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Westport, County Mayo

Westport (Irish: Cathair na Mart, meaning "the stone fort of the beeves", historically anglicised as Cahernamart)[2] is a town in County Mayo in Ireland.[3] It is at the south-east corner of Clew Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Ireland. Westport is a tourist destination and scores highly for quality of life.[4] It won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times in 2001, 2006 and 2008.[5] In 2012 it won the Best Place to Live in Ireland competition run by The Irish Times.[6]

Westport
Cathair na Mart (Irish)
Town
Mall along Carrowbeg River in Westport
Westport
Location in Ireland
Westport
Westport (Europe)
Coordinates: 53°48′00″N 9°32′00″W / 53.8°N 9.5333°W / 53.8; -9.5333
CountryIreland
ProvinceConnacht
County County Mayo
Elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
 • Urban
6,872
Time zoneUTC±0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (IST)
Eircode routing key
F28
Telephone area code+353(0)98
Irish Grid ReferenceM004841

Westport is designated as a heritage town, and is one of only a few planned towns in Ireland. The town centre was laid-out in the Georgian architectural style, and incorporates the Carrow Beg river into the design composition. This provides for tree lined promenades (known as The Mall) and several stone bridges.

The Carrowbeg river flows through Westport

The pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick, known locally as "the Reek", lies some 10 km west of the town near the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey. The mountain forms the backdrop to the town.

History edit

 
The town of Westport in the early nineteenth century as painted by JA O'Connor. The main elements of the town are already in place.

Name edit

Westport originates and gets its name in the Irish language from a 16th-century castle - Cathair na Mart (meaning "the stone fort of the beeves"[3]- and surrounding settlement, belonging to the powerful local seafaring Ó Máille clan, who controlled the Clew Bay area, then known as Umaill.

Development edit

The original village of Cathair na Mart existed somewhere around what is now the front (east) lawn of Westport House. It had a high street, alleys down to the river and a population of around 700.[7] A small port also existed at the mouth of the Carrowbeg river. Roads lead from the village to the west (West Road), the south (Sandy Hill Road) and the east (Old Paddock Road). The intention of John Browne, later the First Earl of Altamont to move the existing Cahernamart settlement to facilitate the landscaping of parklands around Westport House was outlined to Richard Pococke when he visited Browne in 1752.[3]

 
John Browne, the First Earl of Altamont and Founder of the modern Westport House and the town of Westport

The first clear evidence for the development of the new town is in an advertisement in Faulkner's Dublin Journal on March 17, 1767, stating 'a New Town is immediately to be built near the old town of Westport...according to Plans and Elevations already prepared'. The focal point was to be a 'large and elegant market house' situated in an octagonal market area enclosed by 12 'large well-finished slated Houses. There were to be 'three avenues for streets of thirty slated Houses' and 'several very large streets for great numbers of thatched Houses and cabbins, to be built separately' at a cost of 20-40 guineas each.[3][8] Workmen were to contact Peter Brown-Kelly, son of the Earl or the architect William Leeson[3][9] Westport is designated as a heritage town and is unusual in Ireland in that it is one of only a few planned towns in the country.[10] Unfortunately, the original plans for the town are not available.

 
A map of the new town around 1790 showing the Octagon and earliest streets. The road to Castlebar is via Mill Street. The Market House, a Catholic Chapel in a similar location to today's St Mary's Church, and the old Church of Ireland (now in ruins) in the Demesne are shown.

Its layout follows the medieval principles of urban design introduced by the Normans in the 13th century. A particular feature is the incorporation of the river into the composition, contained for two blocks by low stone walls producing, on each side of the river, tree-lined promenades (The Mall) with several stone bridges over the river Carrow Beg. The Malls were built by the First Marquess of Sligo after 1800. William Bald's map of Mayo which Was surveyed between 1809 and 1817, as well as Henry Browne's map from the same period, shows that the basic framework of Westport's streets including the Malls was present.[3]

 
The Market House is one of the earliest buildings in Westport. Often attributed to James Wyatt, it was actually designed by William Leeson.

In 1778 Peter Browne, 2nd Earl of Altamont engaged James Wyatt (1746-1813) to redesign parts of Westport House, including its dining room. This led to a lasting belief that the well-known Wyatt designed the town, but work was already well advanced on the town when he started work. If he did have any design input into the town project it could only have been to later stages such as the Malls.[11][3] Westport House was originally built by Richard Cassels (also known as Richard Castle), the German architect, in the 1730s, near the site of the original Ó Máille Castle.[12]

 
The Westport branch of the Bank of Ireland established in 1826 by George Clendining was one of the earliest branches of the bank outside Dublin. The Bank took the lease on this townhouse in 1851.[13] The building is now the Credit Union.
 
The Octagon Monument was first erected to honour George Clendining in 1845. The present-day statue by sculptor Ken Thompson depicts Saint Patrick and was erected on Saint Patrick's Day 1990.

Revolutionary period edit

After the Easter Rising, in Westport over 30 Irish Volunteers and Sinn Fein supporters were arrested by the RIC under the Defence of the Realm Act 1914 on the orders of Resident magistrate John Charles Milling and the local District Inspector, Shore.[14] Those arrested included Joe Ring, Tom Derrig and PJ Doris, editor of the Mayo News. They were sent to Frongoch internment camp in Wales. Joe Ring and others were released at Christmas 1916.[citation needed] On 29 March 1919, Milling, resident magistrate to County Mayo since 1915, was killed by the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) at his home on Newport Road, Westport.[15]

During the Irish War of Independence, on 26 March 1921, following the killing of a constable by the IRA four days earlier, the Westport RIC left their barracks to punish the town and area.[15] Homes and businesses of IRA families were targeted. The home and business of Charles Hughes, chairman of the Urban District Council, was destroyed. Similarly destroyed was the pub and shop of Thaddeus Walsh, chairman of the Rural District Council. Other houses in the town and houses in Carrowkennedy, Drummindoo and Carrowbawn were destroyed or burned. The IRA were not deterred by the destruction.[15]

A company of the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary were based in Westport from June 1921.[16]

Following the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the Royal Irish Constabulary pulled out of their barracks for the last time on Monday 12 February 1922 and formally handed over the next day.[15]

Civil War edit

 
Brigadier General Joe Ring, from Drumindoo, Westport, captured Rosmoney Coastguard Station and took part in the seaborne capture of Westport by the new National Army in 1922. He was killed on 24th September 1922 in the Battle of the Ox Mountains.[15]

Early in the Civil War Mayo including Westport was controlled by the Anti-Treaty side. On the evening of 1 April 1922 Joe Ring was arrested in Westport by the IRA and held in Castlebar jail on charges of recruiting for the new National Army.[15] He went on hunger strike and he was released on 13 April and received a hero's welcome in Westport.[15]

