Helena’s guidebook
City/town information
Newport is a small picturesque town located on the north-east corner of Clew Bay. A beautiful feature of the town is its seven-arch viaduct, built in 1892 to carry the Westport to Achill railway line. The arch has now been restored, and looks especially impressive at night, when floodlit. Newport is also the site of a number of very beautiful buildings. One of these is St Patrick's Catholic Church, built in 1914 in the Irish Romanesque Style. The doorway at the entrance is modelled on the one in Clonfert Cathedral in Galway, and the stained-glass window at the East is by famous artist Harry Clarke.
Newport nestles on the shore of beautiful Clew Bay, famous for its 365 islands. That’s one for every day of the year, or enough adventure to last a lifetime. The Black Oak River flows through the centre of Newport town and merges with the sea to form a very fine protected harbour, who’s quays are lined with colourful fishing trawlers of great age.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Newport
Newport is a small picturesque town located on the north-east corner of Clew Bay. A beautiful feature of the town is its seven-arch viaduct, built in 1892 to carry the Westport to Achill railway line. The arch has now been restored, and looks especially impressive at night, when floodlit. Newport is also the site of a number of very beautiful buildings. One of these is St Patrick's Catholic Church, built in 1914 in the Irish Romanesque Style. The doorway at the entrance is modelled on the one in Clonfert Cathedral in Galway, and the stained-glass window at the East is by famous artist Harry Clarke.
Newport nestles on the shore of beautiful Clew Bay, famous for its 365 islands. That’s one for every day of the year, or enough adventure to last a lifetime. The Black Oak River flows through the centre of Newport town and merges with the sea to form a very fine protected harbour, who’s quays are lined with colourful fishing trawlers of great age.
Sightseeing
Rockfleet Castle (Carraig-an-Cabhlaigh), also known as Carrickahowley Castle is a tower house on the Wild Atlantic Way, near Newport in County Mayo, Ireland. Situated at the mouth of a small inlet on the northern shores of Clew Bay, 5 miles from Newport and 3 miles from the pink cottage on the north west coast of Ireland. Built over 4 floors, over 60 feet or eighteen metres in height, the site consists of a tower house with a rectangular corner parapet set in open ground. The top floor is reached by a spiral staircase made of stone and is the only room with a fireplace. The castle was built in a medieval style and is one of five along the shores of Clew Bay.
The castle is renowned for its links with Grace O`Malley (or Granuaile), a pirate sea Queen who inhabited the castle in the latter part of the 16th Century. Home to Grace O'Malley the Pirate Queen and her husband Richard Burke Richard of Iron from 1566. Grace was the leader of the O'Malley clan and controlled much of the west coast in the late 1500's. She had a fleet of 20 ships moored at Rockfleet which she used to raid cargo ships along the channel and was also responsible for capturing some of the dispersed ships from the Spanish Armada. Grace was reputed to have command of three galleys and some 200 fighting men with which she was able to give the merchant ships to and from Galway a hard time. In fact she became so successful in this that, in March of 1574, the English sent an expedition of ships and troops to put an end to her maritime exploits. They laid siege to the castle for many days but Grace turned the tables on them and the hunters became the hunted.
She remained at Rockfleet Castle after the death of her husband in 1583 but it was not long afterwards that the English successfully captured some of the O'Malley fleet along with Grace's brother. Grace appealed directly to Queen Elizabeth for his release and negotiated that she would forfeit her ships in return for her brother. The Queen granted Grace what she had asked for and allowed her to keep her vessels on the condition that she fought with, rather than against the English, which she did until her death in 1603 when she was buried on Clare Island nearby. Following the Civil War Sir Owen O'Malley a diplomat and descendent of Grace restored the castle and lived nearby in a Georgian house. The latest owner is the former American ambassador to Ireland.
Rockfleet Castle is open to the public during the summer; the key is available at the nearby farm. The castle was installed with a metal walkway in 2015, from its adjacent grassland surrounding to its door, due to the sheer inconvenience of accessing its entrance during high tides. It also possible to take a trip into the bay by fishing boat from the nearby pier. From the sea you can see how well the castle was placed to keep watch over the bay.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rockfleet Castle
Rockfleet Castle (Carraig-an-Cabhlaigh), also known as Carrickahowley Castle is a tower house on the Wild Atlantic Way, near Newport in County Mayo, Ireland. Situated at the mouth of a small inlet on the northern shores of Clew Bay, 5 miles from Newport and 3 miles from the pink cottage on the north west coast of Ireland. Built over 4 floors, over 60 feet or eighteen metres in height, the site consists of a tower house with a rectangular corner parapet set in open ground. The top floor is reached by a spiral staircase made of stone and is the only room with a fireplace. The castle was built in a medieval style and is one of five along the shores of Clew Bay.
The castle is renowned for its links with Grace O`Malley (or Granuaile), a pirate sea Queen who inhabited the castle in the latter part of the 16th Century. Home to Grace O'Malley the Pirate Queen and her husband Richard Burke Richard of Iron from 1566. Grace was the leader of the O'Malley clan and controlled much of the west coast in the late 1500's. She had a fleet of 20 ships moored at Rockfleet which she used to raid cargo ships along the channel and was also responsible for capturing some of the dispersed ships from the Spanish Armada. Grace was reputed to have command of three galleys and some 200 fighting men with which she was able to give the merchant ships to and from Galway a hard time. In fact she became so successful in this that, in March of 1574, the English sent an expedition of ships and troops to put an end to her maritime exploits. They laid siege to the castle for many days but Grace turned the tables on them and the hunters became the hunted.
