Thousands of parents voted Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park the Best Family Visitor Attraction in the West for the second year in a row, in the recent Primary Times Star Awards 2012.

The attraction offers a great range of things to do to keep all the family entertained, from heritage exhibitions and tours of the 16th century historic house for adults and kids, to outdoor amusements in the Pirate Adventure Park, to thrilling activities for all ages in the Adventure Activity Centre, and a calendar of special events throughout the year.

To celebrate their Primary Times Star Award, Westport House has announced an exciting line up of events for the Autumn/Winter season, including the much-anticipated annual Halloween Fest, Fireworks Extravaganza and Winter Wonderland.

Westport House Halloween Fest

Central to the annual Halloween Fest, which runs from October 27 to November 4, is the beautiful 16th century ‘Haunted’ Westport House. With a range of free activities and workshops, including the popular Storytime with the White Witch, colouring competitions, Halloween characters, Jack O’ Lantern Carving and fireworks, families are sure to have a ‘scream’ of a time.

Kids will get shivers down their backs at the Pirate Adventure Park as they plunge on the Cannonball Run slide, dangle on the Pirates Swinging Ship and thrust into the Pirate Plunge log flume ride.

Even walking around the historic Westport House is an eerie experience.

The Haunted House will be open from 11am to 5pm daily, with rides and attractions open from 1pm to 5pm daily. The regular Pirate Pass pricing applies, which means that visitors can avail of discounted hotel prices.

Westport House Fireworks Extravaganza

Join Westport House for an explosive evening of treats and tricks on Sunday, October 28 at 7pm for the annual Fireworks Extravangza. Not only will you see the skies light up but you can practice your Thriller dance moves at the Halloween dance in the front lawn of Westport House. Make sure you look scarily good to be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the costume competition. Entry is €5 per person. Gates open at 6:30pm.

Westport House Winter Wonderland

The magical Westport House Winter Wonderland, which will run every weekend from November 24 to Christmas Eve, is now hailed as one of the best Christmas experiences in the West.

The Winter Wonderland not only includes a special visit to Santa’s Grotto and gifts for kids but complimentary drinks for all, face painting and train rides in the Westport House Express where you can take in the magnificent grounds! You can also enjoy a Festive Storytime with Mrs Claus, an Elves Workshop to see all of the hard work that goes on in preparation for Santa’s visits, and children can even make their own decoration to take home with them.

Babies under 1 year old go free for their first Christmas, and Westport House has an all-in price of €10 for infants between 1 – 2 years (a gift is included), €20 for children from 2 yrs and up (visiting Santa), and €10 for adults. For this very popular event, pre-booking is required to secure preferred times and dates to avoid disappointment.

Westport House Adventure Activity Centre

Westport House is fast becoming a hub for adventure activities in the West with their new Adventure Activity Centre in the beautiful woodlands surrounding the house. A range of activities such as zorbing, zipwire, archery, orienteering, kayaking, laser combat games, stand up paddle boarding and laser clay pigeon shooting are available all year round and by appointment only during the Autumn/Winter.

Westport House and Gardens

The historic 16th Century Westport House and Gardens are open daily in September from 10m – 4pm, and from October to December at weekends only.

For further information on events, tours, fees or bookings, visit westporthouse.ie, find Westport House on Facebook or call +353 98 27766

From Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 27, Westport will be encouraging everyone to “get out there” and try a wonderful range of sporting activities. Events announced so far for the Get Out There festival include the Tagged in Westport tag rugby tournament, The Great Western Greenway 10k, outdoor gym sessions, family walks and cycles on the Great Western Greenway, zorbing, laser clay pigeon shooting, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and a Walk Your Pet charity event. More events will be added to the packed schedule in coming weeks.

Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19

Tagged in Westport

Tag Rugby Weekend League

Team registration is €299.00 per team and individual registration is €35.00 per person which includes:

• BBQ on Friday night in C2 Niteclub and Entertainment & Games
• Registration for Event on Saturday
• Buffet, prizegiving and Entertainment on Saturday night

The Event

• The Captain or a member of the team must register on Friday night
• Event kicks off at 11am on Saturday morning
• Teams are made up of a minimum 9 players with at least 3 women
• Games are 10 minutes aside and each team is guaranteed 4 games
• The event will consist of tag teams of all levels and playing abilities
• If you do not have a full team, you can register individually and we will put you into a team

More information on the Tagged in Westport website

Sunday, May 20

Family Greenway Walks and Cycles

Try out The Great Western Greenway – Family Challenges.

