Westport regularly tops national polls for prettiest town in Ireland and it earns it. The 18th century planners who laid the place out, including the architect James Wyatt, designed it as a model town for the Marquess of Sligo, with a tree-lined Mall along the canalised river and an octagonal central square. The plan still works two and a half centuries later.
The Mall
The Mall, the tree-lined street that runs along both sides of the Carrowbeg river, is the prettiest stretch of town. The river is narrow, the bridges are stone, and the houses on either side are tall Georgian with painted facades. Walking it on a sunny morning is one of the great low-key pleasures of Irish travel.
The Octagon
The eight-sided central square has a column with a statue of George Glendinning, a local 19th century banker, on top. The pubs and cafes around the Octagon are the working centre of the town. The market sets up here on Thursday mornings.
Westport House
The original family seat of the Marquesses of Sligo, opened to the public for over fifty years and now run as a private estate with a small theme park (which sounds incongruous but works for families). The house tour is good if you like Georgian interiors. The grounds are open and pleasant for a walk even if you do not pay for the house.
The Greenway
The Great Western Greenway is a 42-kilometre walking and cycling trail along the route of the old Westport-to-Achill railway. It runs from Westport, through Newport, Mulranny and across to Achill Sound. Bike rental in Westport. Doing the full length one-way takes about four hours by bike with stops, and there are shuttle buses to bring you back.
Eating in Westport
Pantry & Corkscrew is the long-standing fine-dining option. Sage in Newport (just down the road) is a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The Tavern Bar in Murrisk does proper bar food and is right at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Sol Rio on Bridge Street is a reliable mid-priced restaurant with a strong local following.
Pubs and music
Matt Molloy's, owned by the flute player from the Chieftains, has the most reliable trad sessions in town, every night in summer. Hoban's and the West are good for less touristy pints.
How to get there
Westport is on the Dublin-Westport train line, three and a quarter hours from Heuston. By car it is about three and a half hours from Dublin via the M4 and N5. Knock Airport is a forty five minute drive.