Top Things to do in Westport & County Mayo

Summer 2022 offers the opportunity to explore and discover our own country. To create memories with our loved ones, family and friends. After numerous lockdowns and restrictions, we will all be ready to escape to the West of Ireland next year.

A break at Hotel Westport on the Wild Atlantic Way delivers an abundance of experiences guaranteed to make memories that you’ll treasure for years to come. You can spend days enjoying the great outdoors, learning the stories of the mighty little county that is Mayo, being welcomed by warm-hearted locals as well as treating yourself, getting in some retail therapy in boutique shops as well as dining in spacious and award-winning eateries.

1. Our Very Own Pirate Adventure Park

Bring the kids and relax knowing that you’re in a family-friendly property. After all, nothing says “We Love Kids!” more than having your very own outdoor Pirate Adventure Park. Named after Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen of Connacht, who once had a castle on the estate, the Pirate Adventure Park features a log flume splash ride, swinging ship, mini Ferris wheel, a jump around, Swan Pedal boats, trains, slides and more – ideal for kids under 12 years old.

NEW FOR 2022 - We have a fabulous new Road Train (included in your Pirate Adventure Park Ticket) and it will pick-up and drop off guests at Hotel Westport during the day. Oh, and did we mention our overnight guests get the best ticket prices available to the Pirate Adventure Park with 25% off? Please note our Pirate Adventure Park will re-open for Easter, for weekends in June and then 7-days a week for July and August 2021.

2. Family Entertainment at Hotel Westport

At Hotel Westport, families can enjoy table-side Magic Shows during dinner, use of the 20m pool as well as free ice cream at 4pm daily. There's organised Outdoor Family activiteis Monday-Friday with a whole range of activiities for the whole family including Pizza Making, Treasure Hunts and more. Check out our Family page for more information.

3. Gracy's Bar & Bistro

We have a choice of eateries on the estate with numerous spacious, socially distanced dining options in the Hotel and also our Gracy’s Pizzeria & Bistro with beer garden in the farmyard of the estate (located 10 minutes walk from the Hotel). The Islands Restaurant, Maple Bar, and Cara Banqueting Suite in Hotel Westport offer ample social distancing for your safety and comfort. The Coffee Wagon at the Coach House features the best local @BeanWest coffee and whipped ice cream.

4. The only Hotel Based on the Beautiful 400 Acre Westport Estate

This stunning 400 acre historic estate is made up of wide open green spaces, looped walks, woodlands, a manmade lake (complete with Swan Pedal Boats for hire) and the Carrowbeg river meanders through. Or as we like to call it, our 400 acres of Fresh Air!

5. Bike Hire

Get discounted bike hire right here on the estate and tackle the Great Western Greenway. We have partnered with the wonderful people at Clew Bay Bike Hire to make it really easy for you to pick up your bike and go exploring. And at reduced rates too. If you don’t fancy doing all 42km of the Great Western Greenway, there are shorter nearby town greenways to enjoy or you can potter about the estate at your leisure.

6. Westport Town

Did we mention that you’ll be staying right in the heart of Westport? The old town of Westport was originally located on the front lawn of Westport House where Hotel Westport is now based. In 1767, when Peter Browne Kelly, the 2nd Earl of Altamont of Westport House, decided to move it and plan the beautiful “new” Georgian town of Westport, he sandwiched the estate between the town and harbour. Thus making Westport House Estate the beating heart of Westport. Hotel Westport is the ideal location for peace & tranquility and yet only minutes from the buzz of the town. The town also has some wonderful boutique shops to visit and a country market every week (usually on a Thursday). 

7. A Road to Remember. Tour of Mayo

Exploring the history, folklore, songs, and stories of the Great Famine against the backdrop of the stunning scenery of Clew Bay south. Visiting Croagh Patrick, Kilgeever Abbey & Holy Well, Doolough pass, Delphi and Leenane. An immersive experience of the beauty, tragedy, and tradition of this unspoilt landscape.

The Tour includes:

•  Locally guided narration
• Stops at Croagh Patrick, The National Famine Monument, Kilgeever Abbey, Glenkeen (The valley of tears), Stropa Buí (Doolough Mountain Pass), Delphi, Aasleagh Falls (Where the bull killed the Yank) and Leenane.
• Sheep dog herding demonstration
• Introduction to the importance of seaweed to the coastal people of the time with a focus on its medicinal, nutritional and agricultural applications and the customs around the harvest. Participants are invited to sample different edible species.
• Live Folk/ Traditional Music
• Lunch
• Charges apply. For more information or to Book, http://cordufftravel.ie/a-road-to-remember-tour/

8. Tons of Great Hikes Nearby

If hiking is your thing, hop in the car for a 10-minute drive to scale Croagh Patrick and enjoy magnificent views of Clew Bay. Other nearby looped walks include the Cloona Loop (5k), Brackloon Woods (3k), Letterkeen (12k) or venture to Diamond Hill (7k) in the Connemara National Park.

9. Sea Swimming

Started sea swimming during lockdown? We are blessed with beautiful blue flag beaches like Old Head Beach which offers SUP and kayak hire as well as superb pier jumping. And its a beautiful walking and sand castle-making beach too. Lecanvey Pier is another lesser-known but idyllic, crystal-clear-water, pier jumping spot. The Point Beach is located right at Westport Harbour and offers tidal swimming within walking or cycling distance of the estate. Or if you prefer, we also have a wonderful 20m Swimming Pool and kiddy splash pool at the Hotel, free for residents to use.

10. Island Hopping

Go island hopping around Clew Bay with a day trip to Achill, Inisturk, or Clare Islands – catch a ferry to the last two or take a spin down to Achill which is accessible by bridge. Or take the Clew Bay Cruise and get the history while you cruise the bay.

Bonus. Westport House

Last but certainly not least, visit Ireland’s Most Beautiful Home to learn the story of the families behind Westport House. The Browne family – the descendants of the Pirate Queen – who built the house and the Hughes family who bought it from them in 2017. The house itself is of architectural as well as social significance not only to Mayo but nationally and internationally too. Visit the historic house or you can download our free Guided Tour App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and take your own self-guided tour.

If you have any other specific requests or activities in which you're interested, please don't hesitate to email us at reservations@hotelwestport.ie to inquire. We shall be happy to help.

We look forward to welcoming you!