Make the most of your trip
Local Activities
The beauty of Westport is that you will find activities to suit all tastes and ages.
Cycling
Great Western Greenway
Located right outside Woodside is the longest cycling and walking trail in Ireland, the Great Western Greenway. In fact, this 43.5km trail follows the line of the famous Great Western Midlands Railway, which closed in 1937. It’s the perfect activity for family fun and offers idyllic scenery in the West of Ireland.
Want to cycle the greenway but can’t bring your bike? No problem! Check out with Westport Bike Hire . They stock a large range of bikes suitable for all ages and levels. Additionally, they offer a shuttle between Westport and Achill island.
Discover & Learn
Westport House
Just a 5-minute walk from Woodside Lodge, Westport House is a historic estate with over 300 years of history, built on the site of one of Grace O’Malley’s castles, with her original dungeons still visible. The estate spans 400 acres of woodland, gardens, and lakeside paths, perfect for walking or cycling, and now includes the Westport Adventure Park, an interactive gaming zone, and on-site dining. Whether you’re seeking history, outdoor adventure, or a family day out, Westport House offers a mix of cultural heritage and modern fun for all ages.
Golfing
Westport Golf Club
Westport Golf Club is one of Ireland’s finest 18-hole parkland courses. A highly regarded championship venue, the club is the three-time host of the Irish Amateur Close Championship, the Smurfit Irish PGA Championship, and the 2019 AIG Cups & Shields All Ireland Finals. Located less than 5-minute drive from us, this 260-acre course is set on the shores of Clew Bay. Thus boasting breath-taking views of Croagh Patrick. Furthermore, the club offers a driving range, a two-hole pitching green and putting green, as well as a 9-hole pitch and putt course.
Hiking
Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain in Ireland, overlooks the beautiful Clew Bay. Renowned for its Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick, each year the Reek attracts about 1 million pilgrims. On ‘Reek Sunday’, the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. There is a small chapel at the top where mass is celebrated. The 756m climb generally takes 2 hours to the summit where breathtaking scenes of Clew Bay and its islands can be observed. It takes on average one hour and a half to descend.
Watersports
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
One of our top local experiences is stand-up paddleboarding with Summer SUP School, set on the stunning Old Head beach in Westport. An accredited ASI school with fully qualified RNLI/RLSS lifeguards, Summer SUP offers courses, rentals, and guided explorer tours from May to September, sunrise to sunset. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to explore the coastline, all equipment is provided, making it easy to enjoy a safe, fun, and unforgettable day on the water.
Outdoors
Horse Riding
Croagh Patrick Stables is an accredited equestrian centre situated at the foot of Croagh Patrick. It boasts incredible views of Mayo on horseback. It accommodates all levels and ages. The centre provides lessons, hacks and treks to the local beach in Murrisk.
Tours
Westport Walking Tours
Make the most of your stay in Westport with the award-winning Westport Walking Tour, a guided one-hour journey through the town’s rich history, stunning Georgian architecture, and fascinating local stories. Tours depart from The Town Hall Theatre at The Octagon Monday–Friday at 10 am and 12 pm, and Saturdays at 12 pm (April–September). For a deeper taste of local culture, explore the Westport Pub Tour, sampling craft beers, Irish poitín, and local whiskeys in historic pubs, or indulge on the Westport Food Tour, a 3-hour culinary adventure featuring local honey, handmade chocolates, and traditional Irish dishes—perfect experiences for history buffs, foodies, and culture lovers alike.
Rivers & Lakes
Fishing
Boats can be chartered for angling and cruising through Clew Bay which is home to a large variety of fish. There are many lakes within driving distance of Westport. Mayo has some of the best salmon and brown trout in Europe with the River Moy fishery less than an hour drive away. Both advanced and less experienced fishers are accommodated with gillies, boats and fly fishing instruction is available. Furthermore, there is a Salmon Research Fishing Agency Centre where you can learn about the story of salmon.
More information available at Westport Tourist Office