WESTPORT TOWN, County Mayo. The most beautiful town in Ireland? That's for you to decide!
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- Опубликовано: 24 янв 2024
- Tonight we are visiting beautiful, beautiful Westport in the County Mayo.
The true test of any place, I believe, is whether it still looks good when the weather’s not so kind. Tonight, is one such night, it’s been raining, but you judge for yourself if Westport is beautiful, even in this weather.
A lot of work goes into these videos. You can now buy me a pint as a means of appreciation for my work on Naked Ireland, no obligation, obviously - only if you can afford it... I appreciate it. Cheers.
www.buymeacoffee.com/NakedIre...
Westport is, as the name suggests, on the west coast of Ireland. It’s a very popular tourist destination, like many of the towns in the west, but given we’re 'off season' this is a chance to see it, as many summer holiday makers don’t. I think that’s useful, and it’s always good to see if a town has a life outside of the tourist season.
We see the Carrowbeg river, which flows through the town, in fact the river was a key element in Westport’s town planning. It has a lovely old stone bridge, which is much photographed, and gives Westport some of its quaint old world charm, I think you’ll agree,
We cross the bridge and head up the street directly in front, which, not surprisingly, is called Bridge Street, and is one of the towns most animated areas. Westport is a very we’ll kept town. And it’s on record as such. It’s a three-time winner of the Irish Tidy-Towns competition. I think you can probably see why.
It has a population approaching 7000 people, and why wouldn’t it? Did you know for example that Westport, according to an Irish Times competition, is the best place in Ireland to live?
People flock here from all over the world, particularly in summer, probably for some of the reasons that I’ve already mentioned, but also because of its close proximity to so many amazing blue flag beaches, to beautiful Connemara and of course Clew Bay and Achill Island, which Naked Ireland viewers will be well familiar with by now, because of my series of films.
Another interesting fact is that there are now, since the war in 2022, 1241 Ukrainians living in the town. Westport has certainly done its bit there and can be very proud of its record.
Many of you will have seen the film I made a while back on this place, with its striking red and black shop front, Matt Molloy’s pub. This is a very famous music pub owned by one of the musicians in the Chieftains, one of Ireland’s most famous traditional music groups. If you’d like to see inside, or learn more about it check out my Naked Ireland film on this.
• Matt Molloy's, Westpor...
You’ll have noticed that there’s no shortage of pubs in this street. It’s one of the things Ireland’s famous for after all. But there’s also a lot of restaurants. This is one of the ways in which it’s fair to say Ireland’s changed in that last few decades - food culture is very much a thing now, whereas it wasn’t when I was growing up. I guess it’s another one of those things that came with embracing Europe. But of course, all those hungry tourists need to be fed - and some of them (like the French) have high standards! So hopefully we’ve risen to the challenge.
At the top of the street we have an incredible looking art deco clock. And at the base of the clock, we have one of the old Irish Telephone boxes - now used to house a defibrillator.
Westport is a Heritage Town with many Georgian buildings and its one of the few Irish towns to have been planned, rather that to have just sprung up organically.
We’re up on Shop Street now heading down to an area called the octagon, obviously so named for its shape although it’s not obvious unless you look at it on a map. The octagon is another example of how this town has been planned, Westport is a little Georgian gem. As we get to the octagon we’ll see the elegant Market house, which was one of the principal features of the town when it was first conceived. The Octagon has a statue of St Patrick. Originally this was a statue of a guy called George Clendining who established the bank here back in 1826. But in 1990 the statue was replaced with one of St Patrick - switching the money lender for the saint, I think that’s probably fair enough.
You’ll have noticed that all of the streets we’ve seen have been quite wide. That is again a feature of the 18th Century town planning in Westport. A lot of Irish towns have very thin streets - this is very well proportioned.
We arrive at The Mall, and the river here was one of the key aspects of the Georgian town layout. You’ll notice the river is built up on each side and the roads are lined with trees. We pan round to look at St Mary’s Church all lit up and looking splendid, complete with a beautiful circular stained-glass window.
There’s something very special about a river running through the centre of a town. And the way this is designed is exceptional.
