An advert placed in Faulkner’s Dublin Journal on March 17 1767 sought people and tradesmen to help build a new town of Westport situated around an Octagon enclosed with large, well-finished slated houses, together with avenues for streets of houses.

So with 250 years of history to celebrate, the townsfolk have planned a range of events to compliment their vast existing events programme. The goal of Westport 250 is to engage with the local community, the covey diaspora, and visitors to celebrate this landmark anniversary. Listed below is a comprehensive, month-by-month run-down of the events, festivals, and celebrations associated with the Westport 250 programme.

March:
Westport 250 Launch
Street Entertainment
250 Themed Parade
Westport Lions Club Clew Bay People of the Year Awards- March 24
Connacht Series Duathlon- March 25th
National Tidy Towns Conference (With RTE’s Dermot Bannon)- March 25th

April:
Coileán: Children’s Arts Festival- April 6-9th
4 day with Drama Music and Arts events
Workshops/ Theatre Performances/ Street Acts
Mayo Day: Celebrating the Mayoness of Westport– April 30th

May:
Acoustic Yard (Song writers) Festival– 5th to 7th
Westportif – Saturday 13th
Pedal Paddle Pilgrimage – Saturday 20th
The Westport Air Show
Spraoi at The Quay- Friday 19th to Sunday 21st
A festival weekend at Westport Harbour
International Mini Meet/ Rally – Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th
1,500/2,000 Mini Cars

June:
Grainne Ale/ Pirate Queen Festival- 2nd-4th June
50th Annual Westport Horse Show- 3rd and 4th June
Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival-9th-11th June
Westport Triathlon- 17th June
Sea Angling Festival- 23rd-25th June
Westport Food Festival- 23rd-25th June
Gael Force- 24th June
Clew Bay Garden Trail

July:
Covey Week 250 Special
Laurence Collection Exhibition
Westport Cycling Crit- 8th July
Last One Running- 23rd July
Traditional Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage Weekend- 28th-30th July

August:
Harvest Country Music Festival- August 26th-27th
Holiday Time Special
Free Family Street Events
A Variety of Street Performers

September:
Festival of Chamber Music- 8th-10th September
Westport of the Worlds- 14th-17th September
Visitors from Westports all over the world
Westport Arts Festival
250 Special

October:
Traditional Horse Fair
Westport Duathlon
Skate Festival
Halloween Fest- 27th-30th October
The Leeson Legacy – Irish Georgian Society Conference
History of Westport – Book launch
Launch of THE GREAT LEVIATHAN: The Life Of Howe Peter Brown 2nd Marquess of Sligo

November:
Rolling Sun Book Festival- 3rd-5th November
Sea to Summit- 11th November

December:
Westport Wonderland
Spectacular Christmas Themed Festival
Ice Rink – Fun Fair – Market Stalls

James KG Hoare

Angel Cara Knight Rainbow Grace

Halford J. McKirdy

Rainbow Grace is a magical, musical adventure for the whole family now showing this summer at Westport Town Hall Theatre.  It is rated Five-F of course, for Fantastic-Family-Friendly-Fun-For Everyone!

Shows are all summer long, every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm until August 31st. Rainbow Grace is an original tale performed by award winning brother and sister duo, James KG Hoare and Angel Cara Knight. The music and lyrics are composed by the talented and accomplished singer and songwriter, James KG Hoare.

Synopsis:

Have you ever wondered what lies at the Rainbow’s End? Grace certainly has! And now she wants to take you on an adventure, through Rainbow Space, to find out! On the journey you’ll meet some extraordinary characters; inhabitants of strange and exotic realms! There’ll be charming and wondrous music, sublime song and joyous dance. Firstly though, I must ask you three questions; Are you a kind person? Are you true of heart? Are you Brave? You see, if we are to uncover the gifts at the end of the Rainbow, we must answer YES to all these things… For the Rainbow is my friend and it’s my job to keep her precious treasures a secret!

Yours most Sincerely,

Shaun…

Shaun, The Leprechaun

So come along and dare to be dazzled and amazed! Suitable for ALL AGES 1-92! (Over 93s must be accompanied by a child.)