A cross-channel ferry, the SS Minerva, was kitted out as a troop carrier by the National Army and left North Wall Dublin on 22 July, sailing around Ireland and arriving in Clew Bay on 24 July 1922. Col. Comdt. Christopher (‘Kit’) O’Malley from the Dublin Guard was in command and accompanied by Brigadier-General Joe Ring.[17] It carried 400 troops and a Rolls-Royce 1920-pattern armoured car, nicknamed the Big Fella, with a Vickers machine gun and an 18-pounder artillery as well as 600 rifles and 150 bicycles. It anchored off Inishlyre. General Ring led a successful landing by sea. First the Coastguard station at Rosmoney was captured by 40 National Army troops, freeing 90 pro-treaty prisoners who were held there. Ring then landed his men and armoured car at Westport Quay. The Republicans, who had not at all expected their arrival, set fire to the barracks and withdrew from the town.[15] The pro-treaty forces were stationed at Westport Town Hall. The troops billeted at there shot off the head of the Clendenning statue.[18]

Modern period edit

Since the late 20th century, Westport has expanded with several new housing estates. Some of these include Springfield, the Carrowbeg Estate, Horkans Hill, Cedar Park, Fairways, Knockranny Village and Sharkey Hill.[citation needed]

Westport House edit

 
East view of Westport House

The original house was built by Colonel John Browne, a Jacobite, who was at the Siege of Limerick, and his wife Maude Bourke. Maude Bourke was Grace O'Malley's great-great-granddaughter. The house then did not have a lake or a dam, and the tide rose and fell against the walls.[19]Peter Browne, 2nd Earl of Altamont acquired slave plantations in Jamaica by marriage. His grandson Howe Peter Browne (2nd Marquess of Sligo) was the Governor of Jamaica when the slaves were freed.[20]

Designed by the architects Richard Cassels, Thomas Ivory and James Wyatt in the 18th century, Westport House is situated in a parkland setting with a lake, terraces, gardens and views overlooking Clew Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Achill, Clare Island and Ireland's Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick.

In January 2017, it was announced that a local family had purchased the house and grounds.[21]

Economy edit

AbbVie a global biopharmaceutical company employs 1,400 people in Westport. AbbVie acquired Allergan in 2020.[22] The global clothing manufacturing company and family business Portwest is based in Westport and was founded there in 1904.[23]

Demographics edit

Between the censuses of 2011 and 2016, the town showed a limited growth from 5,543 to 6,198 inhabitants.[29]

Culture edit

 
Art-Deco Clock tower (1947) in the town centre is a landmark meeting-spot in Westport.[30] The Heart of Westport phone box adjacent to the Clock has a public-access defibrillator (AED).[31]

People from Westport town are traditionally known as "Coveys".[32] Some decades ago the Covey dialect still existed and was unintelligible to outsiders.[citation needed] For example, the Covey word for a woman was a "doner".[33]

Matt Molloy of the Chieftains has a pub and music venue on Bridge Street.[34][35]

 
Westport Town Hall Theatre

Another entertainment venue is the Westport Town Hall Theatre on the Octagon. This was established in the early 1900s, and renovated and refurbished in 2015.[36] The theatre hosts events, artists and musicians, local theatre groups and children's puppet shows.[37]

The Custom House Studios and Gallery is the centre of the local arts scene.[38][39]

Media edit

Newspaper edit

Westport has a regional newspaper based in the town, The Mayo News, founded in 1892 by William and Patrick Dorris.[40][41] Other newspapers available are the Mayo Advertiser, Western People and the Connaught Telegraph.[citation needed]

Radio edit

Local radio is delivered by Westport Radio 98.2 FM.[42][better source needed]

Tourism edit

 
Clew Bay with Clare Island

Westport is County Mayo's premier tourist destination,[43] visited by holidaymakers from all over the world and Ireland.[44]

In 1842, the English novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray, visited Westport and wrote of the town:

"The most beautiful view I ever saw in the world. It forms an event in one's life to have seen that place so beautiful that is it, and so unlike other beauties that I know of. Were such beauties lying on English shores it would be a world's wonder perhaps, if it were on the Mediterranean or Baltic, English travellers would flock to it by hundreds, why not come and see it in Ireland!"[45]

Visitors visit Westport for the scenery, the pubs and restaurants in the town, blue flag beaches, and Croagh Patrick.[46] Its proximity to Connemara, Achill, Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, and its hotels and guest houses, make it a base for holidaymakers to tour the region.[citation needed]

Westport House and its Pirate Adventure Park attracts families. Westport has an 18-hole golf course and nearby a 9-hole course.[citation needed]

In January 2008, Westport became Google Earth's first fully 3D town.[47][48]

Festivals and events edit

Several festivals and events are held in and around Westport each year.[49] These include the Westport Music and Arts Festival (which was rebranded as "Westival" in 2018 and moved from September to October),[50] a Croagh Patrick walking festival in March,[49] a sea angling festival in June,[49] and The Saltwater Festival (of "Music, Food, Art & Culture") in May.[51][better source needed]

Religion edit

 
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church
 
Holy Trinity Anglican Church was designed by Sir Thomas Newenham Deane (1827-99).

There are four churches in the town: The Elim Pentecostal church; Amazing Grace Fellowship, the Catholic Church, St Mary's; the Anglican church, Holy Trinity; the Evangelical church, Calvary Church Westport;[52]

In 1787 Lord Altamont gave the Catholic Parish Priest Dr Charles Lynagh a lease for a Catholic chapel and parochial house at Riverside. A temporary structure may have been erected as the chapel was not commenced for a quarter century later. The foundation stone was laid in 1813. Dr Oliver Kelly received support in this from Catholics and Protestants alike. The building was of cut stone in the Gothic revival style, and fronted onto the Malls which were under construction. The cost of the church was about £6000. By the 1920s the original gothic building was too small and the administrator Father Patterson raised funds for a new church. This cost £30000 and incorporated the old gothic facade in the Mall. The dedication occurred in 1932. Work began to build the present St Mary's church in 1957 with the demolition of the old church and completed by 1961.[53]

The old parish church of the Church of Ireland was built in 1797 beside the Carrowbeg River in the demesne of Westport House.[54] That first church cost £617. 10s. 9d which was a gift from the Board of First Fruits, a body established to fund the building and repair of church buildings in the Church of Ireland in the late eighteenth and nineteenth century. William Thackeray described a 'pretty little church' on the 'pleasure grounds surrounding Westport House.[54] The ruins of the church are still visible today.

