Westport is a charming little port town in County Mayo. Colorful streets, lively squares and friendly Irish pubs are all part of the program. You’ll immediately fall under the spell of this small, young, dynamic and particularly festive town. In fact, Westport is the venue for numerous festivals and other cultural events.
Westport takes its name from the Gaelic Cathair na Mart, meaning “The City of Beef”, in reference to its agricultural past, and its specialization in cattle breeding. Situated to the south of Clew Bay (a truly magnificent bay), the town enjoys a strategic location: it’s close to many other tourist attractions, making it a delight for visitors wishing to explore the surrounding area without having to travel too far. Some of the nearest sites include ..:
Clew Bay: Westport lies to the south of a gigantic bay, overlooking a magnificent coastal landscape. Don’t hesitate to take a tour! The scenery is sublime, and will give you even more reason to warm up your camera!
Thanks to its location and nearby tourist attractions, Westport enjoys an excellent reputation among tourists. It’s a great place to spend a few days. With an official population of just 5,000, it’s a fairly modest town that has managed to preserve its warmth and authenticity: the Irish are warm and welcoming, and don’t hesitate to play ball with tourists.
Westport is above all situated at the foot of a bay, and therefore benefits from a charming little fishing port, where you can naturally take a stroll. It’s a charming place that will make you long for the open sea. But the town doesn’t stop there, and also offers its visitors Irish Pubs where music reigns supreme: it won’t be unusual to come across bands playing in these Pubs, in a good-natured atmosphere, with a pint on the table in front of them. Don’t miss Matt Molloy’s, the legendary pub owned by Matt Molloy, one of the members of the Chieftains.
Accommodation-wise, the town is packed with B&Bs and hotels in excellent locations. Accommodation options vary in cost, from the very economical to the very expensive. In any case, we advise you to book in advance: reservations are in high demand in this tourist town!
Another interesting aspect of Westport is that it’s a lively town, with numerous festivals held throughout the year, ranging from simple music festivals to horse races and seafood tastings!