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! We’ve partnered with Westport Bike Hire to offer you our “Greenway cycle & stay” package. They stock a large range of bikes suitable for all ages and levels. Additionally, they offer a shuttle between Westport and Achill island for just €10 per adult (free for children).
Discover & Learn
Westport House
Westport House is located only 5 minutes walk from Woodside. It was built on the same site as one of Grace O’Malley’s, the famous Pirate Queen, castles. In fact, her dungeons still remain in the current house which was built in 1730 by her descendants, the Brownes. Westport House & Pirate Park offers a range of activities and is the perfect location for a stroll or a cycle.
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 favourite local activities is stand up paddle-boarding with Summer SUP School. Located on one of Westport’s most beautiful beaches, Old Head, Summer SUP is an accredited ASI school. All staff are all RNLI/RLSS beach lifeguards. They offer stand up paddle-boarding courses, rentals and explorer tours from May to September (from sunrise to sunset). Summer SUP provide you with all the equipment. Interested in paddle boarding? Check out our “Paddle & Stay” package.
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. If interested in a trek, make sure to add our “Saddle & Stay” package to your booking. Group lessons are also available and we would be happy to help you organise this.
Tours
Westport Walking Tours
This wonderful service is a must-do when visiting the town of Westport. The tour takes around an hour and is the perfect way to learn about the rich history Westport has to offer. This free tour runs Monday – Friday at 10 am and 12 pm departing from The Town Hall Theatre at The Octagon (April – September). The team also provide two additional tours: The Westport pub tour and the Westport Food tour. During the 2-hour pub tour, you will visit some of Westports famous traditional pubs whilst sampling local craft beers, Irish poitin (firewater) and local whiskeys. On the 3-hour food tour, you will experience everything from local honey and handmade chocolates to traditional home-cooked Irish dishes.
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