Monday, May 21

Primary Schools Cycle Skills

Mayo Sports Partnership and Mayo Road Safety Finale and presentation

Westport Skate Park, 11.00 am

Outdoor Gym Sessions

Demonstration of outdoor fitness equipment led by qualified fitness instructor from Westport Leisure Park

Greenway Fitness Park, 1.00 pm

Tuesday, May 22

Inter-Schools Splash ’n’ Dash Relay Event

Teams of 3 from Primary Schools in the area compete a swimming challenge followed by a relay/obstacle run

Westport Leisure Park, 10.30am

Entry  Forms and details from Westport Leisure Park +353 98 29160

An Post Rás – Stage Finish

The An Post Rás is an annual, eight-day, stage race around Ireland. The race is Ireland’s number one cycling event and this year it starts on May 20 and finishes on May 27.

The epic race began in 1953 and has been held every year since. It is one of Ireland’s top sporting events bringing world class cycling action to towns and villages nationwide.

The Rás has a worldwide reputation of being a gruelling challenge in the elite international calendar. The open racing style allows amateur county and club riders to pit themselves against domestic and international professionals.

An Post Rás – Gort to Westport Stage Finish, Mill Street, 2.00pm

More information on the An Post Rás website

Westport Tri-Club Aquathlon

Westport Harbour, 7.30pm

Wednesday, May 23

An Post Rás – Stage Start

Westport to Bundoran, 11.00 am

Mayo Lions Club Charity Cycle

Outdoor Gym Sessions

Demonstration of outdoor fitness equipment led by qualified fitness instructor from Westport Leisure Park

Greenway Fitness Park, 11.00am

Thursday, May 23

Toddlers Tricycle

Let your Toddlers experience the Greenway and meet Minnie Mouse and Dora along the route

Westport Quay entrance to the Greenway, 7.00pm

Friday, May 25

Outdoor Gym Sessions

Demonstration of outdoor fitness equipment led by qualified fitness instructor from Westport Leisure Park

Greenway Fitness Park, 7pm

Saturday, May 26

Gloucester Rotary Club CF Fundraising Climb of Croagh Patrick

10am

Great Western Greenway 10k

Registration: 11.30am to 1.00pm  at Westport Leisure Park

Event Start 2pm – transport to the starting point will be provided

Finish at St Marys Crescent, Westport

Presentation and entertainment at Westport Leisure Park

Cost: €20 includes t-shirt, chip timing, refreshments etc

More information and registration forms on the Mayo Sports Partnership website or contact Anne Ronayne on +353 94 904 7025

Activities on The Mall

The Adventure Islands are providing sit on top canoes and stand-up paddle-boarding, sailing in their new pico boats and archery

The Mall, 1pm

Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting

Westport Leisure Park, 1pm

Outdoor Adventure Activities at Westport House

Adventure West invites you try zorbing. and the brand-new 270m zip wire

Westport House, 1pm

Sunday, May 27

Walk your Pet Charity Event

Walk your pet on The Greenway and make a donation to help an animal charity.

The Fairgeen, 2.30pm

More information from The Lodge Vet Hospital website or telephone +353 98 26006

Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting with The Adventure islands

Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting

Laser clay pigeon shooting at Westport House

Laser clay pigeon shooting in the beautiful heritage and parkland setting of Westport House Estate, offers groups of all ages the opportunity to try out clay pigeon shooting without the risks of shooting a real firearm or the jolt of recoil. As a result, it’s completely safe and seriously competitive while maintaining high levels of FUN!

A variation on the traditional sport of clay pigeon shooting, laser clay shooting is the electronic way of enjoying this popular, traditional activity and offers a safe alternative for beginners. Real shotguns have been adapted to fire harmless infrared beams at targets which fly through the air in the traditional way, launched from an electronic launcher. Five people shoot at the same target and score independently which results is a highly competitive and enjoyable game.

Suitable for all ages, find out more from Westport House or from The Adventure Islands

Pirates Plunge Log Flume at Westport House

Treasure your Family Time at Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park

Are you looking for a variety of things to do to excite the whole family? Looking for an experience that you’ll all cherish for years to come? Look no further!  A visit to Westport House delivers the ultimate family day out and the Pirate Adventure Park is ideally suited to children under 12 years.