Here’s what audience members are saying:

Sharon Ryder reviewed Rainbow Grace — 5 star

7 hrs ·

Amazing show the kids absolutely adored it. What a talented team to write, produce and perform from scratch. The music alone is a reason to go.

Aoife M Creaby reviewed Rainbow Grace — 5 star

July 10 at 10:44am ·

Hugely entertaining for children and adults. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. A show not to be missed !

Lorraine Bullard reviewed Rainbow Grace — 5 star

July 2 at 10:12am ·

Rainbow Grace is a beautiful show which has both children and adults captivated alike. With catchy music and songs which you will be singing for days after. My 2 and a half year old son was enthralled by the beautiful singing & charismatic characters. Two amazing actors, filled with boundless energy & enthusiasm. A must see for all families over the Summer months. A wonderful production which will leave you full of love & happiness.

Melanie Smyth reviewed Rainbow Grace — 5 star

June 27 at 12:19pm ·

This is an enchanting production!! I would have to echo the sentiments from the previous reviews! I took my 2, 4 and 6 year old to see Rainbow Grace..they were completely engaged, start to finish! We will definitely be back  Congratulations to all involved, superb for the whole family, we loved it.

Catherine Hastings reviewed Rainbow Grace — 5 star

June 26 at 11:35am ·

I attended this yesterday with my four year old grandson. He is still talking about it today. Good wholesome family show. Great to see a show that has a little boy jumping, clapping, dancing, singing and shouting along. Well done to the team involved.

Sarah Billington reviewed Rainbow Grace — 5 star

June 25 at 6:24pm ·

A superb show. A must see for young families. The music is beautiful and the acting first class. It’s funny, engaging,warm and full of lovely messages. Well done Angel and James-we’ll definitely be back again over the summer. X

Sophie Ellis-Bextor To Perform At Westport Festival of Music & Food

+

The Overtones Return for Westport Festival of Music & Food

+

US Comedian Rich Hall Joins Comedy Line-up

Westport Festival of Music & Food is delighted to include Sophie Ellis-Bextor and five piece vocal harmony group, The Overtones amongst the line up for the two day entertainment extravaganza. US Comedian Rich Hall will also join the boutique music festival which takes place in the picturesque grounds of Westport House & Adventure Park on Saturday & Sunday, 28&29 June.

Singer, songwriter, model and star of Strictly Come Dancing Sophie Ellis-Bextor has announced she will be performing at the Westport Festival of Music of Food which takes place in Westport House on 28 & 29 June. Sophie who achieved widespread success in the early 2000s has released five solo albums: Read My Lips, Shoot from the Hip, Trip the Light Fantastic, Make a Scene and has had career high-points with songs like Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), Murder On The Dancefloor, Take Me Home and Catch You.  Sophie’s most recent album, Wanderlust which was released on 20 January 2014 reached no 4 in its first week in the UK charts

The Overtones

The Overtones formed in London in 2010, consisting of singers from Cork, England and Australia. They were discovered by a Warner Brothers talent scout while working as decorators in a shop near Oxford Street, singing during their tea break.Their debut album Good Ol’ Fashioned Love entered the UK Albums Chart at #16 in November 2010. However, after the re-release of the album in March 2011, it propelled to #4. They sold in excess of 500,000 copies of their first album and have just completed sell out shows in Dublin, Cork and Belfast

Rich Hall is part Cherokee, part cranky Southerner and part country singer. He is probably best known for his appearances on Channel 4’s “Stand Up For The Week” and as an outstanding guest on Q.I., Have I Got News For You, and Never mind The Buzzcocks.  In 2000, he won the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe, in the guise of his own grizzled uncle, Otis Lee Crenshaw, the much-convicted country music singer. A grouchy deadpan comedy genius who looks like a Pearl Jam roadie, Rich is a master of absurdist irony. He’s widely believed to be the inspiration for Simpson’s character Moe Syzlak.

Comedian, Rich Hall

These new additions to the star studded line up take to the stage at the boutique festival in the centre of Westport town on Sunday, 29 June, alongside Bryan Adams, Kool & The Gang, Sinead O’Connor, The Divine Comedy and David Gray.

