One of Ireland’s most great historic houses

Westport House was designed by Richard Cassels and James Wyatt, 2 of the greatest architects to have worked in 18th-century Ireland. The house sits in a stunning parkland with lakes, terraces, and Croagh Patrick as a backdrop. It was built for and is still privately owned by the Browne family, who are direct descendants of the 16th-century Pirate Queen Gráinne O’Malley. Grainne was the chief of the O’Malley clan who controlled most of the West Coast of Ireland for hundreds of years. The Brownes are still very much admired in this locality and have greatly improved Westport town. In 1960, the 10th Marquess opened Westport House and the grounds to the visiting public as a pioneering venture and it became a commercial success with a pirate adventure park and a mini railway.

Thanks to Mark Broderick for excellent video of Westport House and Gardens