Beautiful little film, cosy and intimate. Nicely narrated. Westport looks almost dreamy, like a film-set.
I’m certain it must have been used in many films? I’m sure someone will let us know.
Father's side came from Mayo, Geraghtys who moved away from Westport in 1919. The Mocha Beans cafe across from the Octagon was formerly Geraghty's Bar, last run by John Joe. Was still titled so but closed when I took the same stroll with my son's ashes in 2014. Thanks for doing so with a camera and narration, am enjoying your series and just subscribed.
Thank you so much Karen. So glad you enjoy the videos. Hope you’ll keep watching.
Westport is a very underrated town. Tour books don't do it justice. It is beautiful in itself but also a gateway to some of the most incredible scenery in Ireland. Music and food are incredible.
I totally agree with that, and many thanks for watching.
I agree
Lovely video of a lovely town. We've been coming to Westport once or twice a year since 2017. The video does justice to how pretty the town is, but the real treasures here are the people. Just a great bunch of folks, as friendly and welcoming as you could hope for. We stay down at the Quay a bit outside of town at a great place called The Helm. Good food, good drink, good company. I could go on but I'll just say go there and experience it for yourself. And the narrator was right -- he should have stopped in Blousers for a pint!
Blousers is still on my hit list Brian! Many thanks for taking the time to comment.
Lovely video. I'm from nearby Castlebar, although my dad is from Westport and still lives in the town, and for years worked in O'Malleys, viewable at 7:15. Would definitely recommend it for a wee break, as you can see, there's no shortage of lovely bars and restaurants there. Blousers is indeed a lovely place for a quiet pint, as is Danny's on the Castlebar Road. In summer time, the Quay area is about a 15 minute walk out from the Octagon, and has some lovely places down there, (am personally fond of the Creel and the Towers) and also, of course, Westport House. Carrowbeg Stores also does the best ice cream in town, out on the road to Castlebar.
Would also recommend nearby Newport, which is like a quieter Westport, less mobbed with tourists; and Castlebar, if you want to take in a GAA match or do some clothes shopping. There are a few nice Guinness pubs there, particularly John McHale's (home of the meejum) and Mick Byrne's.
Many thanks, all these tips from a local (practically) will be invaluable to Naked Ireland followers. Really sorry I didn’t head into Blouser’s now, but I did make a film on Newport, which I’ll release at some point in the future. Thanks for watching and contributing.
I'm new to your channel and find it very interesting. I believe my family was from Mayo. As a retired Chef I really enjoy watching..new subscriber.
So glad you’re enjoying the channel Tom. Now that you’re retired maybe you’ll visit Mayo one of these days? As you’ve seen, it’s a beautiful county. Many thanks for watching.
Another great relaxing and informative video! My wife and I passed through Westport on our way to Achill Island last year. A little shopping and a coffee. Beautiful quite town like most of the west coast!
Not so quiet in the summer sometimes Ryan, but yes, lovely place. Thanks for watching.
@@nakedireland I could see that. We went through in late September last year. No crowds. Perfect for us!
That’s the time to visit!
I been doing some anstry stuff, and my mom's family is from County Mayo. Thank you for the tour!!!
So glad I could be of help Lisa, thanks for watching.
Westport is s terrific town one of the best in all of Ireland in also a beautiful area of nearby Connemara tourmeheady Newport Clare island and very nice and friendly people in Westport it deserves its many tidy towns wins
Couldn’t agree more Sean.
Watching from Sydney Australia! Love the Irish accent... very calming
Ahhh thanks very much, it's the only accent I have, I'm stuck with it, but I'm glad it pleases you.
Thank you for the video. Westport lovely town
Many thanks again for watching
Many thanks for posting the video .Westport to be honest is my favourite town in Ireland visited on 4 occasions and its people are the most generous and welcoming ive ever met also the town itself is amazing always spotless clean and great place to eat and drink and chill out .Again thanks for bringing back wonderful memories 👏👏👍👍
I couldn’t agree more Freddie, many thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Nice video. Hope you went down to Westport Quays as its really lovely there and you get a great view of the Reek. I personally rate Co Mayo as the best county in Ireland and naturally Westport is the best town in Ireland. We go every year and even in the winter, it still has a lot to offer. Looking forward to your next video. Cheers, Tony
Ah thanks Tony, so happy to have your support.