By 1855 the Church of Ireland Community was too large for the existing church due to the expansion of the town and the growth of tourism. Not everyone could be accommodated at services and the building was in serious disrepair. The local Select Vestry promised a local contribution of £1200 on condition that the church would be rebuilt in its existing site.[54] In 1868 an appeal was launched which announced that the Marquess of Sligo had donated by the Marquess of Sligo (the present location on Newport Road. The first plans were approved by Joseph Welland in 1869, these were not used apart from the distinctive pencil spire.[54] Thomas Newenham Deane designed the second church. Holy Trinity church displays many features of the neo-Gothic style favoured by John Ruskin. The new Church was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Tuam in 1872.[54] The three main doors are made of iron wrought to create floral forms. The vestry door is on the East Side and is made of wood. The interior of the church is highly decorated. The upper walls of the nave are decorated with murals depicting scenes from the Gospels, erected around 1878. Canon James Owen Hannay whose pen name was George A. Birmingham served as rector from 1892 to 1913.[54] By 1984 the restoration of the church became necessary and as there were only 40 parishioners remaining a Restoration Committee was formed with six Holy Trinity parishioners and six from St. Mary's Catholic Church. A total of £50,000 was raised by 1986 and the work completed.[54]

In 2004 during the structural repairs of St. Mary's church the Select Vestry in Holy Trinity were able to offer St Mary's parishioners hospitality. Weekday and some weekend Masses were celebrated in Holy Trinity.

Historically, a Methodist church existed on the Mall and a Presbyterian church on Distillery Road.

Church records for the 19th century (Church of Ireland, Methodist, Roman Catholic, civil, gravestone inscriptions, etc.) and other historical records for the Westport area are held at the South Mayo Family Research Centre in Ballinrobe and the Clew Bay Heritage Centre at Westport Quay.

Religious Orders edit

The two main religious orders historically associated with Westport are the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy. Dean Bernard Burke wrote to the founder of the Sisters of Mercy Catherine McAuley in 1841 asking for sisters for Westport.[55] None were immediately available but following a renewed request six months after the death of the foundress, the first three sisters arrived in Westport on 9 September 1842. The Dean gave them his own house, Carrowbeg House as a temporary residence, while he went into lodgings for two years. On 24 December 1842 Lord Altamont agreed to Dean Burke's request for a site for a Convent for the Sisters. Dean Burke travelled all over Ireland and raised £3000 for the project. In the spring of 1843, the foundation stone of the new Convent was laid and the Convent built by John Gibbons to the same plan as the Convent in Carlow. Sister Paul Cullen was appointed by Archbishop McHale as the first Reverend Mother of the new convent. She was a sister of Cardinal Paul Cullen.

The Congregation of Christian Brothers arrived in Westport in 1865. They took over the Castlebar Street School for Primary and Secondary students. Initially, they were accommodated in Carrowbeg House. In 1922 they acquired Grove House on Mill Street from the Sisters of Mercy. Then they moved to their new residence on Newport Road where they lived until they left Westport in 2002[55]

Education edit

Westport has two secondary schools, five primary schools and Westport College of Further Education, which opened in 2009.

The secondary schools are Rice College (528 pupils, all-boys)[56] and Sacred Heart School (over 500 pupils, all-girls).[57]

In 2006, Scoil Phadraig na mBráithre (tr. Saint Patrick's Christian Brothers' School) and Saint Patrick's Mercy National School amalgamated to form Scoil Phádraig (tr. St Patrick's School), a Catholic primary school under the patronage of the Archbishop of Tuam.[58] It is the largest primary school in Westport with 300+ pupils and is located on Newport Road on the site of the old Christian Brothers School.

An all-Irish Catholic Primary School, Gaelscoil na Cruaiche was founded in 1995. It received official recognition in 2000 and moved into a permanent school building in June 2011. There are currently 207 pupils attending the school with eleven teachers.[59]

Holy Trinity National School is a Co-educational National School on Newport Road under the patronage of the Church of Ireland. The Newport Road School was a Church of Ireland school for boys and girls set up under the Kildare Street and Tuam Diocesan Societies and lodged in a new building (later called the lecture hall).[55] The building was declared unfit following an inspection in 2010. The school is currently full with 62 pupils.[60]

In February 2022 it was announced that the new school will be located on the grounds of the former Scoil Padraig on Altamont Street and not co-located with Educate together as previously stated. In 2020 staff and pupils had objected to the school being Co-located with Westport Educate Together[61]

The Quay School, also known as Saint Columbkille's Primary School is located at the Quay, Westport.

A new primary school, Westport Educate Together opened in 2019. At first located at Sharkey Hill Community Centre, it is moving to new temporary premises at Westport Woods Hotel for the 2022–23 school year.[62]

History edit

The educational facilities for boys in Westport were for many years associated with the Congregation of Christian Brothers. The first of these facilities was established in Castlebar Street in 1865 before transferring to the Newport road in 1962 where the former national school can still be seen today.[63]

In 1987 the secondary school Rice College was built on Castlebar Road in order to cater for the increased educational requirements.[63]

Transport edit

Rail edit

 
Westport railway station

The town is the terminus of a 250 km Dublin-Westport/Galway railway line from Dublin Heuston in Dublin. This railway connects the town to Castlebar. Westport railway station opened on 28 January 1866.[64] The line originally ran through to Westport Quay station (opened on 1 January 1875 and closed in April 1977).[64] This line was lifted overnight in 1977 by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ). In order to pacify local concern, the bulk of the trackbed of this extension was converted to a public walkway, still open today. There was also a branch to Achill Island branching off after the station, but this closed in 1937.

Bicycle edit

The Great Western Greenway is a greenway rail trail that follows the route of the former Midland Great Western Railway branch line to Achill, via Newport and Mulranny.[65]

Road edit

The N5 national primary route also connects the town to Castlebar, as well as connecting to the N4 near Longford that leads onward to Dublin. The other major road passing through Westport is the N59 national secondary route.

Air edit

The regional airport is Ireland West Airport Knock, 60 km (37 mi) away.

Port (Westport Quay) edit

 
Memorial for the Clew Bay Drowning

Westport has a small adjoining port, the quay, once busy but no longer used for commercial shipping. In 1894, the harbour was the scene of the Clew Bay Drowning.

