Westport

County Mayo, Ireland

(Mini Guide)

Westport (Irish name Cathair na Mart, meaning ‘the stone fort of the beeves’) is a small seaside town located along the Wild Atlantic Way in County Mayo, on Ireland’s west coast. Croagh Patrick mountain and Clew Bay forms the backdrop to the town, along with rocky beaches, tree-lined promenades and several stone bridges.

With its beautiful vistas, fresh seafood, and lively town centre, Westport offers something for every type of wanderer – away from the tourist crowds you’ll find in many other parts of Ireland.

If you want to experience more of our Irish adventures, click here for our free Dingle mini guide.

Using the guide

Explore our Mini Guide to Westport below. Read through a curated list of our favourite places (Grid view), use the Filter to find specific tips on restaurants, bars, coffee spots, retail and more, or use an interactive map (Map view), for when you’re on-the-go. Pins have been colour-coded so you can easily find the places that appeal most to you.

Charlie’s at the Towers

@charliestowerswestport

This recently renovated restaurant and outdoor bar is located right on the water at Westport Quay. With unbeatable views and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s a lovely spot for a drink whilst watching the sun set. Or if the weather allows, dine al fresco in their large outdoor space, with a menu of fresh seafood – there’s even a food truck offering casual bites.

The Quay, Westport, Co. Mayo

Cornrue Bakery

@cornrue_bakery

The award-winning Cornrue Bakery is the perfect stop for a morning coffee and fresh sourdough bread, cakes, scones and cinnamon rolls (if you’re lucky!). They tend to sell out so make sure to head there early. Owner Patrick O’Reilly is very welcoming and will make you feel like an old friend, sharing stories about his baked goods and worldly travels. We recommend ordering a slice of the Basque Cheesecake and Tunisain Orange cake to have in with your coffee, or take-away as we did, for our road-trip around Achill Island.

New Road, Westport, Co. Mayo

Cronin’s Sheebeen

@thesheebeen

This traditional pub is perfect for a Guinness and fresh fish and chips, overlooking Clew Bay. Located just outside of Westport (an easy 40 minute walk from the centre of town), Cronin’s Sheebeen specialises in fresh seafood and traditional Irish dishes. Grab one of the tables out the front, or settle in for the night in one of several snugs inside. The meals are generous and the staff very welcoming.

Rosbeg, Westport, Co. Mayo

Matt Molloy’s

@mattmolloyspub

Owned by folk music legend Matt Molloy (flute player from The Chieftains), this pub in the heart of town is a trad favourite. Grab a Guinness at the bar and squeeze into the back room for intimate nightly music sessions, a lively atmosphere and good ‘craic’ (fun). Music typically starts at 9:30pm Sunday–Thursday and 8pm on Friday and Saturday. This is a drinking pub (there’s no food available), and the back room fills up quickly so it’s best to get there early and make friends with your neighbours.

Bridge St, Westport, Co. Mayo

This Must Be The Place

@thismustbetheplace_westport

Located in the centre of Westport, this cosy cafe serves specialty coffee and a small but delicious seasonal menu using quality Irish ingredients. For breakfast there’s eggs, porridge and granola, and for lunch, simple toasties (made with Cornrue bread) arancini and soup. Plus daily sweet treats including some very tasty scones. They also have a grocery section where you’ll find Irish food products and wines – great for picnics or a meal at your accommodation.

High St, Westport, Co. Mayo

Westport Estate

@westportestate

We loved spending our early morning walks exploring Westport Estate’s 400 acres of beautiful woodland and parkland setting. A network of tracks and trails take you through gardens and paddocks, across lakes and past the historical Westport House. Dating back to the 1500s, the site has a rich history of lords, ladies and even a pirate queen – Grace O’Malley’s castle forms the foundations of Westport House. Entry to the grounds is free, with guided tours of Westport House (there’s thirty rooms open to the public, across three floors) available for €7–15. Also on the estate is an adventure park, cafe, food trucks and accommodation, including campsite, glamping and a luxury hotel set to open in Spring 2026.

Quay Road, Westport, Co. Mayo

sidewalks

Achill Island

Achill Island

From Westport Town Square

50.7km - 58 mins (driving)

Achill Island features some of the best natural beauty we saw in Ireland – white sandy beaches with turquoise water (including five Blue Flag beaches), the highest sea cliffs in the country, soaring mountains, inland lakes, colourful wildflowers and white cottages dotted through the landscape. A 45 minute drive from Westport, it’s a stunning place to spend the day exploring – best done by car or bike. Our favourite stops were Keem Bay, Keel Beach and the white cliffs of Ashleam. If you’re a film fan, The Banshees of Inisherin was largely filmed on Achill Island.

Co. Mayo, Ireland

Croagh Patrick Seafoods

@croaghpatrickseafoodtours

From Westport Town Square

8.9km - 12 mins (driving)

One of our most memorable experiences in Ireland was a visit to Croagh Patrick Seafoods. A ten minute drive from Westport, the family oyster farm offers unique tours run by the very passionate and welcoming owner, Padraig Gannon. With incredible insight into Ireland’s oyster farming history, including Padraig’s own fascinating role in the industry, an oyster shucking demonstration and tutored tasting (including Clew Bay native oysters and their award-winning Pacific oysters), whilst overlooking the oyster beds.There’s also fresh seafood served daily at the new Visitor Centre, including fresh or grilled oysters, steamed mussels and Achill smoked salmon – which you can pair with wine or local beer. Tours are €35 per person, including 6 oysters (served fresh or grilled).

Roslaher, Westport, Co. Mayo

Red Fox Press

@redfoxpress.ireland

From Westport Town Square

57km - 63 mins (driving)

This fabulous little studio, gallery and store is located on a clifftop, overlooking Doogort beach on Achill Island. Co-run by artist duo Francis Van Maele, originally from Belgium, and partner Antic-Ham, from South Korea (they collaborate artistically as ‘Franticham’), the store sells hand-crafted books, traditional prints and contemporary artworks, stationery, Polaroid photos and vintage cameras. The couple designs, prints and makes their own limited edition art books using collage, photography, laser printing, solvent transfer, risograph, stencils, rubber stamping, drawing, and found objects and ephemera. Many of their amazing creations have found their way into the collections of museums and universities worldwide, including the Tate Gallery and V&A Museum in London and the MoMA Library and Metropolitan Art Museum in New York. Red Fox Press is the perfect place to pick up a unique, budget- and travel-friendly souvenir – we came home with several artworks and a vintage camera!

Doogort East, Doogort, Co. Mayo

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