• The Wild Atlantic Way is a World Class tourism touring route that is 2,500km in distance and stretches from the Inishowen Peninsula, all the way down along the West coast of Ireland to the town of Kinsale.
• One of the most impressive and amazing towns along the Atlantic Way route is the town of Westport, in County Mayo. With a population of 5,500 people, it is the third largest town in the county and its Irish language translation is (‘Cathairna Marta’) ‘stone fort of the beeves’. Another remarkable fact about Westport, is that in 1892 ‘The Mayo News’ newspaper began publishing its paper in the town.
• Westport House was designed by German architect Richard Cassels in 1730 when construction began of the current house. Later James Wyatt built the remaining three facades to form a quadrangle.
• William Makepeace Thackeray, a 19^th century English novelist described the town in 1842 as ‘the most beautiful view I ever saw in the World’.
• The nickname ‘Coveys’ is given to the natives of Westport because of their distinct dialect ‘coves’.
• Earliest known settlers in Westport, about 5,000 years ago from the existence of megalithic monuments found in the area.
• In 1780,the town centre was conceived by James Wyatt in Georgian architectural style.
• Westport won the Irish Tidy towns award in 2001,2006 and 2008 and also an Irish Times best place to live in Ireland award in 2012.It is also twinned with Plougastel-Daoulas in Brittany, France and Limavady,County Derry.
• Infamous pirate Queen Grace O’Malley ruled the area in the 16^th Century with her fortress.
• In the 17^th Century, one of the most powerful families were the Browne’s.