The quay is situated some distance from the deep waters of Clew Bay, a defensive advantage in the towns development which was noted in an Irish Times article of 1884:

"The port of Westport somewhat resembles Sligo and Ballina in regard to its inaccessibility from the sea. The ancient West Coast population were not anxious to be within easy reach of the pirates and freebooters, who dwelt in the islands or on remote promontories, and accordingly the wealthier inhabitants built their towns where opportunities existed for ensuring a de-fence against a sudden landing. The channel leading from Westport quay is nearly six miles long before it reaches the roadstead of Innislyre, in which ships of burden can anchor or make an immediate run out to sea."[66]

The quay area is now home to a number of warehouse conversions, and has several restaurants and pubs.[citation needed] The Clew Bay Heritage Centre, a small museum celebrating the history of Westport and the maritime history of Clew Bay, is open to the public here.[citation needed]

Sport edit

The Gaelic football club, Westport United soccer club and the rugby club have competed in county and national events.[citation needed] Westport, and the surrounding region, has been identified as a primary centre for adventure sports by Fáilte Ireland.[67] Every August it hosts the largest one-day adventure multi-sport race of its kind in the world – Gael Force West.[68][69] It is also home to horse riding, surfing, sea kayaking, windsurfing and sailing schools and other adventure sports.[70]

Angling edit

Westport is an angling centre providing sea fishing on Clew Bay and game and coarse fishing on nearby loughs and rivers.

Clew Bay is also a sea angling centre hosting several sea fishing competitions each year, and is known as a venue for common skate fishing.[citation needed] It holds the Irish record for a 160 lb white skate. It is also home to tope, huss and ray.[71][72]

Gaelic games edit

The Westport GAA club, CLG Chathair na Mart, have a history going back to the nineteenth century. Gaelic football is the main sport played within the club.[citation needed]

Golf edit

Westport Golf Club (championship) was in 2009 ranked 43rd out of the top 100 golf courses in Ireland by Golf Digest.[73] The Golfers Guide to Ireland 2016 voted Westport as the best Parkland in Connaught for the second time in the preceding three years.[74][better source needed] It has hosted a number of tournaments, including the Ladies Home Internationals in 1989 and the Irish Amateur Close Championship on three occasions, the last time in 1997. It also hosted the Irish PGA Championship in 2002.[citation needed]

Soccer edit

 
Panoramic view of Westport as seen from the Castlebar side, showing Croagh Patrick (left background) and Clare Island (right background)

Westport United football club was founded in 1911. Westport United won the FAI Junior Cup in 2005 in Kilkenny and play their home matches in the newly developed United Park, which opened in September 2016. Westport United still uses the Sports Park for some underage games. The club colours are red and black. Westport also won the Connaught Cup in 1942, 1945, 1949, 1961, 1974, 1987 and 2012 along with numerous Mayo titles.[citation needed] Westport United's training ground is located in The Quay area.[citation needed]

Rugby edit

Westport Rugby Club are located in Carrowholly, a few kilometres outside the town. League and Cawley cup champions in 2016 and junior cup champions in 2015.[citation needed]

Basketball edit

Westport Warriors Basketball Club run for all different age groups and are part of the MABB League.[citation needed]

Notable people edit

International ties edit

Westport is twinned with Plougastel-Daoulas in Brittany, France and with Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The link with the latter has its roots in the 1980s and the official ratification and twinning ceremony took place in 2002.[76]

Since 1982, Westport also has had a partnership with the town of Aror, Kenya, and the people of Westport have contributed to improving the infrastructure of Aror.[77][78]

See also edit

References edit

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Sources edit

  • Peadar O Flanagan, "An Outline History of the Town of Westport. Part 1. The origins and early development of the town 1750–80", in Cathar na Mart: The Journal of the Westport Historical Society; volume 1, part I, 1981; parts II-IV in volumes 2, 3 and 4, 1982–84.
  • Kieran Clarke, "Clew Bay boating disaster", in Cathar na Mart; 6, 1986.
  • Brendan Jeffars, Westport – an early Irish example of town planning, 1734–1950, Cahar na Mart; 8, 1988.
  • Jarlath Duffy, "The port of Westport, 1800–1850", in Cathar na Mart; 15, pp. 1–14, 1995.
  • Vincent Keane, "Westport and the Irish Volunteers. Part I:the early years, 1914–1916", Cathar na Mart; 22, pp. 84–88, 2002

External links edit

  •   Westport (Ireland) travel guide from Wikivoyage
  • Westport Tourism
  • Westport Town Council 18 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  • Westport GAA: CLG Chathair na Mart

