Six Unmissable Westport House Attractions

  1. The Gardens

The wonderful, lush estate of Westport House is being extensively and sensitively restored, with some major landscaping projects underway. Many have been finished, while others are ongoing. All are worth taking the time to see and admire. Make sure to take in the Italianate gardens, with their 3,000-year-old Greek sarcophagus; the rose garden, with its rows of crimson blooms; the colourful freshly planted terraces; the enchanting river walk and much, much more.

2. Adventure park

Ah now, who doesn’t love the heart-stopping thrill of a good fun-ride? Westport House’s famous Pirate Adventure Park has thrills galore, from the Plunge Log Flume Ride to the Pirate Queen Swinging Ship to the Cannon Ball Run Slide. The Pirate Adventure Park also boasts a brand new inflatable – the Pirate Ship Obstacle Course. A whole 24 metres of pure playfulness, it features a high slide and plenty of hoops for children to jump through. Have fun watching the kids wobbling around, trying to get from one end of the course to the other.

3. Gracy’s

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Gracy’s Pizzeria and Bistro, just beside the farmyard and campsite, is a firm favourite all year round with locals and visitors alike. With mouthwatering meals, delicious local craft beers and plenty of live entertainment in the evenings, this all-day restaurant serves a wide selection of gastro grub to tickle all taste buds. 

The guardians of little humans will be delighted to know that Gracy’s is also right beside the Pirates’ Playground, which has a slide, climbing frames, rockers and a gorgeous traditional carousel. Sit back and watch on as the kids burn off the calories while you loll around chatting over a local tipple. Perfect!

4. Pedaloes

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@westporthouse fab day yesterday ☀️ We paid €25 per adult & €20 for kids but there was also special deals for larger families or the same price if there was another child & great deal annual passes . We went to tiny town first which was so sweet & they had pedal go karts & a playground too ; beside here there is a larger pizzeria serving lots of salads & dinner options too with lots of outdoor seating overlooking the playground ; we didn’t eat there but it looked good . Next we went on the swan pedalo boats which was great fun ; you could even have a quick picnic on them ? Next we went on the little train ? which has pirate statues along the track which all the kids loved . The pirate haven funfair was next which was my girls favorite; hubs top got soaked ? but dryed off quickly in the sun , next we all went on the pirate boat but my six yr old was quite scared & it’s much higher when your on it ? but I heard other kids saying they were queuing to go on again and loved it . Your day pass covers everything except hook a duck & the pan for gemstones ☝?which are €3 each . My girl loved the gemstone one . There’s a burger cart there too and picnic benches to bring your own but I seen a lovely picnic spot on grass just behind the pirate boat where kiddies can picnic & watch the train go by & you can buy ice pops & ice creams for €2.50 . Lots of toilets there too . Lots to do for kiddies with other Ferris wheel small rides , sand pit , jump around ride & vortex tunnel with a large cannon ball slide with mats which I went on too but managed to let my mat slide down before I got on it ?que lots of ?You can also disc golf ⛳️ You can also pay an extra €5 to go in Westport house which has a museum and cafe ( we have been to see Santa two Christmas’s & would highly recommend ! Plan on maybe going this year too ) Overall we loved it & had a great day ; have been to a pirate themed hen party there too which was great Craic . Defo worth a visit especially if it’s a dry day ! There was also an inflatable city that was closed so hope to come again to see that but there was loads to do . They also have camping facilities so have a look at their web westporthouse.ie xx

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No trip to Westport House would be complete without a ride on the famous pedaloes on the estates beautiful lake. These eight-foot-high swan-shaped pedalo boats allow four pedalling passengers to take in stunning views of the house and gardens, with the real swans that reside on the lake gliding alongside. What a perfect way to work off that pizza from Gracy’s.  

5. Dungeons

Brave souls and macabre minds will want to inspect the house’s dungeons, formed from the foundations of the castle built almost five centuries ago by the Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley or Grainuaile. Dark and dank, exactly as dungeons should be, visitors can easily imagine the chained prisoners, the chests of gold, and the plotting of pirates past.

6. Westport House Express

Who needs the Orient Express when you’ve got the Westport House Express? Hop aboard thid brightly-coloured, fully-enclosed miniature train and take a guided tour around Westport House Estate, Westport Quay and Westport Town. This train ride is a simply brilliant way to get a feel for your surroundings and hear some fascinating local stories – a great experience for passengers of all ages.

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