She remained at Rockfleet Castle after the death of her husband in 1583 but it was not long afterwards that the English successfully captured some of the O'Malley fleet along with Grace's brother. Grace appealed directly to Queen Elizabeth for his release and negotiated that she would forfeit her ships in return for her brother. The Queen granted Grace what she had asked for and allowed her to keep her vessels on the condition that she fought with, rather than against the English, which she did until her death in 1603 when she was buried on Clare Island nearby. Following the Civil War Sir Owen O'Malley a diplomat and descendent of Grace restored the castle and lived nearby in a Georgian house. The latest owner is the former American ambassador to Ireland.
Rockfleet Castle is open to the public during the summer; the key is available at the nearby farm. The castle was installed with a metal walkway in 2015, from its adjacent grassland surrounding to its door, due to the sheer inconvenience of accessing its entrance during high tides. It also possible to take a trip into the bay by fishing boat from the nearby pier. From the sea you can see how well the castle was placed to keep watch over the bay.
Burrishoole Abbey was founded in 1469 by Richard (Burke) de Burgo and was originally a wooden structure. The Abbey was situated alongside the old town on the port of Burrishoole. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the harbour was a very busy one, with trade exceeding that of Galway. Clew Bay was even listed on Italian maps of the time. Despite its remoteness, friars from the Abbey travelled to the continent where they are recorded as having worked and studied in Spain, Belgium and France.
An image labelled Activities
The Abbey was abandoned in 1698 with the Penal Laws. The Abbey roof eventually collapsed in 1793. When originally built, it consisted of the main church and a convent chapel to the south side. A number of years later, a bell tower was built as an additional feature. Today, all that remains intact is the church and all that remains of the convent are the ruins of the beautiful cloister. The oldest inscribed monument within the abbey is the O'Kelly altar tomb. The inscription on the tomb is in Latin and gives the date 1623.
The Abbey was inhabited and used by the Dominican Order which did not actually have abbots - so, the more correct term for Burrishoole Abbey is Burrishoole Friary.
Mass continues to be celebrated annually at the abbey on the feast of St. Dominic for the dead of the parish.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Burrishoole Abbey
Burrishoole Abbey was founded in 1469 by Richard (Burke) de Burgo and was originally a wooden structure. The Abbey was situated alongside the old town on the port of Burrishoole. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the harbour was a very busy one, with trade exceeding that of Galway. Clew Bay was even listed on Italian maps of the time. Despite its remoteness, friars from the Abbey travelled to the continent where they are recorded as having worked and studied in Spain, Belgium and France.
An image labelled Activities
The Abbey was abandoned in 1698 with the Penal Laws. The Abbey roof eventually collapsed in 1793. When originally built, it consisted of the main church and a convent chapel to the south side. A number of years later, a bell tower was built as an additional feature. Today, all that remains intact is the church and all that remains of the convent are the ruins of the beautiful cloister. The oldest inscribed monument within the abbey is the O'Kelly altar tomb. The inscription on the tomb is in Latin and gives the date 1623.
The Abbey was inhabited and used by the Dominican Order which did not actually have abbots - so, the more correct term for Burrishoole Abbey is Burrishoole Friary.
Mass continues to be celebrated annually at the abbey on the feast of St. Dominic for the dead of the parish.
One of Ireland’s National Parks, this park is a sprawling natural area with walking trails, picturesque views, a cafe & a visitor centre.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ballycroy National Park
One of Ireland’s National Parks, this park is a sprawling natural area with walking trails, picturesque views, a cafe & a visitor centre.
Leisure
Mulranny Golf Links is a wonderful nine-hole course set on the shores of Clew Bay in Mulranny Co Mayo. On a fine day it boasts fantastic views of Croagh Patrick and Clare Island as you look across Clew Bay. Each of the nine holes have unique features which pose different challenges to all categories of golfer. Including the local farmer's sheep!
Mulranny Golf Course
Mulranny Golf Links is a wonderful nine-hole course set on the shores of Clew Bay in Mulranny Co Mayo. On a fine day it boasts fantastic views of Croagh Patrick and Clare Island as you look across Clew Bay. Each of the nine holes have unique features which pose different challenges to all categories of golfer. Including the local farmer's sheep!
Fantastic park open to the public, with accessible trails. Also home to the Pirate Adventure Park, great for children of all ages.
111 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa Westport
Quay RoadFantastic park open to the public, with accessible trails. Also home to the Pirate Adventure Park, great for children of all ages.
Food scene
Award winning cafe in Newport located on Main St.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kelly's Kitchen
Main StreetAward winning cafe in Newport located on Main St.
Nevin's Newfield Inn
The Grainne Uaile
Medlicott Street
Greenway Lane art studio-cafe
Fantastic location and super salads!
Best coffee, best scones, best brownies, not to mention their sourdough bread and if you happen to be in westport on a Thursday or a Friday, then you have to call in for some of their cinnamon rolls, yummy 😋 . Then Saturday is pizza base dayJust to note they open Tuesday to Saturday and close at 1pm so get there early not to be disappointed.!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cornrue Bakery
New RoadBest coffee, best scones, best brownies, not to mention their sourdough bread and if you happen to be in westport on a Thursday or a Friday, then you have to call in for some of their cinnamon rolls, yummy 😋 . Then Saturday is pizza base dayJust to note they open Tuesday to Saturday and close at 1pm so get there early not to be disappointed.!
Consejos para la ciudad
No te pierdas
The local Burrishoole Loop Walks are a hidden gem
Start outside your doorstep