The Westport Festival of Music & Food promises a fantastic fun filled music and food extravaganza with over 70 artists and comedians performing across five stages, an amazing food village and quality onsite camping in a truly relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.   

CHEFS KITCHEN

Gastronomic gurus including Rachel Allen, Clodagh McKenna, Darina Allen as well as Ross Lewis (Chapter One), Derry Clarke (L’Ecrivain), Noel McMeel (Lough Erne Resort), Neven Maguire (MacNean House), Seamus Commons (Knockranny House, Westport) and Frankie Mallon (An Port Mor, Westport) will prepare delicious mouth-watering dishes using locally produced, seasonal ingredients from Mayo and the surrounding areas in The Chef’s Kitchen, which will be located in the Food & Wine Magazine Village.

MUSIC

Music acts confirmed so far for the Westport Festival include David Gray, Bryan Adams, Sinead O’Connor, Kool & The Gang, The Divine Comedy, Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Jim Jones Revue, The Overtones, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Kila, The Selecter starring Pauline Black & Gaps Hendrickson,  Bjorn Again, Tony Joe White, The Bootleg Beatles, The Hot Sprockets, The Kilfenora Ceile Band and Alien Envoy (Nick Kelly of The Fat Lady Sings new project),  Additional acts will be announced over the next few months.

THE ROISIN DUBH STAGE

The hugely popular ‘Róisín Dubh’ Stage is back again this year with a supreme selection of incredibly talented up and coming Irish acts including The Cast of Cheers, Lisa O’Neill, Daithi, We Cut Corners, Enemies, Windings, Tvvins, Elaine Mai, Dott, Boyfights, The Depravations, Rudy Trixx, It Was All A Bit Black & White, My Fellow Sponges, Zero Era and Tracy Bruen.

COMEDY

Comedians Ardal O’Hanlon, Terry Alderton, Foil Arms & Hog, Karl Spain, Comedy Club 4 Kids with Howard Read (& Little Howard CBBC) and Tiernan Douieb will be keeping everyone entertained in the Comedy Tent.

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

The Westport Festival welcomes all ages and of course kids under 12 are allowed in for free accompanied by an adult. Westport House has an amazing award winning Pirate Adventure Park which includes a host of FREE activities for kids and parents too…

·         The Pirate Queen Swinging Ship- Not for the faint hearted, the Pirate Queen will test your head for heights – and your stomach!

·         Pirate Plunge Log Flume Ride – A Pirate Adventure ark favourite, the Pirates Plunge is a splash-tastic log flume water ride that guarantees to entertain (not to mention splashing the passengers).

·         Swan Pedaloe Boats – Families can pedal around the Westport House Lake on eight foot high Swan Pedaloe boats and enjoy views of the House, the Park, Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay. The swans are pedal propelled so it’s a fun way to get a little work out during your weekend at the Westport Festival.

·         Westport House Express Train Ride – You can take a short ride through the grounds and watch out for surprises around every corner. Check out the stunning views of the lake, the House, Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay.  

·         Pirates Playground – Set adjacent to Gracy’s Bar & Cafe, The Pirates Playground offers a slide, climbing frames and rockers to entertain.

·         Gracy’s Bouncy Castle – Set in the Pirates Haven, Gracy’s Bouncy Castle provides ideal fun for the younger members of the family. Children will have a ball!

Take a guide Tour of the Pirate Adventure Park here Westport House Pirate Adventure Video

ACCOMMODATION
Westport Festival of Music & Food is situated in the very heart of Westport town which was voted Irish Times best place to live in Ireland.    There is a wonderful selection of hotels within 200 yards of the entrance to our festival and amazing guest houses to stay close by.   There is also a first class campsite located in Westport House. Check out www.destinationwestport.com  for more info on hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation.   Local accommodation is also available via www.Airbnb.com

