Westport County Mayo is a town that tourists overlook. It is two hours north of the imaginary boundary between Dublin and Galway. 

Your kids can find out the Legend of Pirate Queen and Westport House as well as climb the Croagh Patrick, bike around the Great Western Greenway, mount on horseback and so on in Westport. 

In this guide, we cover and discuss about the best 8 activities that you can do as a family in Westport.

Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park

Do you enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean? Feeling like a real pirate? To you, it will be the best place is then Westport house. In this case, the Pirate Adventure Park, Halloween festival, and Winter Wonderland occupy the first position.

Westport House was first built in 1650 by Colonel John Browne and his wife, Maud Burke. The interesting fact is, Maud Burke was one of the Pirate Queen’s great-great-granddaughters!

The house stayed in the ownership of the Browne family but recently nearly 30 rooms are available to the guests. To boot, Westport House grounds include a Pirate Adventure Park, Birds of Prey centre, and Adventure Activities- archery and orienteering.

You will be surprised to know the Pirate Adventure Park, voted for Ireland’s Best Family Visitor Attraction!  It is open during mid-term breaks and throughout the summer season. Your kids can’t calm them down riding the Plunge Log Flume Ride and the Pirate Queen Swinging Ship.  

Also, you can chill on cruises around the grounds on the Westport House Express, or take a tour of the lake on the swan-shaped pedalos. 

Learn the details about the Westport adventure from here. Also, make your trip from here. 

Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick can be regarded as the most sacred mountain in Ireland. Pilgrimage to this holy mountain is indeed an old tradition, dating back almost 5000 years ago! Most amazing vacation packages

Yet what is behind the history of Croagh Patrick? In 441 AD, St. Patrick went to the top of this mountain and fasted for forty days. The climb to the peak can be rigorous, and not all people can do it.

When going up this Holy Mountain, it is advisable that you hire walking sticks in the visitor centre and that you allow yourself 3 hours of your time.

Or when you are faced with the view of Croagh Patrick, then the National Famine Monument, Clew Bay Archeological Trail, and Murrisk Abbey cannot be left untapped!

The Great Western Greenway

Do you kids love cycling? If yes, then the Great Western Greenway will be a treat for them! You can explore many greenways that link Westport to other towns, communities, and natural wonderlands around Clew Bay.

Stretching 43 km from Achill Island to Westport, the Great Western Greenway is the perfect route for your bike. Also, the Great Western Greenway follows the region’s historic railway tracks all the way out to Achill Island and Clare Island.  Here, you can choose to ride the entire route or just a small portion of it.

For the kids, the greenway has to offer riders an easy ride across some of Ireland’s most beautiful natural landscapes. The trails are suitable for all levels of experience and fitness, making it the perfect activity for families. 

If you want to rent a bike, Clew Bay Bike Hire is a good option. Besides cycling, they can also arrange a soothing kayak experience.  

The wild Atlantic Ocean

There is the best view of the Atlantic Ocean in Westport. It will be crashing waves of the raging sea, beating on the shore. And the best part is that Westport also boasts two of Mayo’s Blue Flag beaches, at Achill and in the Louisburgh area.

On Bertra Beach, you may have an opportunity to chill or create sandcastles together with your children right on the shore. In case you are visiting during a calm day, consider paddle boarding in Old Head. Or you can even hire a board and surf the waves at Carrownisky Strand or Cross Beach.

The coastal route in the Wild Atlantic Way will definitely restart your mind.

Horse Riding

One of the most interesting activities in Westport is Horse riding. And when children come in, then it becomes a must-do activity for sure! Plus, from horseback, you will discover Westport’s expansive landscapes the most. 

With your horse, you can trot around Clew Bay and enjoy from windswept beaches to narrow country lanes on your own! Besides, guided horse and pony treks are also offered through hotels and stables in the Westport area. Your kids will get the thrill, and you don’t need to worry about their safety. 

From here, you can book your ride! 

Wild West Indoor Play Village

Want to keep your children busy?

Then the Wild West Indoor Play Village can be a delicacy!

In this case, one does not book a slot; you go there on the day and play indoor activities. A few of the stranger available activities on this corner of the country are Splatball and FootGolf. It also has a cool place which is referred to as a sensory room and this is used in brain development.  

In addition to that, you can also stay at a campsite, caravan park and glamping village! Enroll your child at their adventure club to instill confidence in him or her. 

This is where you may find all about this place! 

Graune Pet Farm

Your children will have a chance to have friends such as sheep, pigs, rabbits, puppies, llamas and alpacas. Yes, it is a bit distant from Westport town ( it takes approximately 50 minutes to drive there and back), but it is worth it. 

They too offer school tours that begin as low as euro13.00. Even accommodation facilities are available!

You could just take a few days bags and be in touch with nature with your children. You need not mind about the food, either. There is an inside restaurant where you can view your kids playing around. 

This is all that you ought to know.

Letterkeen Woods 

If you want to go for a challenging task then Letterkeen Woods is a good option for you. This wonderful yet challenging looped trail provides views of pristine landscapes. This trail is wild and remote but the scenery is truly breathtaking. 

This 10.1 km loop trail is considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3h to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best time to visit this trail is August.

The trail is marked by purple arrows as a signpost still downloading the offline map before setting out is better. It is also boggy in parts all year round, so appropriate footwear is needed. 

That’s it. That’s our guide for things to do in Westport as a family. I tried to pick the ones that I think will suit the most. I have had personal experience with most of them and can vouch that you will have a good time, no matter which one you pick.