A stylish new hotel in County Mayo champions the spirit of slow adventure
Westport House, County Mayo
You can always trust County Mayo to deliver. With its island-studded bay, mythical mountain and long, sandy Atlantic beaches, this is a destination that rewards taking your time – an approach reflected in a new hotel that evokes the beauty, spirit and charm of the west of Ireland. Perched on the edge of the historic Westport Estate, The Grace’s interiors draw on the muted tones of the surrounding landscape, which means you’ll feel immersed in nature from the moment you arrive. As well as 430 acres of woodland estate through which the Carrowbeg River runs, the hotel is within easy distance of some of Mayo’s most legendary landscapes.
As Siobhan O’Sullivan of Westport Estate notes, a stay here lets you take life at a calmer pace. “The Grace is perfectly situated for meaningful adventures,” she explains. “From the hotel, guests can explore woodland trails, coastal routes and mountain cycling along the Great Western Greenway. They can discover the inlets of Clew Bay, or journey to Achill Island and the striking Keem Bay.”
The Grace - Bridal Suite Co. Mayo
Authentic experiences close at hand
That’s the joy of this part of the world – Westport is close, with its independent shops, cosy pubs and scenic river, but there’s also plenty to see and do in the surrounding area, whether you want to head into the mountains or explore the coast.
“Beyond Westport, in any direction, the experience is shaped by a strong sense of connection to place, people and local heritage,” Siobhan says. This is something the hotel makes the most of, with activities such as visits to Croagh Patrick Seafood, where oysters are cultivated in the waters of Clew Bay, and trips to Glen Keen Farm for insight into traditional farming life and sheepdog heritage. Get chatting to one of the team, and you’ll leave with a long list of highlights just a short hop from the hotel.
“Each recommendation is designed to encourage guests to slow down, engage more deeply and experience the real Mayo like a local,” says Siobhan.
Summit of Croagh Patrick at sunset Co. Mayo
From iconic mountains to wild landscapes
One of the more popular things to do in the county is, of course, the iconic Croagh Patrick. Ireland’s holy mountain has long been associated with pilgrimage, but in recent years it’s become a hiking destination, too. Climb this distinctive peak, and you’ll get incredible views of Clew Bay and the hundreds of islands scattered in the turquoise waters below. The final stretch has been made that bit easier with the recent construction of a natural path that traverses the scree near the summit.
As well as Croagh Patrick, Mayo is filled with mountain ranges that undulate across the deep green landscape. Wild Nephin National Park is a vast, unspoiled region where you can hike through deep forests, walk alongside rivers and discover flat, calm lakes. It’s an excellent spot for stargazing, too – head to the Dark Sky Park and you can take in those wide night skies, without a light to be seen for miles.
“Wild Nephin National Park is one of the last true wilderness areas in Ireland,” says Christoper Stacey, director and guide at Footfalls Walking Holidays.
“It’s quiet, remote and feels miles away from everything, so it’s ideal for walkers who want that ‘off the beaten track’ experience, with vast bogland, mountains and very few people. You can walk for hours without seeing another person. That quiet isn’t emptiness – it’s what allows you to properly switch off and be present.”
The Grace Foyer, Co. Mayo
Mayo at its most unrushed…
In a world where we need to be constantly online and available, there’s real power in allowing yourself to feel fully in the moment. It’s far easier to do so when you’re in a place of such striking natural beauty – in County Mayo, some of the most remarkable sections of the Wild Atlantic Way are found along the shoreline, like the perfect white sand curve of Keem Bay – frequently visited by basking sharks in the spring - and the wilds of Downpatrick Head and the Dún Briste sea stack.
There are also swathes of untouched, quintessentially Irish countryside both on the shoreline and inland, such as the Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark, which just recently achieved UNESCO Global Geopark status.
“It's a region that you can come to and truly switch off,” says Geopark Tourism Officer Sinéad Seoighe. “It can feel unrushed, not only because of the amazing landscape, but also the heritage of the area. We want visitors to come not just to tick the box, but to spend a night or two or longer, and to engage with the local people.”
In fact, it’s the world’s first Geopark to include a Gaeltacht, an Irish‑speaking region where you can experience the landscape, culture and everyday life of Mayo in its most authentic form.
When you can take the time to connect with local people, immerse yourself in the stories and absorb the pure, breathtaking beauty of an unspoiled county, you can truly reap the benefits of a proper slow adventure.
Couple walking above Ashleam Bay, Achill Island, Co Mayo
Five to try in County Mayo
Explore the islands
There are 365 islands in Clew Bay, one of which is Collanmore Island. Head over with The Adventure Islands, and you can go kayaking, take a sauna on the sand or go on a sea safari to discover all the local marine life.
Cycle the Greenway
Rent a bike (or an e-bike, to make those hills easier) and explore what was Ireland’s first Greenway, on a scenic route along the coastline to Achill.
Experience Westport’s music scene
There are few better ways to spend the evening than with a traditional music session in Westport’s famous Matt Molloy’s pub.
Go horse-riding
Whether you want to canter on the white sands or go trekking through beautiful woodland, Mayo is a perfect spot for horse-riding.
Enjoy an age-old ritual
Take a soak in a hand-harvested, locally sourced seaweed bath at Achill Island Seaweed Baths on this beautiful County Mayo island.