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Westport at the turn of the century
Westport, on the banks of the river Carrowbeg is one of only two planned towns in Ireland and
is but 250 years old. It's Gaelic name Cathair na Mart translates as 'The Stone Fort of the
Beeves'.
The territory around Westport, known to the Geals as 'Umhalls' was for a long time the strong
hold of the Clan O'Malley. When the Normans came to Ireland they adapted to the Irish ways
becoming 'more Irish than the Irish themselves'. It was the Bourkes (Norman de Burgos) who
settled in this area in 1235 and soon became the allies of the Clan O'Malley.
Three centuries later the English Governor of Connaught, Sir Nicolas Malbay was to destroy the
O'Malley stronghold but after years of struggle and confusion Tibod-na-Long', son of Grainne
O'Malley and Richard Burke was named Viscount of Mayo. It was his successor, John Browne who is
credited in planning Westport town between 1750 and 1760.
John Browne, married to Maud Bourke, was one of the men who drafted The Treaty of Limerick.
In 1732 he engaged Richard Cassel, (the architect who designed Leinster House and Carton House),
to start work on Westport House. At this point Westport was still a small village. The first
buildings in the town were 2 storey and built in stone with slated roofs and small windows.
The original town was to spread from John's Row to Tubberhill and from West Road & Peter Street
to Church Street. These streets were named after local features or members of the Browne family.
Over the next 50 years, under the supervision of the Browne family, the town was to expand significantly
and with the expansions came heightened prosperity. A linen industry was establish in the the early 1770s.
Next came a small port on the quay and markets for linen and agricultural produce. Further work was carried
out on Westport House by James Wyatt and English architect in 1780 and extensive oyster and herring fishing
occurred in Clew Bay. The port was fully developed by 1818 as were the Malls on the banks of the Carrowbeg.
Westport was becoming a major financial center of the West and the Bank of Ireland and Post Office were
completed by 1825.
Tragically, Mayo was one of the counties worst hit by The Great Famine and the Brownes,
(now the Earls of Altamont) were forced to move from Westport House to the town. The industrial
revolution caused further problems to Westports prosperity. With it came the decline of the linen
industry and railways came to replace ports in the transporting of goods. In fact, it was not until
the 1950's that Westport town again began to flourish.
Today Westport is a vibrant and booming town with a healthy tourist industry and a great reputation
for sea angling, golf and sailing. Westport is also an affluent centre of commerce,
hosting such companies as Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Gammaster, Trouw, The Hughes Group and The Berry Print Group.
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Westport Coat of Arms.
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