CAMPING, CARAVANS & CAMPERVANS

Westport House has an established campsite with excellent facilities.  With hot water in the showers and real toilets, it’ll provide the best festival camping experience you’ll have all year! Set up camp in this gorgeous natural environment surrounded by ancient trees with Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay in the background.  It’s a camper’s dream!  And you’ll only be a short walk away from all the Festival action and just a 10-minute walk from Westport town. Onsite Facilities include: FREE hot showers, electrics (limited numbers so allocated on a first come-first served basis!), WiFi, recycling, picnic & washing up areas.  Onsite bar & café with food open until 11pm. Weekend Festival & Camping Tickets are on sale from the www.westporthouse.ie/shop 

TICKETS

Westport Festival of Music & Food tickets are on sale from Ticketmaster

ADULT TICKETS – NON CAMPING

·         Day Tickets   (Saturday or Sunday)   €76  (including booking fee)

·         Weekend Tickets   €131  (including booking fee)

Children 12 years or younger go free – up to two per paying adult

TEEN – 13 TO 17 YRS OLD – NON CAMPING

·         Day Tickets  (Saturday or Sunday ) €41 (including booking fee)

·         Weekend Tickets  €61 (including booking fee)

Teen tickets apply to children 13-16 years – they must be accompanied by a paying adult; ID will be requested at entry point to verify age.  

BOX OFFICE DETAILS

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ie and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide

Tel:  24 Hours / 7 days : 0818 719 300   International +353 1 4569569  UK incl. NI 0844 8472455

Phone & Internet bookings are subject to €1.65 service charge per ticket up to €13.10, 12.5% over (Max €6.10), Outlets €2.15 per ticket

CAMPING TICKETS

·         Weekend Festival & Camping Ticket (tents only):  €160 per person

·         Weekend Festival & Campervan Ticket:  €170 per person (a separate ticket must be purchased for each van at €40 per van)

·         Teen Festival & Camping Ticket (tents only):  €80 per person

·         Weekend Teen Festival & Campervan Ticket:  €85 per person 

·         Weekend car parking (for campers/tents):  €20 per car

For further information about camping at Westport House, please email 

camping@westporthouse.ie or call the Westport House Camp Site on 098 27766.   

For further information about Westport Festival of Music & Food, please check out 

YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoIV12NtTl4

Website :  www.westportfestival.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/WestportFestivalOfMusicAndPerformingArts

Twitter : @westportfest

As anticipation builds for Halloween, rumours flourish of ghoulish goings on at the historic Westport House in Co. Mayo.  Their annual Halloween Fest, which runs for the duration of the mid-term break (October 26 to November 3) from 11am to 5pm daily, is the perfect place to go for fiendish family fun.  It’s so devilishly good that it was awarded as the Best Halloween Event in the West!

The 18th century historic house will be transformed into a (not too) scary haunted house for the week (suitable for little ones), and the attractions and activities on offer are guaranteed to cast a spell over your little witches and warlocks!  The cauldron of festive fun includes the White Witch’s story time, and ghastly face painting with Lord of the Darkness, he has something for even the little ones.

For that added bubble, boil and trouble make sure you try out the frighteningly good family workshops throughout the day: Carve your very own Jack O’Lantern to ward off evil spirits when you get home (additional charge of €2.50 for your pumpkin); or Zombie shuffle your way to the formal Large Dining room of Westport House and learn all the moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. 

If all this Halloween fun has worked up an appetite, then trick or treat your way to Westport House’s ‘Spooky Spoons workshop’ where you’ll learn some gruesome new recipes and decorate your own cupcake with snakes and spiders webs and maybe even eye of newt.

You and your little monsters will have a hauntingly good time as you experience the thrills ‘n’ chills of our Pirate Adventure Park. Travel into another world on the mysterious Westport House Express train ride and have even more fun than you can shake a broomstick at while on board the swinging ship and pedal Go Karts before a final wicked trip on the log flume water ride.  The park is open from 1pm to 5pm daily.

Make sure you get in the spirit of things by dressing up in Halloween costumes!
To find out where to stay over this ghoulish holiday check out www.destinationwestport.com/placestostay

Fireworks Extravaganza & Fancy Dress

If you’re in Westport House for the October bank holiday weekend, you will definitely get a treat (no tricks promise) with an explosive Fireworks Extravaganza and haunting Halloween dance on the front lawn of Westport House.  Make sure you dress to impress and look scarily good as you could be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the costume competition – adults too!  The Fireworks Extravaganza is only €5 per person or €4 for annual pass holders.

