The Westport Woods Hotel & Spa is an ideal destination for families. The
hotel's popular go!kids! club runs during holiday times in the mornings and
evenings, leaving the afternoons free for family time.
Right behind the hotel is Westport House and Country Park, one of Ireland's
biggest day visitor attractions for families. The stately home itself is
open to visitors and there are a host of other attractions including a mini-train,
kiddie rides and slides, swan pedalos, ghostly dungeons and a small zoo.
In Westport town there are some short walks (ask our get!together! co-ordinator
for details), bicycle hire, cinema and plenty of shops.
Go South
South along the coast are Blue Flag beaches at Murrisk and Old Head which are
safe family destinations. Croagh Patrick is a rigorous climb for teens and fitter
parents! Driving on through the attractive town of Louisburgh brings you through
the amazing scenery of the Doo Lough Valley and on to Aasleagh Falls and the pretty
village of Leenane known as the location for the blockbuster film ‘The Field'.
Leenane has lunch spots and lovely picnicking areas. It's also home to the Wool &
Sheep Museum.
On the Clifden road, just a couple of minutes from Leenane is Killary Cruises, a 90
minute trip up Killary Fjord on a huge catamaran boat. Food and refreshments are
available on board - don't forget to watch out for the dolphins. A few miles further
on is Kylemore Abbey with superb grounds and gardens including the newly refurbished
Victorian Walled Garden. This road leads onto Connemara National Park Letterfrack
and Clifden.
This is the scenic route to Galway city too, city of the tribes with so much to offer
the visitor. Come back the short way though, through Ballinrobe, it'll take you just
75 minutes.
Go West
Take the Newport Road from Westport and you'll find Mulranny with its beautiful beach,
golf links and pretty village just half an hour away. Another half hour and you're
heading onto Achill, Ireland's largest island and renowned amongst artists.
The beaches
are just wonderful and have great surf for the brave. There's an adventure centre to
check out some new sports too.
Go North
15 minutes up the road is Castlebar, the county town, with bowling, laser games and
an indoor kiddie fun centre, Nokies. The Linenhall Arts Centre also run regular children's
programmes. Five miles from Castlebar on the Dublin Road (N5) is the National Museum of
Ireland, Country Life which has a full programme of children's activities year round.
Booking is recommended as these activities are really popular and fill up quickly.
Another 15 minutes will bring you to Hennigan's Heritage, a representation of life before
the famine where kids can see real farm animals as well as see the lifestyle of another era.
For a more extensive day trip Sligo is a lovely city with plenty to offer in terms of
shops, cafés and art. Not far away is Drumcliffe where the poet W.B. Yeats was laid to
rest in a delightful churchyard.