westport, county, mayo, westport, irish, cathair, mart, meaning, stone, fort, beeves, historically, anglicised, cahernamart, town, county, mayo, ireland, south, east, corner, clew, inlet, atlantic, ocean, west, coast, ireland, westport, tourist, destination, s. Westport Irish Cathair na Mart meaning the stone fort of the beeves historically anglicised as Cahernamart 2 is a town in County Mayo in Ireland 3 It is at the south east corner of Clew Bay an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Ireland Westport is a tourist destination and scores highly for quality of life 4 It won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times in 2001 2006 and 2008 5 In 2012 it won the Best Place to Live in Ireland competition run by The Irish Times 6 Westport Cathair na Mart Irish TownMall along Carrowbeg River in WestportCoat of armsWestportLocation in IrelandShow map of IrelandWestportWestport Europe Show map of EuropeCoordinates 53 48 00 N 9 32 00 W 53 8 N 9 5333 W 53 8 9 5333CountryIrelandProvinceConnachtCountyCounty MayoElevation80 m 260 ft Population 2022 1 Urban6 872Time zoneUTC 0 WET Summer DST UTC 1 IST Eircode routing keyF28Telephone area code 353 0 98Irish Grid ReferenceM004841Westport is designated as a heritage town and is one of only a few planned towns in Ireland The town centre was laid out in the Georgian architectural style and incorporates the Carrow Beg river into the design composition This provides for tree lined promenades known as The Mall and several stone bridges The Carrowbeg river flows through WestportThe pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick known locally as the Reek lies some 10 km west of the town near the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey The mountain forms the backdrop to the town Contents 1 History 1 1 Name 1 2 Development 1 3 Revolutionary period 1 4 Civil War 1 5 Modern period 1 6 Westport House 2 Economy 3 Demographics 4 Culture 5 Media 5 1 Newspaper 5 2 Radio 6 Tourism 6 1 Festivals and events 7 Religion 7 1 Religious Orders 8 Education 8 1 History 9 Transport 9 1 Rail 9 2 Bicycle 9 3 Road 9 4 Air 9 5 Port Westport Quay 10 Sport 10 1 Angling 10 2 Gaelic games 10 3 Golf 10 4 Soccer 10 5 Rugby 10 6 Basketball 11 Notable people 12 International ties 13 See also 14 References 15 Sources 16 External linksHistory edit nbsp The town of Westport in the early nineteenth century as painted by JA O Connor The main elements of the town are already in place Name edit Westport originates and gets its name in the Irish language from a 16th century castle Cathair na Mart meaning the stone fort of the beeves 3 and surrounding settlement belonging to the powerful local seafaring o Maille clan who controlled the Clew Bay area then known as Umaill Development edit The original village of Cathair na Mart existed somewhere around what is now the front east lawn of Westport House It had a high street alleys down to the river and a population of around 700 7 A small port also existed at the mouth of the Carrowbeg river Roads lead from the village to the west West Road the south Sandy Hill Road and the east Old Paddock Road The intention of John Browne later the First Earl of Altamont to move the existing Cahernamart settlement to facilitate the landscaping of parklands around Westport House was outlined to Richard Pococke when he visited Browne in 1752 3 nbsp John Browne the First Earl of Altamont and Founder of the modern Westport House and the town of WestportThe first clear evidence for the development of the new town is in an advertisement in Faulkner s Dublin Journal on March 17 1767 stating a New Town is immediately to be built near the old town of Westport according to Plans and Elevations already prepared The focal point was to be a large and elegant market house situated in an octagonal market area enclosed by 12 large well finished slated Houses There were to be three avenues for streets of thirty slated Houses and several very large streets for great numbers of thatched Houses and cabbins to be built separately at a cost of 20 40 guineas each 3 8 Workmen were to contact Peter Brown Kelly son of the Earl or the architect William Leeson 3 9 Westport is designated as a heritage town and is unusual in Ireland in that it is one of only a few planned towns in the country 10 Unfortunately the original plans for the town are not available nbsp A map of the new town around 1790 showing the Octagon and earliest streets The road to Castlebar is via Mill Street The Market House a Catholic Chapel in a similar location to today s St Mary s Church and the old Church of Ireland now in ruins in the Demesne are shown Its layout follows the medieval principles of urban design introduced by the Normans in the 13th century A particular feature is the incorporation of the river into the composition contained for two blocks by low stone walls producing on each side of the river tree lined promenades The Mall with several stone bridges over the river Carrow Beg The Malls were built by the First Marquess of Sligo after 1800 William Bald s map of Mayo which Was surveyed between 1809 and 1817 as well as Henry Browne s map from the same period shows that the basic framework of Westport s streets including the Malls was present 3 nbsp The Market House is one of the earliest buildings in Westport Often attributed to James Wyatt it was actually designed by William Leeson In 1778 Peter Browne 2nd Earl of Altamont engaged James Wyatt 1746 1813 to redesign parts of Westport House including its dining room This led to a lasting belief that the well known Wyatt designed the town but work was already well advanced on the town when he started work If he did have any design input into the town project it could only have been to later stages such as the Malls 11 3 Westport House was originally built by Richard Cassels also known as Richard Castle the German architect in the 1730s near the site of the original o Maille Castle 12 nbsp The Westport branch of the Bank of Ireland established in 1826 by George Clendining was one of the earliest branches of the bank outside Dublin The Bank took the lease on this townhouse in 1851 13 The building is now the Credit Union nbsp The Octagon Monument was first erected to honour George Clendining in 1845 The present day statue by sculptor Ken Thompson depicts Saint Patrick and was erected on Saint Patrick s Day 1990 Revolutionary period edit After the Easter Rising in Westport over 30 Irish Volunteers and Sinn Fein supporters were arrested by the RIC under the Defence of the Realm Act 1914 on the orders of Resident magistrate John Charles Milling and the local District Inspector Shore 14 Those arrested included Joe Ring Tom Derrig and PJ Doris editor of the Mayo News They were sent to Frongoch internment camp in Wales Joe Ring and others were released at Christmas 1916 citation needed On 29 March 1919 Milling resident magistrate to County Mayo since 1915 was killed by the Irish Republican Brotherhood IRB at his home on Newport Road Westport 15 During the Irish War of Independence on 26 March 1921 following the killing of a constable by the IRA four days earlier the Westport RIC left their barracks to punish the town and area 15 Homes and businesses of IRA families were targeted The home and business of Charles Hughes chairman of the Urban District Council was destroyed Similarly destroyed was the pub and shop of Thaddeus Walsh chairman of the Rural District Council Other houses in the town and houses in Carrowkennedy Drummindoo and Carrowbawn were destroyed or burned The IRA were not deterred by the destruction 15 A company of the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary were based in Westport from June 1921 16 Following the Anglo Irish Treaty the Royal Irish Constabulary pulled out of their barracks for the last time on Monday 12 February 1922 and formally handed over the next day 15 Civil War edit nbsp Brigadier General Joe Ring from Drumindoo Westport captured Rosmoney Coastguard Station and took part in the seaborne capture of Westport by the new National Army in 1922 He was killed on 24th September 1922 in the Battle of the Ox Mountains 15 Early in the Civil War Mayo including Westport was controlled by the Anti Treaty side On the evening of 1 April 1922 Joe Ring was arrested in Westport by the IRA and held in Castlebar jail on charges of recruiting for the new National Army 15 He