Tourism
Westport is County Mayo's premier tourist destination, popular with holiday makers from all over the World and Ireland, it is considered one of the liveliest and most charming towns in the West of Ireland.
In 1842, the English novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray, visited Westport and wrote of the town:
"The most beautiful view I ever saw in the World. It forms an event in one's life to have seen that place so beautiful that is it, and so unlike other beauties that I know of. Were such beauties lying on English shores it would be a World's wonder perhaps, if it were on the Mediterranean or Baltic, English travellers would flock to it by hundreds, why not come and see it in Ireland!"
Visitors visit Westport for several reasons: the scenery; the pubs and restaurants in the town; blue flag beaches; and Croagh Patrick. Its proximity to Connemara, Achill, Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, and its hotels and guest houses, make it a base for holidaymakers to tour the region.
Westport is also well known for sea-angling, and freshwater fishing is popular on nearby Loughs Mask and Carra, and on the Eriff river. Westport House and its Pirate Adventure Park attracts families, many of whom stay at the caravan and camping park which belongs to Westport House. Westport has an 18-hole golf course. A nearby 9-hole course has an attached guest accommodation.
In January 2008, Westport became Google Earth's first fully 3D town,
Read more about this topic: Westport, County Mayo
Famous quotes containing the word tourism:
“In the middle ages people were tourists because of their religion, whereas now they are tourists because tourism is their religion.”
—Robert Runcie (b. 1921)