Westport is 250 years old. Its Gaelic name ‘Cathair na Mart’ translates as ‘The Stone Fort of the Beeves’. It was for a long time the stronghold of the Clan O’Malley. The Normans then came to Ireland and adapted to Irish ways. It was the Bourkes who settled at Westport in 1235 and became allies with the Clan O’Malley.

Three centuries later, the English Governer of Connaught Sir Nicolas Malbey was to destroy the O’Malley stronghold and after years of struggling the son of Grainne O’Malley was named Viscount of Mayo. His successor John Browne planned Westport town in 1750. He also drafted the Treaty of limerick.

At this point Westport was still a small village. The first buildings were two-storey and built in stone with slated roofs. The original town streets were named after local features or members of the Browne family.

Over the next 50 years it expanded. A linen industry was built and a small port on the Quay. There were markets for agricultural produce. In the bay there was oyster and herring fishing. In 1818 the port was fully developed. In 1825 the Bank of Ireland and post office were completed.

The Famine destroyed a lot of Westport and the Brownes who lived at Westport house moved to the town. In the 1950s it once again began to flourish, with railways being built.