went on hunger strike and he was released on 13 April and received a hero s welcome in Westport 15 A cross channel ferry the SS Minerva was kitted out as a troop carrier by the National Army and left North Wall Dublin on 22 July sailing around Ireland and arriving in Clew Bay on 24 July 1922 Col Comdt Christopher Kit O Malley from the Dublin Guard was in command and accompanied by Brigadier General Joe Ring 17 It carried 400 troops and a Rolls Royce 1920 pattern armoured car nicknamed the Big Fella with a Vickers machine gun and an 18 pounder artillery as well as 600 rifles and 150 bicycles It anchored off Inishlyre General Ring led a successful landing by sea First the Coastguard station at Rosmoney was captured by 40 National Army troops freeing 90 pro treaty prisoners who were held there Ring then landed his men and armoured car at Westport Quay The Republicans who had not at all expected their arrival set fire to the barracks and withdrew from the town 15 The pro treaty forces were stationed at Westport Town Hall The troops billeted at there shot off the head of the Clendenning statue 18 Modern period edit Since the late 20th century Westport has expanded with several new housing estates Some of these include Springfield the Carrowbeg Estate Horkans Hill Cedar Park Fairways Knockranny Village and Sharkey Hill citation needed Westport House edit nbsp East view of Westport HouseMain article Westport House The original house was built by Colonel John Browne a Jacobite who was at the Siege of Limerick and his wife Maude Bourke Maude Bourke was Grace O Malley s great great granddaughter The house then did not have a lake or a dam and the tide rose and fell against the walls 19 Peter Browne 2nd Earl of Altamont acquired slave plantations in Jamaica by marriage His grandson Howe Peter Browne 2nd Marquess of Sligo was the Governor of Jamaica when the slaves were freed 20 Designed by the architects Richard Cassels Thomas Ivory and James Wyatt in the 18th century Westport House is situated in a parkland setting with a lake terraces gardens and views overlooking Clew Bay the Atlantic Ocean Achill Clare Island and Ireland s Holy Mountain Croagh Patrick In January 2017 it was announced that a local family had purchased the house and grounds 21 Economy editAbbVie a global biopharmaceutical company employs 1 400 people in Westport AbbVie acquired Allergan in 2020 22 The global clothing manufacturing company and family business Portwest is based in Westport and was founded there in 1904 23 Demographics editHistorical populationYearPop 18214 326 18314 448 2 8 18414 365 1 9 18514 114 5 8 18613 819 7 2 18714 417 15 7 18814 469 1 2 18914 070 8 9 19013 892 4 4 19113 674 5 6 19263 488 5 1 19363 409 2 3 19463 240 5 0 19513 104 4 2 19562 947 5 1 19612 882 2 2 19662 927 1 6 19713 023 3 3 19813 378 11 7 19863 456 2 3 19913 688 6 7 19964 520 22 6 20025 634 24 6 20065 475 2 8 20115 543 1 2 20166 198 11 8 20226 872 10 9 1 24 25 26 27 28 Between the censuses of 2011 and 2016 the town showed a limited growth from 5 543 to 6 198 inhabitants 29 Culture edit nbsp Art Deco Clock tower 1947 in the town centre is a landmark meeting spot in Westport 30 The Heart of Westport phone box adjacent to the Clock has a public access defibrillator AED 31 People from Westport town are traditionally known as Coveys 32 Some decades ago the Covey dialect still existed and was unintelligible to outsiders citation needed For example the Covey word for a woman was a doner 33 Matt Molloy of the Chieftains has a pub and music venue on Bridge Street 34 35 nbsp Westport Town Hall TheatreAnother entertainment venue is the Westport Town Hall Theatre on the Octagon This was established in the early 1900s and renovated and refurbished in 2015 36 The theatre hosts events artists and musicians local theatre groups and children s puppet shows 37 The Custom House Studios and Gallery is the centre of the local arts scene 38 39 Media editNewspaper edit Westport has a regional newspaper based in the town The Mayo News founded in 1892 by William and Patrick Dorris 40 41 Other newspapers available are the Mayo Advertiser Western People and the Connaught Telegraph citation needed Radio edit Local radio is delivered by Westport Radio 98 2 FM 42 better source needed Tourism edit nbsp Clew Bay with Clare IslandWestport is County Mayo s premier tourist destination 43 visited by holidaymakers from all over the world and Ireland 44 In 1842 the English novelist William Makepeace Thackeray visited Westport and wrote of the town The most beautiful view I ever saw in the world It forms an event in one s life to have seen that place so beautiful that is it and so unlike other beauties that I know of Were such beauties lying on English shores it would be a world s wonder perhaps if it were on the Mediterranean or Baltic English travellers would flock to it by hundreds why not come and see it in Ireland 45 Visitors visit Westport for the scenery the pubs and restaurants in the town blue flag beaches and Croagh Patrick 46 Its proximity to Connemara Achill Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick and its hotels and guest houses make it a base for holidaymakers to tour the region citation needed Westport House and its Pirate Adventure Park attracts families Westport has an 18 hole golf course and nearby a 9 hole course citation needed In January 2008 Westport became Google Earth s first fully 3D town 47 48 Festivals and events edit Several festivals and events are held in and around Westport each year 49 These include the Westport Music and Arts Festival which was rebranded as Westival in 2018 and moved from September to October 50 a Croagh Patrick walking festival in March 49 a sea angling festival in June 49 and The Saltwater Festival of Music Food Art amp Culture in May 51 better source needed Religion edit nbsp St Mary s Roman Catholic Church nbsp Holy Trinity Anglican Church was designed by Sir Thomas Newenham Deane 1827 99 There are four churches in the town The Elim Pentecostal church Amazing Grace Fellowship the Catholic Church St Mary s the Anglican church Holy Trinity the Evangelical church Calvary Church Westport 52 In 1787 Lord Altamont gave the Catholic Parish Priest Dr Charles Lynagh a lease for a Catholic chapel and parochial house at Riverside A temporary structure may have been erected as the chapel was not commenced for a quarter century later The foundation stone was laid in 1813 Dr Oliver Kelly received support in this from Catholics and Protestants alike The building was of cut stone in the Gothic revival style and fronted onto the Malls which were under construction The cost of the church was about 6000 By the 1920s the original gothic building was too small and the administrator Father Patterson raised funds for a new church This cost 30000 and incorporated the old gothic facade in the Mall The dedication occurred in 1932 Work began to build the present St Mary s church in 1957 with the demolition of the old church and completed by 1961 53 The old parish church of the Church of Ireland was built in 1797 beside the Carrowbeg River in the demesne of Westport House 54 That first church cost 617 10s 9d which was a gift from the Board of First Fruits a body established to fund the building and repair of church buildings in the Church of Ireland in the late eighteenth and nineteenth century William Thackeray described a pretty little church on the pleasure grounds surrounding Westport House 54 The ruins of the church are still visible today By 1855 the Church of Ireland Community was too large for the existing church due to the expansion of the town and the growth of tourism Not everyone could be accommodated at services and the building was in serious disrepair The local Select Vestry promised a local contribution of 1200 on condition that the church would be rebuilt in its existing site 54 In 1868 an appeal was launched which announced that the Marquess of Sligo had donated by the Marquess of Sligo the present location on Newport Road The first plans were approved by Joseph Welland in 1869 these were not used apart from the distinctive pencil spire 54 Thomas Newenham Deane designed the second church Holy Trinity church displays many features of the neo Gothic style favoured by John Ruskin The new Church was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Tuam in 1872 54 The three main doors are made of iron