Free Entry to the ‘Best Family Attraction in the West’

Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park is opening their gates free of charge for all on the 20^th October in aid of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice.  This is a great opportunity to make a donation to such a worthy cause while also spending quality time at one of Ireland’s most beautiful historic homes and activity parks. 

Free day in Westport House -20th October 2013

With over 30 architecturally stunningrooms inside the historic house open to the public along with 480 acres ofmajestic parkland with lake, terraces, wonderful gardens and magnificent views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, it really is worth a visit!  The Pirate Adventure Park will also be open to the public with its  splash-tastic Pirates Plunge, Pirate Queen Swinging Ship, 30 ft Cannon Ball run slide, swan pedaloe boats, Westport House Express train, go karts, Pirates Den indoor soft play area, pitch & putt, bouncy castles, playgrounds and much more! 

Westport House’s newest adventure activity, The Sky Challenge, will also be available free of charge to all the brave souls who dare to try it on the day, courtesy of Westport House’s adventure partners, The Adventure Islands.  Finally, West Equine Group will provide pony rides and demonstrations of cross country jumping complimentary to all who come along on the day.

Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation cares for and supports the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families living with life threatening illnesses.  The service enables patients to live out the remainder of their lives in comfort and dignity with palliative care provided free of charge to all.  

Westport House’s Hospice Day promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family, and is in aid of a fantastic cause, so come on me hearty, get on board.

For more information see www.westporthouse.ie or www.hospice.ie

Top 10 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Ireland

Hotel Westport – Panda Club

FOR A THIRD YEAR IN A ROW!!!

Whilst the senior footballers of Mayo secured their 3 in a row of Connacht titles earlier this Summer, and anticipate further cause for celebration this month, the 4 star Hotel Westport is also celebrating with a trio of Primary Times Awards, for the top 10 family friendly Hotels in Ireland, secured in 2011, 2012 & for 2013 also.

The best of what the hospitality industry has to offer families is revealed in the results of this year’s Primary Times STAR Awards, as voted for by parents of children under 12 in this country.

Readers of Primary Times – the largest free family magazines & website in Ireland www.primarytimes.ie – voiced their views on the country’s most family friendly Hotels and other amenity providers and scored their favourites on customer service, facilities, choice and value for money. The results of these unique awards provide a vital snapshot of what’s important to families especially from an Hotel perspective.

The 4-star Hotel Westport is family owned, by Westport’s very own Hughes family and is one of the leading family friendly, Leisure, conference and wedding venue hotels in the Country. The Hotel already has accolades in this arena from the highly credited Georgina Campbell for 2013 also.

Hotel Westport – Primary Times Winner

Commenting on this latest achievement Mr Cathal Hughes, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Hotel Westport, said “I am extremely pleased about the continuing success at Hotel Westport.  After a very successful 2012 this award, for the third time in a row, cements Hotel Westport’s reputation as a family friendly, value for money Hotel with high standards. I’m delighted for the whole team at the Hotel.”

Declan Heneghan, General Manager of the 4 Star Hotel said “this latest National Award which is one of many this year is an outcome of the emphasis the hotel places on customer care and development of its people to deliver excellence to its guests. Our Panda Club children’s programme concepts are well known and valued by families all over Ireland. The award is testament to the team we have built up here at Hotel Westport over the years. Winning this Award three years in a row is a great benchmark for our delivery of great family Holidays. Everyone is justifiably very proud of the achievement and recognition by Primary Times.”

For more information, click the Family Offers icon on www.hotelwestport.ie

Still searching for that unusual Christmas gift for that special person? Look no further – Destination Westport members have some some very special offers for your and yours this holiday season.

One of the many new bridges built on the Great Western Greenway, with the ancient Burrishoole Bridge in the background.

Cycle and stay at the Clew Bay Hotel – a gift idea with a difference

Cycle Ireland’s longest Greenway from Westport to Achill Island and stay in the heart of Westport at the Clew Bay Hotel.

