IE
Westport
A Georgian planned town on Clew Bay, below Croagh Patrick and at the start of the Great Western Greenway
A Georgian planned town on Clew Bay, below Croagh Patrick and at the start of the Great Western Greenway
Known locally as “the Reek”, the 764m mountain about 10km west of town is associated with Saint Patrick and has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. On Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, thousands of pilgrims climb it. The path from Murrisk is steep and rocky near the top, and the summit views over Clew Bay are outstanding in clear weather.
Allow three to four hours return; wear hiking boots and take waterproofs.
Photo: Vicuna R, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Browne family, descendants of the 16th-century pirate queen Grace O’Malley, built this Georgian house from the 1730s onwards. The house and its parkland by the Carrowbeg estuary are open to visitors, with family attractions in summer.
Check opening times, which vary by season.
Photo: LAS30a, CC BY-SA 4.0
This 42km traffic-free trail follows the old Westport–Achill railway line through Newport and Mulranny to Achill Island, with views over Clew Bay. It is mostly flat and easy to split into sections.
Bike-hire companies in Westport offer a return shuttle.
Photo: Robert Ashby , CC BY-SA 2.0
The bay is dotted with small islands, many of them drowned glacial hills (drumlins). Boat trips, kayaking and sailing run from Westport Quay, and Clare Island lies at the mouth of the bay.
Photo: MickReynolds, CC BY-SA 4.0
The town’s central square, with a column topped by a statue of Saint Patrick, is ringed by shops and cafés. Streets lead down to the river malls and the pubs of Bridge Street, including Matt Molloy’s, run by the flute player of The Chieftains and known for traditional music.
Photo: Marathon , CC BY-SA 2.0
Ireland’s largest island, linked to the mainland by a bridge, has dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches such as Keem Bay, about an hour’s drive from Westport.
Photo: Colin Park , CC BY-SA 2.0
Westport has a strong food scene for its size: look for Clew Bay seafood, including oysters and mussels, Mayo lamb and smoked salmon. Many pubs serve hearty food, and the quay area has restaurants with views of the bay.
Evenings mean pubs and traditional music sessions, especially on Bridge Street.
Trains run between Westport and Dublin Heuston (about three and a half hours). Ireland West Airport Knock is about 60km away, and Shannon and Dublin airports are further. By car, Westport is about three hours from Dublin.
The town centre is walkable. For Croagh Patrick, Achill and the coast, a car, bike or tour is useful; local buses run to some villages.
Ireland uses the euro. Accommodation in Westport is in high demand in summer.
Climbing Croagh Patrick is free; there is a car park charge.
Book early for festivals and summer weekends.
Off-season rates are much lower.
Three days lets you climb, cycle and explore the coast.
Walk the malls and the Octagon, visit Westport House, then spend the evening at a music session.
Climb the Reek in the morning, then have lunch at Murrisk or Westport Quay.
Check the weather; avoid the climb in high winds or poor visibility.
Cycle the Greenway towards Newport and Mulranny, or drive to Achill and Keem Bay.
Use the bike-hire shuttle to return.
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Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area, so the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS don’t apply here and Irish passport checks work as before.
If you plan to cross into Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, you need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, £20) unless you are a British or Irish citizen or a legal resident of Ireland, even though there are no border checks on the land border.
Official information: GOV.UK: UK ETA · Reviewed September 2026
Bring waterproofs in every season.
Sessions are frequent in the town pubs.
Plan the shuttle back when hiring bikes.
Steep loose stone near the summit; proper footwear matters.
Quick answers for planning time in Westport.
Usually three to four hours up and down, depending on fitness and conditions.
42km, from Westport to Achill Island along a former railway line.
By train from Dublin Heuston (about three and a half hours) or by car (about three hours).
Yes, for its Georgian town centre, music pubs, Croagh Patrick and access to the Mayo coast.
May to September for longer days and the best chance of good weather.
Planning a wider trip? Our Ireland travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.