wrought to create floral forms The vestry door is on the East Side and is made of wood The interior of the church is highly decorated The upper walls of the nave are decorated with murals depicting scenes from the Gospels erected around 1878 Canon James Owen Hannay whose pen name was George A Birmingham served as rector from 1892 to 1913 54 By 1984 the restoration of the church became necessary and as there were only 40 parishioners remaining a Restoration Committee was formed with six Holy Trinity parishioners and six from St Mary s Catholic Church A total of 50 000 was raised by 1986 and the work completed 54 In 2004 during the structural repairs of St Mary s church the Select Vestry in Holy Trinity were able to offer St Mary s parishioners hospitality Weekday and some weekend Masses were celebrated in Holy Trinity Historically a Methodist church existed on the Mall and a Presbyterian church on Distillery Road Church records for the 19th century Church of Ireland Methodist Roman Catholic civil gravestone inscriptions etc and other historical records for the Westport area are held at the South Mayo Family Research Centre in Ballinrobe and the Clew Bay Heritage Centre at Westport Quay Religious Orders edit The two main religious orders historically associated with Westport are the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy Dean Bernard Burke wrote to the founder of the Sisters of Mercy Catherine McAuley in 1841 asking for sisters for Westport 55 None were immediately available but following a renewed request six months after the death of the foundress the first three sisters arrived in Westport on 9 September 1842 The Dean gave them his own house Carrowbeg House as a temporary residence while he went into lodgings for two years On 24 December 1842 Lord Altamont agreed to Dean Burke s request for a site for a Convent for the Sisters Dean Burke travelled all over Ireland and raised 3000 for the project In the spring of 1843 the foundation stone of the new Convent was laid and the Convent built by John Gibbons to the same plan as the Convent in Carlow Sister Paul Cullen was appointed by Archbishop McHale as the first Reverend Mother of the new convent She was a sister of Cardinal Paul Cullen The Congregation of Christian Brothers arrived in Westport in 1865 They took over the Castlebar Street School for Primary and Secondary students Initially they were accommodated in Carrowbeg House In 1922 they acquired Grove House on Mill Street from the Sisters of Mercy Then they moved to their new residence on Newport Road where they lived until they left Westport in 2002 55 Education editWestport has two secondary schools five primary schools and Westport College of Further Education which opened in 2009 The secondary schools are Rice College 528 pupils all boys 56 and Sacred Heart School over 500 pupils all girls 57 In 2006 Scoil Phadraig na mBraithre tr Saint Patrick s Christian Brothers School and Saint Patrick s Mercy National School amalgamated to form Scoil Phadraig tr St Patrick s School a Catholic primary school under the patronage of the Archbishop of Tuam 58 It is the largest primary school in Westport with 300 pupils and is located on Newport Road on the site of the old Christian Brothers School An all Irish Catholic Primary School Gaelscoil na Cruaiche was founded in 1995 It received official recognition in 2000 and moved into a permanent school building in June 2011 There are currently 207 pupils attending the school with eleven teachers 59 Holy Trinity National School is a Co educational National School on Newport Road under the patronage of the Church of Ireland The Newport Road School was a Church of Ireland school for boys and girls set up under the Kildare Street and Tuam Diocesan Societies and lodged in a new building later called the lecture hall 55 The building was declared unfit following an inspection in 2010 The school is currently full with 62 pupils 60 In February 2022 it was announced that the new school will be located on the grounds of the former Scoil Padraig on Altamont Street and not co located with Educate together as previously stated In 2020 staff and pupils had objected to the school being Co located with Westport Educate Together 61 The Quay School also known as Saint Columbkille s Primary School is located at the Quay Westport A new primary school Westport Educate Together opened in 2019 At first located at Sharkey Hill Community Centre it is moving to new temporary premises at Westport Woods Hotel for the 2022 23 school year 62 History edit The educational facilities for boys in Westport were for many years associated with the Congregation of Christian Brothers The first of these facilities was established in Castlebar Street in 1865 before transferring to the Newport road in 1962 where the former national school can still be seen today 63 In 1987 the secondary school Rice College was built on Castlebar Road in order to cater for the increased educational requirements 63 Transport editRail edit nbsp Westport railway stationThe town is the terminus of a 250 km Dublin Westport Galway railway line from Dublin Heuston in Dublin This railway connects the town to Castlebar Westport railway station opened on 28 January 1866 64 The line originally ran through to Westport Quay station opened on 1 January 1875 and closed in April 1977 64 This line was lifted overnight in 1977 by Coras Iompair Eireann CIE In order to pacify local concern the bulk of the trackbed of this extension was converted to a public walkway still open today There was also a branch to Achill Island branching off after the station but this closed in 1937 Bicycle edit The Great Western Greenway is a greenway rail trail that follows the route of the former Midland Great Western Railway branch line to Achill via Newport and Mulranny 65 Road edit The N5 national primary route also connects the town to Castlebar as well as connecting to the N4 near Longford that leads onward to Dublin The other major road passing through Westport is the N59 national secondary route Air edit The regional airport is Ireland West Airport Knock 60 km 37 mi away Port Westport Quay edit nbsp Memorial for the Clew Bay DrowningWestport has a small adjoining port the quay once busy but no longer used for commercial shipping In 1894 the harbour was the scene of the Clew Bay Drowning The quay is situated some distance from the deep waters of Clew Bay a defensive advantage in the towns development which was noted in an Irish Times article of 1884 The port of Westport somewhat resembles Sligo and Ballina in regard to its inaccessibility from the sea The ancient West Coast population were not anxious to be within easy reach of the pirates and freebooters who dwelt in the islands or on remote promontories and accordingly the wealthier inhabitants built their towns where opportunities existed for ensuring a de fence against a sudden landing The channel leading from Westport quay is nearly six miles long before it reaches the roadstead of Innislyre in which ships of burden can anchor or make an immediate run out to sea 66 The quay area is now home to a number of warehouse conversions and has several restaurants and pubs citation needed The Clew Bay Heritage Centre a small museum celebrating the history of Westport and the maritime history of Clew Bay is open to the public here citation needed Sport editThe Gaelic football club Westport United soccer club and the rugby club have competed in county and national events citation needed Westport and the surrounding region has been identified as a primary centre for adventure sports by Failte Ireland 67 Every August it hosts the largest one day adventure multi sport race of its kind in the world Gael Force West 68 69 It is also home to horse riding surfing sea kayaking windsurfing and sailing schools and other adventure sports 70 Angling edit Westport is an angling centre providing sea fishing on Clew Bay and game and coarse fishing on nearby loughs and rivers Clew Bay is also a sea angling centre hosting several sea fishing competitions each year and is known as a venue for common skate fishing citation needed It holds the Irish record for a 160 lb white skate It is also home to tope huss and ray 71 72 Gaelic games edit The Westport GAA club CLG Chathair na Mart have a history going back to the nineteenth century Gaelic football is the main sport played within the