2 nights bed and breakfast plus bike hire only €99pps

To order a voucher call 098 28088 today

Book online now

Enjoy a massage at Spa Sula

Gift Vouchers for Westport Plaza & Castlecourt Hotel Resort

Buy a gift voucher for €200 or more and receive a voucher for 50% off Spa Treatment in Spa Sula.

For more info visit the Castlecourt Hotel website or the Westport Plaza Hotel website

Spa Salveo at Knockranny House Hotel

Get 20% extra free on Spa Salveo Gift Vouchers

This Christmas, treat the one you love to a Spa Salveo Gift Voucher.

Spend €50 on a gift voucher and receive 20% extra free!! Your gift will be to the value of €60.00

Call Spa Salveo on 098 55155 to purchase this exclusive voucher or come in person to Spa Salveo reception, open until Christmas Eve.

Offer valid for multiples of €50.00; Can be redeemed against any Spa Salveo Treatment; Cannot be exchanged for cash; Not valid for purchases of Spa Products; Subject to availability

Enjoy a family dy out at Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park

Give the gift of a great family day out at Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park

Visit one of Ireland’s Best Family Visitor Attractions and create memories that the whole family will treasure.

Set on the 480 acres of Westport House estate, the Pirate Adventure Park is a treasure trove of family fun with with rides and activities perfectly suited to entertaining families with children under 12.

Get 10% off a family day pass when you book online

Book online now

Special offers from Knockranny House Hotel, AA Hotel of the Year

Knockranny House Hotel

New Years Eve at Knockranny

Enjoy one Night Bed and Breakfast and a Seven Course Tasting Menu on New Year’s Eve in ‘Ireland’s Best Hotel Restaurant’ La Fougere.

On the December 31, allow us to treat you to a complimentary mulled wine and mince pie reception by the open log fire in the Brehon Bar on arrival and treat you to a complimentary glass of bubbly while you ring in 2013 and enjoy the nights live entertainment on New Years Eve.

Indulge the senses whilst staying with us and visit our luxurious spa, ‘Spa Salveo’. Residents over 18 years have complimentary use of the spas vitality pool, thermal and fitness suite.

From €160 per person sharing

Voucher offers from Knockranny House Hotel

The view of Croagh Patrick from La Fougere Restaurant at Knockranny House Hotel

2 Nights bed and breakfast, with 1 Evening Meal – €230 in Total for two people
Valid Midweek until end of February 2013

2 Nights bed and breakfast, with 1 Evening Meal – €379 Total for two people
This voucher is valid for 12 months 7 days a week.

1 Night Dinner, bed and breakfast – €178 Total for two people
Valid Midweek until end of February 2013

For more information on any of these offers visit the Knockranny House Hotel website or call +353 98 28600

Want to keep up-to-date with news and special offers?

Sign up for our newsletter

It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit with Santa, Mrs Claus and their Elves during their annual visit to the stunning 18th century Westport House, which will be transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland from Saturday, November 24, until Christmas Eve.

Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, little ones from all over Ireland are invited to the Winter Wonderland event and will be treated to activities galore!

They can visit Santa and his elves at Santa’s Grotto in the beautiful Drawing Room of Westport House where they will receive a special Christmas gift; they can join Mrs Claus for magical storytelling by the fireside in the Library; or they can take part in the Little Drummer Boy workshop in the Large Dining Room.

The resident snow(wo)man will also be on hand to paint faces with Christmas cheer and they can take the Westport express train throughout the estate.

And if they want to make mum and dad something special for Christmas, they can visit the Elves Workshop and paint their own Christmas decoration to hang proudly on their own tree at home.

Not only that but because it ’tis the season to be jolly, guests will be greeted at Westport House with a complimentary glass of mulled wine or a juice for the little ones.

All activities and gifts are included in the price of €10 for infants (under two years) €20 for children (2-15 years) and €10 for adults. Babies under 1 year old go free for their first Christmas!

Pre-booking is advised for this very popular event, which will run for families at weekends only. School, crèche, corporate and special needs groups are welcome to visit by appointment from Wednesday to Friday between 10am and 2pm.

Visits to Santa’s Grotto will last 20-25 minutes from start to finish although there’s much more to enjoy in the house so it’s best to plan on spending a couple of hours there to soak up all the atmosphere.

