

Kylemore Abbey and Gardens

Kylemore Abbey and Gardens are now the home of the Irish Benedictine Nuns and they run an international school for girls. This beautiful house was built by Mitchell Henry for his wife but unfortunately she died three years after completion and he built a mausoleum close to the private chapel in her memory. In the grounds they are reconstructing and reviving a Victorian Walled Garden and taking steps to bring it back to its former glory using only plants and trees that were around prior to 1900.

Second to None

As a destination, Westport is second to none with golf courses and fishing areas, horse riding and shops all there for the taking.

Why not visit the web site of Destination Westport www.destinationwestport.com and book your next break in this wonderful unspoilt corner of Ireland.

Jay Cassie