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Westport: fantastic family fun, whatever the weather

Westport is an ideal family holiday destination. Whether you’re into the great outdoors, or prefer to stay warm and toasty inside, you’ll find plenty to choose from.

Just a short drive away from many beautiful natural resources, including blue flag beaches and spectacular mountains, Westport is a perfect base if you want to explore West Mayo. Stay in one of the many quality hotels catering to families, and fill your days with outings or with organised activities right here in town.

Family fun in the great outdoors

Westport is a superb base for families to enjoy the great outdoors. Within easy reach of the town you’ll find a wealth of beautiful blue flag beaches,  loop walks, The Great Western Greenway, horse riding centres and loads of places to visit. In the town itself there are a wide range of things to do, from the Pirate Adventure Park at Westport House, to the Westport Skate Park and a number of playgrounds.

Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park If you’re looking for a variety of things to do to excite the whole family, look no further!  A visit to Westport House delivers the ultimate family day out, and the Pirate Adventure Park is ideally suited to children under 12 years old. For you, the 18th century historic house with over 30 rooms open to the public, 4 exhibitions, guided tours telling the story of the family & the house as well as the Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley, Tea Rooms and much more.

One of the many new bridges built on the Great Western Greenway, with the ancient Burrishoole Bridge in the background.

The Great Western Greenway is a 42km walking and cycling trail that’s almost entirely off-road and is perfect for families. You can hire bikes (or bring your own) to follow the track to Newport, Mulranny, or all the way to Achill.

The Westport Greenway is a beautiful tree-lined 2.5km straight-line walking and cycling trail which links the town centre and the Quay. It offers traffic-free cycling and walking, as well as impressive views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay.

Of all the things to do in Mayo, a visit to a Blue Flag beach or a Green Coast beach is one of the best options for a family outing. The beaches nearest to Westport are Bertra, Old Head, Carrowmore and Carrownisky.

In addition to the purpose-built skateboarding and rollerblading area, Westport Skate Park has an astro turf pitch which can be used for basketball, soccer, volleyball, camogie, hurling, gaelic football and rugby and a brand-new playground, making this a perfect place for family fun.

Westport has an abundance of outdoor playgrounds for kids of all ages, all with easy access on foot or in the car.

Westport offers a superb horse riding experience in the unspoilt countryside of the West of Ireland. The go!trekking! centre has an abundance of rides to choose from/

Ballycroy National Park,  Ireland’s sixth National Park comprises of 11,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and mountains.The modern Visitor Centre has an interactive exhibition on the habitats, local culture and history of Ballycroy National Park and the surrounding area.

Family fun indoors

Westport House offers a number of options for indoor family fun. Tours twice a day or take your own tour including the dungeons; 4 permanent exhibitions including Ireland’s foremost exhibition on Grace O’Malley, Pirate Queen. For the kids there’s the Pirates Den indoor soft play area; Jungleworld and fun in the dungeons.

Ocean Spirit Leisure Centre pool at Hotel Westport

There are four Westport leisure centres: The Beech Club Leisure Centre at the Westport Woods Hotel; C Club Leisure Centre at the Westport Plaza Hotel and the Castlecourt Hotel; Ocean Spirit Leisure Centre pool at Hotel Westport; and Westport Leisure Centre, a municipal facility.

There are two cinemas in the area. Westport Cineplex is in the heart of Westport town off James St beside the Leisure Centre and Children’s Playground. Mayo MovieWorld, in the Mayo Leisure Centre in Castlebar, is a 20 minute drive from Westport if you can’t find your movie listing of choice in Westport.

A visit to the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is a great day out for the whole family, with plenty to see and do for everyone. Home to the national collection of objects representing the traditional way of life in Ireland since 1850, the National Museum of Country Life is set in modern exhibition galleries in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park House and surrounded by magnificent gardens and lake.

Westport has a range of kids clubs to keep the youngsters entertained during your visit: The Buzz Club at the Castlecourt Hotel and Westport Plaza Hotel; Go!Kids! Club at the Westport Woods Hotel; The Mini-Explorers Club at the Atlantic Coast Hotel runs on school holidays, midterm breaks and bank holidays and The Panda Club at Hotel Westport.

Kids enjoying lunch at the Westport House Summer Camp

There is a wide selection of summer camps to choose from in July and August in Westport: The Westport House Summer Camp; The Buzz Club at the Westport Plaza and Castlecourt Hotel; and The Covey Club children’s activity camp at Westport Leisure Park.

Things to do for all the family

• Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park
• Westport Woods Adventure Centre
• Westport Skate Park
• Playgrounds
• The Great Western Greenway
• Westport Greenway
• Horse riding
• Blue Flag and Green Coast Beaches
• Ballycroy National Park
• Cinemas
• Leisure Centres
• National Museum of Ireland – Country Life
• Kids clubs
• Summer camps