Please visit the Westport House Winter Wonderland booking engine to find out if there is availability for your preferred day and time.

If you can’t get to Westport House during this magical Christmas Event, consider giving the gift of a great family day out or an annual membership to one of your loved ones instead. Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park provides up to 120 days of family fun all year round – buy on westporthouse.ie to get special discounts and early bird rates.

For further information on events, tours, fees or bookings, visit westporthouse.ie

Artisan food and craft producers from all over will be converging on the town, giving you the chance to indulge yourself with some tasty treats and find that special Christmas gift.

This Christmas Market will be full of local unique handcrafted gifts for all ages including jewellery, felted slippers and handbags, dolls, stained glass giftware, photographs and paintings, wall sculptures, personalised Christmas stockings and gifts, hardwood clocks, knitted gloves and scarves and much more.

The three days will be jam-packed with live music and entertainment in the James Street Car Park from local choirs, schools, bands, musicians and poets.

Santa’s Grotto in Westport

As ever, Santa will be arriving on Saturday afternoon at 3pm sailing down the Carrowbeg River at the Mall with his little helpers and will be greeting children in his grotto with a gift from the North Pole.

In the courtyard, Santa’s workshop doors will be opened for the young and the young at heart to get a glimpse of the elves’ hard work. Santa, also known as Daidí na Nollag, will be back on Sunday at 2pm to greet any of the children that missed him on Saturday and will be taking all their letters back to the North Pole.

The weekend will be bursting with children’s entertainment from a puppet show, storytelling, face painting, Disney characters meeting all the children, a juggler on stilts, a treasure hunt around Westport Town and Westport’s own Mystery Fairy will be greeting all.

If you want to get involved with your food and craft stall or to entertain onstage, please contact Westport Chamber on 098 27375, or contact through Facebook at Westport Shop N Spraoi. Places are filling up fast – don’t miss out!

Organised by Westport Town Council and The Irish Times, the free Afternoon Party in the grounds of the historic house will feature a packed schedule things to see and do, including heritage, horses, music, food, arts, and sports. All the attractions at Westport House are open to the public with free admission for everyone.

All local people are welcome to attend this unique celebration of the town. Everyone is encouraged to use the free car-parks in Westport and enter Westport House via their new gates on Church Lane, beside Westport Leisure Park.

Westport Town Council and The Irish Times want to express sincere thanks to all in the Westport community for making this day happen, especially John O’Callaghan, The Browne family at Westport House, An Garda Siochana, Mayo Civil Defence, Westport Order of Malta, Westport Tidy Towns, Mayo Sports Partnership, Gno Mhaigh Eo, Westport Chamber of Commerce, Volunteers, All Participants, Artists, Entertainers etc.

You are the reason Westport is Ireland’s Best Place to Live! – Míle Buíochas!

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

1.00 pm Ecumenical Celebration – Holy Trinity Church.

1.45 pm Clew Bay Pipe Band marches from The Octagon and leads people through the New Gates to Westport House at Church Lane.

2.00 pm The Celebration begins in Westport House and continues throughout the afternoon until 6.00 pm.

Heritage Haven – West Garden

Display on the terrace with demonstrations of crafts from the past, including butter-making, baking, spinning, basket making, wood turning, tin smith etc, with vintage tractors and threshing machines on display.

Experience majestic eagles soaring over your head while The Mad Poets Society recite their ramblings. Bronagh Joyce will bring ‘The Story of Westport’ to life with interactive talks at 2.45pm,3.45pm, and 4.45pm.

Westport Horse Show Revisited

The West Mayo Equine Group will bring to life memories of the internationally renowned Westport Horse Show of the 60s and 70s. Parade rings, cross country show jumping and pony rides on ‘The Lawn’.

Sports for All

Demonstrations with our local sporting clubs in association with the Mayo Sports Partnership plus an opportunity to challenge yourself on giant inflatables.

From The Fields of West Mayo

Sample the fare of our local food producers, restaurants and the Westport Country Markets.

Mayo Craft Workers

Display, demonstrations and sales by members of Craftworks Mayo Living Crafts.

