Management Team
Managed and operated by the two eldest sisters in the current generation of the Browne family, the sisters grew up in Westport House, which was built by their ancestor John Browne in 1731.
It is one of the few surviving Irish Historic Houses which is still owned by the same family who built it. Only a few years ago their father Lord Altamont, the Marquess of Sligo, had to appeal to the high court to abolish the outdated rule of leaving the estate to a male heir, and after a long battle the estate was passed on to his five daughters. Sheelyn and Karen Browne now play an integral role in the management and evolvement of one of Ireland’s oldest historic houses. Alannah, the youngest sister, now runs Gracy’s Bar & Cafe.
Joint Managing Directors
Sheelyn and Karen, like their ancestors before them, have firmly put their own stamp on the estate itself since returning from their respective careers abroad: Sheelyn as an artist in San Francisco and Karen a nurse in the UK. They have developed Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park into one of Ireland’s main tourist attractions with annual visitor numbers now reaching 4 million in total a growth which is attributed to the Browne sister’s vision and determination.
It was the two sisters who rebranded the children’s attractions as the Pirate Adventure Park in honour of their heritage. Karen, who is responsible for the Pirate Adventure Park, also added new attractions to the park including the popular Pirates Plunge in the past 4 years, and launched a new Adventure Activity Centre in 2011 to move with the times which has zorbing, archery, orienteering and laser combat games. With responsibility for the Caravan & Camping Park, she has upgraded the facilities with new toilet and shower blocks, waste water facilities, recycling and WiFi.
Sheelyn made a number of much-needed structural changes including the mammoth task of re-roofing the house which took 6 years to complete with the financial help of the Heritage Council, the only state financial backing ever received to date.
Sheelyn also expanded the offering at the House and Gardens by developing new exhibitions and experiences in the house, such as The Last 50 Years and a new child-friendly “Grace O’Malley Pirate Queen Experience”, and launching the house as an exclusive event venue. Westport House now hosts prestigious launch events, classical concerts, Balls, birthday parties and exhibitions. It also hosts no more than 10 private wedding events each year and in 2011 won an award as Ireland’s Best Exclusive Wedding Venue by WeddingsOnline.ie.
Together the Browne sisters launched an Event Calendar on site, which includes Halloween Fest at the haunted Westport House & Dungeons, a Christmas Winter Wonderland, Easter Egg Hunt, Father’s Day Treasure Hunt, Fireworks and more.
By hard work and dedication, Sheelyn and Karen are determined to ensure that Westport House will survive and continue to contribute to the economic development of the West of Ireland for generations to come.
Designs ]