Loved the video. Must visit Ireland someday. I love the accent. Love all the way from Brazil
Wow Brazil, how exotic! I’m a big fan of your Brazilian Bossa. Very cool music. Thanks for watching and commenting, and yes, do come and visit us some day.
Will do! Listen to jorge ben / Trio Mocoto and fall in love with Samba Rock. A movement after Bossa Nova which is truly a gem.
Come vista us too. I could see you narrating The town of Tiradentes or Ouro Preto!
Oh Ana, I would LOVE to visit Brazil. I almost did once, had planned to go to Sao Paulo, but it fell through. I made it to Chile last year, but that’s the closest I got. I’ll check out that music.
Westport was one of our favorite towns at the end of our first ever visit to Ireland. i chose a "scenic even in bad weather" Airbnb in nearby Murrisk and we returned several times to the lovely town of Westport, rain or shine.
Yes it’s a real gem of the West of Ireland. Beautiful at any time of the year. Many thanks for watching, and for your comments.
We admire your discipline not trying to visit every pub. Your willpower must be incredible 😅
It’s a very tough job, but someone has to do it!
That was great Greg! I felt very thirsty and a tad hungry by the end of the walk, so I hope you manage a pint by the end of the walk. I passed through West Port back in 1980. Though it was a huge favorite of my Belfast relatives. I enjoyed the clean wet streets. Great looking building's, and though its cold there , Im sweltering through another heat wave. Spotted one dodgie parked car! No graffiti too, thats a big plus! Cheers, and all the best.
It's a spotless town Des, and so attractive. Take care over there in the sun!
Cheers Greg, we have a Cyclone that's just crossed over the coast north of us. So we might get a flood next week.
I think I’ll stick with Ireland’s nondescript weather!
Yes, I had heard the term Covies. The west is Ireland’s absolute pride and joy as far as I’m concerned. There’s nothing bad about it. The countryside, the beaches, it’s lakes, mountains, towns and it’s people - all amazing. I realise that probably sounds idealistic and romantic coming from a Belfast person. But it’s how I feel as an ‘informed’ visitor to the west. But I know what you mean about taking it for granted. I do it re: Belfast. People who don’t live there are always telling me how great it had become in the last few years.
The West is a great place to grow up, low crime rates, relatively clean and green and close to the sea. Only thing is that there aren't many jobs outside of the major centres.
Yes, I guess the lack of job opportunities is the payback for living in paradise!
@@nakedireland Ssshhh, don't tell anyone, they'll all come here and ruin it ;)
I'm always conscious that I'm letting the cat out of the bag!
We also stay in Belmullet, Co Mayo and thats right off the beaten path but beautiful also. Small town but worth checking out if your ever up that way, and so is Mulranney.
Good tips!
Westport is a lovely town, very touristy, and with plenty of bars and cafes, as well as shops to buy some Irish goodies to take home (although for clothes Westport is a bit pricey compared to some other places). Have been there a number of times and it's a great location as a base to explore the rest of Mayo and into Galway.
I know it might be impossible for videos like this maybe you could include a couple of old black and white pictures of the town to see a comparison of how the town with the basic Georgian buildings has been made into a masterpiece and offer a comparison to the colourful modern town with the buildings all done up and in colour it, as well as some modern developments to make the place tourist friendly and walkable. It is also amazing to see the horse and carts, dirt roads through the town and the buildings less done up. Just a thought, but a great video was it is.
Great ideas Matt, I’m just not sure I’m up to it all as a video editor. But thanks, it’s good food for thought.
@@nakedireland I only mentioned it as a year or two after having visited I came across some old pictures and was astounded. I also mention it as another channel I follow has done since videos where they merge old pictures into new ones. I'm not saying that's possible, it looks like a lot of work and needing to line up pictures, but even just showing a town as it was back in the day night be worth doing at some stage, only when appropriate of course.
It truly is a great idea Matt. I’ll give it some thought.
