The United Kingdom is home to numerous delightful villages and towns. If you are in search of quaint streets nestled in picturesque countryside, coastal whitewashed settlements, or charming cottages scattered across hillsides, you are in for a treat.
However, if you are willing to explore slightly farther, you will discover towns that many consider to surpass the charm of typical British locales. Westport in County Mayo, Ireland, stands out as one of the top contenders. Getting there is quite convenient, with airlines like Ryanair, British Airways, and Aer Lingus offering flights to Knock, the closest airport to Westport.
A one-hour journey west from Knock will lead you to the coastal area where the designated Heritage Town of Westport is situated. Along the way, you will traverse through increasingly stunning landscapes as you approach the Atlantic Ocean and witness soaring peaks.
Croagh Patrick, known as Ireland’s “Holy Mountain,” looms just five miles from Westport, with its distinct cone-shaped summit overlooking Clew Bay. This mountain is a popular pilgrimage site and tourist attraction. Every last Sunday of July, devoted pilgrims undertake a challenging climb to the peak, where they visit a chapel, attend Mass, and often perform acts of penance like walking barefoot or on their knees.
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For those who find the pilgrimage too demanding for a leisure trip, fret not. Westport itself offers plenty of entertainment options. The town boasts a Georgian town center, with stone bridges connecting a tree-lined pathway along the Carrowbeg River banks.
What sets Westport apart is its cleanliness and high quality of life. The town has won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times in 2001, 2006, and 2008, and in 2012, it clinched the title of Best Place to Live in Ireland in a competition organized by The Irish Times.
As expected, Westport is not short of pubs. Establishments like Matt Molloy’s, MacBride’s, Porter House, and JJ O’Malley’s are excellent choices and often host traditional music sessions in the evenings.
On pleasant days, taking a stroll along the Quay and onwards to The Point is highly recommended. This area is a fantastic spot to mingle with locals as they enjoy the shallow waters of Clew Bay. It’s a great place to observe the friendly interactions, laughter, and gossip among friends and neighbors.
Many visitors to Westport opt to explore the surrounding natural beauty beyond the town, immersing themselves in the breathtaking landscapes. Clew Bay is famous for having “an island for every day of the year,” although there are around 120 named islands, with numerous smaller limestone drumlins emerging at low tide. Clare Island, the largest of the genuine islands, stands out with its impressive silhouette resembling a giant humpback whale on the horizon.
A short ferry ride from Roonagh Pier will take you to Clare Island, where you