Round Table Discussion

The Irish Times Forum – ‘The role of community in modern Ireland’.

Chaired by Kathy Sheridan from The Irish Times – The Drawing Room – 3.30 pm

It never changed a bit!

Learn more about the Laurence Collection, a unique collection of photographs capturing life in Westport from the period 1870 -1914.

Exhibition and illustrated talk by Seamus Gavin – The Greenroom – in the basement of Westport House.

Keep your hat on!

See some of the award-winning millinery by Westport’s Lena Stein – dramatic creations to literally make your head spin – The Blue Bedroom Room in Westport House.

The House is alive to the sound of music

Three locations to listen to a wide variety of music inside Westport House – folk, traditional, classical, choral, jazz, country, and rock.

Portraits in Pastels

Yes, he’s back in The Dining Room, Westport’s own Tom Smith creating those wonderful portraits that so many of us have from of childhood days. Get there early to book yours.

The House Story

Join a guided tour of Westport House running at 3.30 pm and 5.00 pm and learn about the House, Grace O’Malley and The Browne’s connection to the town. Or do your own self-guided tour!

With a bang on a drum!

Fancy yourself as a drummer – join the Drumming Workshop at Gracy’s Beer Garden in The Farmyard, book your space at 2.15pm, start your class and be ready to perform on the steps of Westport House at 5.15pm. This workshop/performance is in association with The Snakes Drumming Group.

The Greenway Artists Initiative

Meet the artists and view the talents of this newly formed collective of artists as they exhibit at The Loft @ Gracy’s Bar in The Farmyard

Tóraíocht Taisce Gráinne Mhaol – Grace O’Malley Treasure Hunt

(in association with Gnó Mhaigh Eo)

Foghlaim faoin bhfoghlaí mara agus aimsigh an taisce! Ceisteanna bunaithe ar an Pirate Queen!

Be in with a chance to win a voucher for 2 adults and 4 children to Winter Wonderland in Westport House plus a host of spot prizes on the day.

Meet the Community

The Community Groups Marquee is where to meet the people who make Westport what it really is. It’s your opportunity to get to know some of those great voluntary organisations and maybe offer your services.

 FREE FAMILY FUN in the Pirate Adventure Park!

Yes we said FREE – enjoy a ride on all the Pirate Adventure Park attractions, including the Pirates Den indoor soft play, The Swan Pedaloe Boats, Westport House Express, The Pirates Plunge Log Flume, Bouncy Castle and Swinging Ship.

Adventure Activities to suit all ages

Try out Zorbing, or Ireland’s longest Zip-wire, give Laser Clay Pigeon Shoot, Archery, Laser Combat Games, Kayaking. And Stand-up Paddle-boarding a go! ALL FREE, sign up early as places may be limited.

TIMES TO NOTE

2.15 pm Drumming Workshop

2.45 pm Strike up the Band – Westport Town Band entertains at the steps

3.00 pm The Irish Times ‘The Best Place to Live’ Presentation. The Main Entrance Steps to Westport House.

3.30 pm Show Jumping on The Lawn

3.30 pm The Irish Times Forum – ‘The role of the community in modern Ireland’. Chair: Kathy Sheridan, Irish Times – The Drawing Room

3.30 pm and 5.00 pm The Westport House Story – guided tour.

2.45 pm, 3.45 pm, and 4.45 pm. ‘The Story of Westport Town’ – Heritage Haven

LIVE MUSIC

Wedding Garden – Outdoor Stage

2.00 pm Gary O’Malley

2.45 pm Russian Delingquents

3.30 pm The Olcan Masterson Band

4.15 pm Avalon

5.00 pm Gremlins at The Disco

Inside the house

On The Great Stairs

2.10 pm Westport Children’s Choir

3.15 pm Mary Curran (French Horn) and Áine Ni Dhubhghaill (Irish Harp)

4.30 pm Westport Choral Society

5.00 pm Coda

The Long Gallery

2.30 pm Ain’t Mis-behaving

4.00 pm The Octagon Jazz Band

The Courtyard

2.00 pm The Cove Youth Café Music Showcase

For further details contact Westport Town Council on 098 50400 or email dlangan@mayococo.ie