Westport House is an historical marvel and veritable national treasure thanks to its legendary beginnings dating back to the 1500’s when Grace O’Malley, Pirate Queen of Connacht, built one of her many castles here.

Westport House Estate

Set amongst lush parklands on the banks of Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of Westport, Westport House Estate is a haven for campers and caravaners, a treasure trove for history buffs and a magnet for thrill seekers young and old. The Pirate Adventure Park is one of Ireland’s best loved family attractions with a range of outdoor slides, rides and activities that will delighted under 12s, while our adventure partners Killary Adventure Co. provide thrilling orienteering, archery and zip wire experiences that will be sure to exhilarate the kids and adults, who are kids at heart!

Five Million Visitors

Westport House has welcomed more than five million visitors since opening its doors to the public in 1960. The stately home enthrals visitors with its carefully preserved period features and captivating stories of fierce 16th century pirates fighting for sea and land, of the lanes and alleyways of old Westport town, and the truly impressive history of Westport House and it’s inhabitants throughout the centuries.

Fairy Tale Setting

Boasting mature grounds dotted with waterfalls, terraces, sculptures and enchanting antiquities, Westport House offers a fairy-tale setting for an exclusive wedding or special event, or film or photo shoot location.

Awards

CIE TOURS: 
Awards of Excellence 2013

BOOTS MATERNITY & INFANT MAGAZINE AWARDS
Best Family Holiday Destination Award 2015

PRIMARY TIMES STAR AWARDS
Best Halloween Event and Best Family Visitor Attraction 2015

TRIPADVISOR
Winner 2015

MAYO BUSINESS AWARDS
Winner 2015

BOOTS MATERNITY & INFANT MAGAZINE AWARDS
Second Place Best Family Day Out / Best Family Holiday Destination/Hotel 2016
Finalist Best Santa Experience

IRISH TOURISM INDUSTRY AWARDS
Best Leisure Tourism Innovation 2017

Membership

WILD ATLANTIC WAY
DESTINATION WESTPORT
THE CAMPING AND CARAVANNING CLUB
ROYAL DUTCH TOURING CLUB
CAMPING KEY EUROPE
CAMPING IRELAND
FAILTE IRELAND QUALITY ASSURED
ASSOCIATION OF VISITOR EXPERIENCES

Economic Impact of Westport House

Westport House Estate Revealed As The Motivation For Over 60% of Tourists To Travel to Mayo According to Westport House Economic Impact Study by CHL Consulting Co. Ltd for Mayo County Council

Westport House in numbers:

  • 162,000 visitors in 2014 (up 82% on 2009)
  • €1.7 million Direct Expenditure to the Exchequer and the local economy in 2014
  • €50.7 million Indirect Investment to Mayo and the wider region
  • 47 full time jobs on site at Westport House Estate
  • 84% visitors are Irish
  • €1.8 million in turnover generated in the financial year ending 30.09.2014
  • Over 60% of respondents to an on-site survey reported that Westport House was their principle motivation for travelling to Mayo

A major new report carried out by CHL Consulting Co. Ltd on behalf of Mayo County Council in September 2015 revealed the total economic impact of Westport House Estate to the economy of the region. The report was launched on September 29th at Westport House Estate. Privately owned by the Browne Family for almost 400 years and open to the public since 1960, the Estate directly creates 47 jobs and accounts for €50.7 million indirect expenditure for the region. Westport House Estate has also shown significant growth in recent years with over 162,000 paying customers in 2014 – up 82% on the 89,000 visitors in 2009.)

Westport House Estate is cited as one of Ireland’s national treasures. Since 1960 the Browne Family have invested significantly in the estate in order to ensure that it continues trading as a leading tourism attraction – mainly by providing a changing and evolving range of tourism activities. This has resulted in the Estate’s rise as one of the Top 20 paying attractions in the country.
Report Findings

In terms of a direct contribution of economic value created, Westport House contributed almost €1.64 million to the Exchequer and the local/regional economy in the twelve months ending 30 September 2014.

In terms of economic value generated by Westport House, some €50.7 million (based on an on-site survey) will be spent in Mayo and the wider region by consumers visiting the House this year (this figure is separate to the expenditure these visitors make at Westport House itself). This estimate is based upon survey respondents’ reported expenditure, and is limited to those respondents who stated that the House was the principal purpose for their visit to Mayo.

Economic activity on-site at Westport House directly employs 47.1 people (Full Time Equivalents). It is estimated, based upon Fáilte Ireland multipliers, that the expenditures associated with those that cite Westport House as the principal reason for their visit to Mayo, support a further 1,724 jobs elsewhere in the regional economy.

Based on Fáilte Ireland estimates of tax receipts accruing to the Exchequer through tourism activity, the €50.7 million referenced above (arising from tourism associated with Westport House) will yield an additional €12.4 million for the Exchequer.

Westport House is predominantly a domestic market family tourism product. Survey results indicate that some 84.4% of visitors to the House were Irish.
In an on-site survey, 60.9% of respondents reported that Westport House was their principal motivation for travelling to Mayo.

The product offering at Westport House aligns well with the wider national tourism policy agenda, and it serves as a prominent and significant adventure hub along the Wild Atlantic Way. As such, Westport House can expect to benefit from the continued domestic and international marketing of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Apart from its performance as an economic asset, Westport House is a cultural and heritage asset of national significance, and consequently the non-monetised value of the House and estate needs to be recognised in assessing the significance of the House to the life and economy of Mayo.

The report was carried out by CHL Consulting Co. Ltd using a full review of financial documents at Westport House Estate. An on – site survey of 400 respondents took place in July 2015. Consultations were also carried out with all local bodies and the community at large.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded below.

Opening Times

Westport House and Gardens are open all year around with some exceptions. Click below to see all opening times.