club citation needed Golf edit Westport Golf Club championship was in 2009 ranked 43rd out of the top 100 golf courses in Ireland by Golf Digest 73 The Golfers Guide to Ireland 2016 voted Westport as the best Parkland in Connaught for the second time in the preceding three years 74 better source needed It has hosted a number of tournaments including the Ladies Home Internationals in 1989 and the Irish Amateur Close Championship on three occasions the last time in 1997 It also hosted the Irish PGA Championship in 2002 citation needed Soccer edit nbsp Panoramic view of Westport as seen from the Castlebar side showing Croagh Patrick left background and Clare Island right background Westport United football club was founded in 1911 Westport United won the FAI Junior Cup in 2005 in Kilkenny and play their home matches in the newly developed United Park which opened in September 2016 Westport United still uses the Sports Park for some underage games The club colours are red and black Westport also won the Connaught Cup in 1942 1945 1949 1961 1974 1987 and 2012 along with numerous Mayo titles citation needed Westport United s training ground is located in The Quay area citation needed Rugby edit Westport Rugby Club are located in Carrowholly a few kilometres outside the town League and Cawley cup champions in 2016 and junior cup champions in 2015 citation needed Basketball edit Westport Warriors Basketball Club run for all different age groups and are part of the MABB League citation needed Notable people editThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Westport County Mayo news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message See also Category People from Westport County Mayo Cornelius Coughlan 1828 1915 Irish recipient of Victoria Cross died and buried in Westport 75 George A Birmingham 1865 1950 writer rector of Holy Trinity Church Westport His play General John Regan caused a riot when staged in Westport John MacBride 1868 1916 Born in Westport he was executed in 1916 for his part in the Easter Rising He is commemorated by a monument on the Mall He was the father of Nobel peace laureate Sean MacBride Joseph Maher 1933 1998 actor Seamus Hughes born 1952 politician Fianna Fail Teachta Dala TD for the Mayo West constituency Michael Ring born 1953 Fine Gael politician Teachta Dala TD for the Mayo constituency Lee Keegan born 1989 Gaelic footballer Conor O Malley born 1994 footballerInternational ties editWestport is twinned with Plougastel Daoulas in Brittany France and with Limavady County Londonderry Northern Ireland The link with the latter has its roots in the 1980s and the official ratification and twinning ceremony took place in 2002 76 Since 1982 Westport also has had a partnership with the town of Aror Kenya and the people of Westport have contributed to improving the infrastructure of Aror 77 78 See also editList of towns and villages in IrelandReferences edit a b Profile 1 Population Distribution and Movement F1015 Population Census 2022 Central Statistics Office Ireland Retrieved 16 September 2023 Placenames Database of Ireland Archived 4 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine see archival records a b c d e f g Westport Before 1800 by Michael Kelly published in Cathair Na Mart 2019 LikePlace Ranking for this place www likeplace ie Archived from the original on 29 July 2018 Retrieved 4 April 2018 Three time winner of the SuperValu TidyTowns Competition Westport share some of their secrets for success Irish Independent 8 July 2016 Archived from the original on 25 August 2018 Retrieved 31 May 2018 Conor Goodman 30 June 2012 The Best Place to Live in Ireland How Westport won The Irish Times Archived from the original on 12 January 2017 Retrieved 31 May 2018 Peadar O Flanagain An Outline History of the Town of Westport Cathair na Mart Journal Antiquities of West Mayo Christiaan Corlett pp87 amp Cathair na Mart No 26 2008 Journal of the Westport Historical Society pp124 LEESON WILLIAM Dictionary of Irish Architects www dia ie Archived from the original on 17 August 2018 Retrieved 17 August 2018 Westport Co Mayo Ireland Heritage Town www heritagetowns com Archived from the original on 27 May 2010 Retrieved 4 April 2018 WYATT JAMES Dictionary of Irish Architects www dia ie Archived from the original on 25 August 2021 Retrieved 25 August 2021 CASTLE RICHARD Dictionary of Irish Architects www dia ie Archived from the original on 9 July 2021 Retrieved 25 August 2021 An Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of County Mayo ISBN 978 1 4064 2622 9 c Government of Ireland 2013 http westmayo ie wp content uploads 2020 12 District Inspector Resident Magistrate John Charles Miling 2 pdf District Inspector amp Resident Magistrate John Charles Milling by Dominic Price a b c d e f g h The Flame and the Candle by Dominic Price published by The Collins Press 2012 ISBN 9781848891364 Atlas of the Irish Revolution Edited by John Crowley Donal O Drisceoip and Mike Murphy published by Cork UniversityPress 2017 ISBN 9781782051176 The Arrival of the National Army in Clew Bay 24 July 1922 26 June 2022 The Men of the West by Westport Historical Society edited by Sean Cadden Harry Hughes Vincent Keane and James Kelly Copyright Westport Historical Society Chapter 19 Brigadier General Joe Rings by Peadar O Flanagain Westport House A Brief History published by Westport House 2008 Hogan Liam 27 July 2014 Opinion Following the money Irish slave owners in the time of abolition thejournal ie Archived from the original on 18 February 2018 Retrieved 4 April 2018 Westport House sold to local Mayo business family Independent ie independent ie 27 January 2017 Archived from the original on 30 July 2018 Retrieved 4 April 2018 AbbVie recognised as a great place to work at 2022 awards ceremony Mayo Advertiser Fri Apr 01 2022 About Us In portwest com Census 2016 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Failte Ireland Gaelforce West 2009 RunIreland com runireland com 9 April 2009 Archived from the original on 15 July 2011 Retrieved 4 April 2018 Multimedia eCreo KILLARY GAELFORCE www gaelforceevents com Archived from the original on 14 January 2010 Retrieved 4 April 2018 Multimedia eCreo GAELFORCE WEST www gaelforceevents com Archived from the original on 7 October 2010 Retrieved 4 April 2018 Sea Angling Archived from the original on 22 June 2010 Retrieved 18 January 2010 UKSeaFishing Com Irish Sea Fishing Records Archived from the original on 6 October 2008 Retrieved 18 January 2010 Golf Digest Ireland Top 100 for 2009 irishgolfdesk com Archived from the original on 29 April 2010 Retrieved 4 April 2018 Westport Golf Club is an 18 hole championship golf course situated in Mayo in the west of Ireland www westportgolfclub ie Archived from the original on 16 November 2017 Retrieved 15 November 2017 Ceremony pays tribute to bravery of soldier Irish Examiner 7 August 2004 Retrieved 7 October 2021 Twin Towns Archived from the original on 21 December 2009 Retrieved 26 January 2010 What We Do Westport Aror Partnership Archived from the original on 17 August 2018 Retrieved 8 October 2018 MacNiff Peter 20 March 1991 Westport Twinned With Aror RTE Archived from the original on 8 October 2018 Retrieved 8 October 2018 Sources editPeadar O Flanagan An Outline History of the Town of Westport Part 1 The origins and early development of the town 1750 80 in Cathar na Mart The Journal of the Westport Historical Society volume 1 part I 1981 parts II IV in volumes 2 3 and 4 1982 84 Kieran Clarke Clew Bay boating disaster in Cathar na Mart 6 1986 Brendan Jeffars Westport an early Irish example of town planning 1734 1950 Cahar na Mart 8 1988 Jarlath Duffy The port of Westport 1800 1850 in Cathar na Mart 15 pp 1 14 1995 Vincent Keane Westport and the Irish Volunteers Part I the early years 1914 1916 Cathar na Mart 22 pp 84 88 2002External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Westport County Mayo nbsp Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica article Westport nbsp Westport Ireland travel guide from Wikivoyage Westport Tourism Westport Town Council Archived 18 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine Westport GAA CLG Chathair na Mart Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Westport County Mayo amp oldid 1215750510, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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