Looking for an affordable weekend get away to experience the real Ireland? I spent two days in Westport, Ireland and for less than €120, I got to explore the town, meet new people, and hike the historic Croagh Patrick.
Getting to Westport is easy; you can either go by train or bus. For time sake I rode the Irish Rail for €50 which included my return ticket. Upon arriving in Westport on Saturday morning I hiked to the Bed and Breakfast I was staying in which was just outside of the town. If you are not up for the hike outside of the town there are plenty of B&B’s in town which were just as affordable. I found the average rate was around €30 per person. This bed and breakfast, Rosmo House, is exactly halfway between the town of Westport and Croagh Patrick.
This was a perfect fit for me because I knew I wanted to explore both and I did not mind the walk through such a beautiful part of the country. The people who owned the bed and breakfast were very nice and even offered to give me a ride to the base of Croagh Patrick.
Croagh Patrick, a sacred mountain, is climbed by thousands every July as part of a pilgrimage which most pilgrims hike barefoot! Aside from the historical, archeological heritage of the mountain, it is a great hike all year round in Ireland. I only made it half way on Saturday because of weather but even from its midpoint, the views of the Clew Bay were amazing. Hiking the mountain is free but do not forget your hiking boots and walking stick because of the steep trails.
Croagh Patrick is a great way to meet new people of all ages and cultures because as people travel from all over the globe to visit this sacred mountain and I could certainly see why. Aside from breath taking views every time I turned around, there are sheep which roam the mountain watching the world go by. After the hike I went to a pub which was right outside the park gates. This pub was called Campbell’s and for seven euro I got an amazing hot chocolate and an open chicken sandwich which came with an Irish slaw. Do not let the price fool you because the portions were huge; well worth the money.
Directly across from the pub and mountain is the National Famine Memorial. I found this memorial to be particularly interesting because the ship is made up of skeletons symbolizing all the lives which were lost during the time of the great Famine in the 1800’s. After visiting the memorial, I began my journey back to Rosmo House. This walk was about six miles, but being able to look at the beautiful scenery was worth every step. The road takes you right along the Bay and then through a smaller town as well.
The only advice I have for this part of the journey is to plan accordingly with the sunset. The first reason being you do not want to be walking through dark roads at night in an area you are not familiar with… this town was nothing like Dublin, meaning there are no street lights and not very may cars. The second reason to plan around the sunset would be, of course, to watch it! At this time of the year if you are in the right spot, the sun sets right over Croagh Patrick and it is absolutely beautiful. The spot I stopped to watch the sunset was only a block away from the bed and breakfast where I stayed so it ended up working out perfectly.
Of course, you do not need to walk back from the mountain especially if you are staying closer to town. There are buses which run from the mountain into town daily, and there are also taxis in Westport. However, I strongly suggest walking; it is a great hike and a good way to end the day.
The greatest thing about staying in a bed and breakfast is definitely the breakfast. At Rosmo House, I had a wide range of choices but I wanted the real Irish experience so I went with the traditional Irish breakfast which consisted of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, and toast. After breakfast is when my journey begins again but it does not have to end there. You can stay and hang out because your check out time is not until 11. The owners of the bed and breakfast even offered to give me a lift into town but my purpose of this trip was to explore and that includes having to walk everywhere and sometimes getting lost along the way.
From Rosmo House, the city centre is about four miles with plenty of things to see on the way. I think the best part of this trip were the animals I ran into while walking everywhere. The animals are not afraid and do not seemed to be bothered with people getting close to them. Upon making my way into town, I passed by many shops and cafes which were small but affordable. One of the pubs which was recommended to me was Matt Molloy’s. The pub itself has an awesome atmosphere and if you go in at the right time, you can grab a pint and listen to a traditional Irish music session. After grabbing a pint from Molloy’s I was excited to explore the rest of the town. Even though small, Westport has a lot to offer; everything from shops to restaurants to traditional Irish culture and craft shops. Dividing the town is a small river which adds not only a peaceful environment but a warm and inviting location for all. The people of Westport were very nice, always going out of their way like stopping for pedestrians to cross the road; not something we are used to in Dublin.
After going through all the shops and the rest of the town, I discovered a trail which takes you along the back side of the town through the rolling hills of Ireland. The trail is about two miles long and exposes you to a different side of Westport. The views from the trail are amazing but the most beautiful was of Croagh Patrick in the distance.
Westport is a small town but I know I did not explore it all, I’m sure there is more to see and do. Pictures cannot do this scenery justice which is why I suggest everyone takes the time to see Westport for themselves!
Erica Laduca
Champlain College Dublin Student
Hilbert College Class of 2012