I have heard of Westport but not been there, yet 😊. I prefer visiting out of season and agree if you like it then and in the rain then you truly like it. The town looks intersting and well worth a visit. Reminded me a bit of Enniscorthy with the twin bridges and river through the town. I had to laugh when you said you can't visit all the pubs, shame on you 😂😂
You should give it a visit some time - we’ll worth it. Yes, passing Blousers wasn’t easy for me!
@@nakedireland I hope to visit one day, who knows I might even make a video of it 😂. I was gutted you didn't go into Blousers 😔, you let the side down 😝 😂 😂
I imagine I’ll get into Blousers at some point. Don’t worry. It’s on my hit list! 🍺
@@nakedireland Good man 🍻
@@nakedireland Creamy pints, lovely cosy interior. Just do it! ;)
When I win the lotto, and I will, I’m moving to Westport but for now, I’ll have to settle for West Belfast. 😊
Nothing wrong with West Belfast John! And when you win the lotto, remember me!
@@nakedireland Haha. West Belfast this last 45 years and I do love it, especially the people but I’d be away to Westport in a heartbeat.
Hey, if I hit the jackpot, I’ll get you a good gargle. 😆
yes, that’d be good. Don’t go sneaking away with all your cash without publicity!
Back in Mayo again? Is it footage from your Achill trip you were saving?
Yes, I shot this in the same trip. But what a nice town Westport is.
@@nakedireland I love your Perspective on the West, different from us local yokels who take it for granted, Westport people are called Coveys and Castlebar people are called fishheads :-) I wont bore u with the why
@@eddiestaunton514 I wonder what those of us who are half Westport and half Castlebar are called? Mongrels, probably ;)
A wet night in Westport accompanied by glum clarinet music. Pass.
Thanks for the glum comment Raymond.
It is a bit hard to view as it is rather dark. Why is Westport a planned town?
It was winter when I filmed and so it got dark early, but I think there's kind of a nice atmosphere Clare? The town's layout dates back to its Georgian period. It's not uncommon for Georgian towns to have this kind of planning - think of the New Town in Edinburgh for example. So the layout is a colonial thing, nothing to do with Irish vernacular architecture.
Anyone know the full translastion of Cathair na Mairt? Town of the Market of the beeves or something some covey told me once, asked a Covey once what he thought of Castlbar and he said Staball at one end fuckall at the other :-) this is why us fishheads dont like Coveys
I'll leave you fishheads and Coveys to feud it out!
It’s Springfield and Shelbyville, essentially.
Westport has always been the prettier town, while Castlebar had more economic development, mostly factories. Alas a lot of places closed down in the last recession and it hurt Castlebar badly.
I would still say there’s some element of co-dependence between the two towns, with a lot of Fishheads socializing in Westport, while a lot of coveys would come into Castlebar to do the big shop or to go to the Bowling Alley or McHale Park for Mayo games.
PS: Eddie makes reference to “Staball”, which is a hill in the town. During the Races of Castlebar, the locals followed the French troops into battle, banging their pots and pans and shouting “Stab them all” in reference to the British garrison, hence the name.
wow, interesting!
@nakedireland I obviously commented on the wrong video, Apologies for that Mrs. But you are obviously right about EVERYTHING old dear. 😂
What video were you meaning to comment on?
@@nakedireland some other one, that wasn't yours. About an Irishman sleeping in a doorway on Paddy's day. So I do apoligise, genuinely
Ah no problem, glad my video wasn’t the one that annoyed you. Take care.
@@nakedireland take care.🫡
Of USA. Australia, New Zealand and Belgium my daughter and her family have made Ireland their new home and have settled in Westport. Every day is a new experience and it just gets better every day for them. The people of Westport are so friendly and supportive. Our 9 year old granddaughter has even taken to learning the Irish language. Looking forward to hopefully visiting them soon
Sounds lovely, and since Irish would be obligatory in school it doesn’t surprise my that your granddaughter is learning the language. But it’s kinda cool for young people to speak Irish too, so hopefully she’ll stick with it. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Keep taking in half the population of the Far East, West Port will be no more.😢
Westport’s not going anywhere.