Historical
The Charming town of Westport, situated on the shores of Clew Bay, is one of the few planned towns in the country. It is an estate town, built to the plan of James Wyatt, the well known architect of the Georgian period. One of its outstanding features is the elegant tree-lined boulevard, known as The Mall. There are several historical sites in and around Westport that are well worth a visit.
Listed below are just some of the historical attractions around Westport:
Clew Bay Heritage Centre, Westport
Clew Bay Heritage Centre traces the history of Westport & the Clew Bay area from pre- Christian times to the present. Visit Museums of Mayo Website.
Westport House and Country Park
Westport House, County Mayo, Ireland is one of Ireland’s most beautiful, privately owned, 18th century Historic Homes that is open to members of the public. It is situated in a magnificent Parkland setting, with a Lake, Terraces and Gardens overlooking Clew Bay. Westport House is considered one of the must see things to do when visiting the West of Ireland. For more information visit Westport House.
Croagh Patrick Information Centre
The Croagh Patrick Information Centre is situated in Murrisk on the Pilgrim’s Path at the base of Croagh Patrick and opposite the National Famine Monument. The Centre stems from the interest shown by the thousands of pilgrims and climbers in the archaeological discoveries on the summit. Visit Museums of Mayo for more information.
Foxford Woollen Mills, Foxford
Step back in time to see how life was in Foxford in the 1890′s. See how the town of Foxford grew and prospered around the Mill. The tour also includes a visit to the working woollen mill where skilled craftspeople can be seen producing the world famous rugs, blankets and tweeds. Visit Museums of Mayo for more information.
National Museum of Ireland Country Life
Visitors to the Museum are invited to experience the story of Irish country life between 1850 and 1950 through the innovative combination of artefacts and displays, archival video footage and interactive screens. Visit National Museum of Ireland website for more information.
Ceide Fields
The Ceide Fields in North Mayo will certainly give you a unique experience. For this is not just another archaeological monument or visitor centre. Here you can indulge yourself in a vast prehistoric landscape, a natural wild ecology of blanket bog, dramatic cliffs and coastline, and a much acclaimed building, which has received Ireland’s most prestigious architectural award. Visit Museums of Mayo for more information.
Knock Museum
Knock Museum tells the story of the Knock Apparition of 1879 and places it in the context of life in Ireland at that time. For more information visit Knock Shrine.