Westport House

Westport House is a beautiful Georgian mansion located in County Mayo, Ireland. It was originally built by the Browne family who were one of Westport’s most prominent merchant families. The house has undergone many renovations over the years and still stands today as a testament to its grandeur days. The history of Westport House is an interesting story that begins with Stephen Browne in 1768 when he inherited his father’s mercantile business and proceeded to invest heavily in land holdings throughout Ireland including Westport, Ballycastle, Killala, Kilkee and Loughrea. With this investment came responsibility for managing these properties which he did from his home at Westport House where he would go on to make it one of the largest estates in Connmara.

While many of the surrounding properties have been lost, Westport House has survived to this day and is now open for tours.

History of Westport House

The house was originally built in 1720 by George Browne who would go on to become Lord Altamont. He died at a young age leaving his fortune to his wife Arabella Burke who remarried with Pierce Mahony who became Baronet of Lower Connello. The estate then went through another series of changes when it passed into the hands of Elizabeth Hawkins-Magill daughter of Sir John Hawkins Bart., whose family resided there until 1916 after which time most Irish estates were sold off due to financial reasons brought about during WWI . It wasn’t long before the mansion fell upon hard times as its future seemed uncertain and it was soon up for sale. It was eventually sold to the Westport Agricultural Society and used as a show ground until 1954 when the house passed into private hands once more.

The house is now owned by Martin and Jane O’Neill who have worked hard over recent years to restore some of its former glory while also modernizing it enough so that it can remain comfortable and well suited for the 21st century.

Created: 13  October  2021  Edited: 29  November  2023