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19th October 2017
08:30pm BST
The ‘we’ of this trip included my husband, a four-and-a-half year old girl, and a two-year-old boy. We arrived late on a Saturday afternoon (we had planned to hit the road at 7am… in reality it was nearer 11am).
It’s a little over a three-hour drive from our home in Dublin, with the M4 being as direct, smooth, and child-friendly as roads come.
We opted for the Wyatt Hotel – largely for its location bang-smack in the middle of the town.
We were given a spacious family room on the ground floor close to the car-park (which was perfect for unloading the mountains of stuff that comes with travelling with two small kids). There was a Nespresso machine (special appreciation for that) and the bathroom was pretty massive too – which is a big plus when you’ve children with you.
When we visited, the hotel’s cliental was North Americans mixed with locals popping in for a pint or a bite to eat, as well as a splattering of home-grown tourists from other parts of the country (just like ourselves).
There are usually good deals at the hotel for families; right now, for example, it’s offering mid-term breaks for €99 a night for two adults and two children (great value in my opinion).
This year, Westport – which has a population of 6,000 - was awarded Best Large Town in the coveted Tidy Towns competition (a contest it’s also won on three occasions). Back in 2012, it was furthermore voted as the best place to live in Ireland.
So there is a certain calibre to this part of Mayo. And certainly wandering around its streets during the day feels delightfully gentile.
Of course (and not least if you’re travelling with children), if you find yourself in Westport, Westport House is a must visit.
The entrance gates are a minutes-long short stroll from the Wyatt and my two smallies delighted on being greeted with fields of sheep as we made our way up the drive.
Weather-wise, the day was as miserable-West-of-Ireland as they come, but we were all suitably wrapped up for the outing and no one seemed any worse off for it.
As well as the sprawling grounds (perfect for woodland walks) and a picturesque lake, Westport House boasts a real treat for kids: the Pirate Adventure Park.
With a nod to the famed Grace O’Malley – whose family has strong historical connections to the property – the attraction has the likes of a bouncy castle, a plunge flume ride, a pirate queen swinging ship, and newly-installed helter skelter.
My eldest had a ball, while even the toddler entertained himself in the large sand pit which comes complete with buckets and spades.
Afterwards we opted to skip the swan pedal boats on the lake (it was just too wet) and instead jumped on the Westport House Express – a miniature train that loops around the estate.
We concluded with a trip indoors to the house itself – which is utterly fascinating as well as being really stunning – before walking down the lawn-lined drive once again back to the Wyatt to dry off and warm up.
On our first evening we opted to eat at JW Brasserie’s, which is located at the hotel; with two small kids in tow it’s definitely nice not to have to venture too far away if you don’t want to. There they serve a children’s menu (REALLY generous portions) as well as a lovely wine list in case mum and dad fancy a glass of something at the end of the day (we did).
On the following evening we took a pleasant 20-minute stroll down to the quays to The Towers – a bar and restaurant recommended to me by a Westport-native colleague. There is even a playground outside plus benches for parents to watch and sip coffee as the kids run riot on the swings and slides.
Be warned – the return journey back into the centre of town is a steep enough uphill climb and might prove a little too much for younger legs.
If you're looking to extend your stay, there are plenty of options around town - include the likes of guided bicycle rides, horse-riding, golf, and water sports, as well as trips to Croagh Patrick and Achill island.
Our family’s journey was certainly short and sweet – less than 48 hours in total - but getting a taster of all that Westport has to offer (and I’ve no doubt that it hold many more attractions than I caught a glimpse of) is enough to entice me to book a return visit in 2018.
