The earliest part of
the house was built in the 1730's for John Browne later first earl
of Alatmont. In 1778 further extension were made forming a courtyard
at the rear, later still this was roofed.
The interior  of the
house is magnificent due mainly to decoration and plaster work done
by James Wyatt, who was hired by the third earl later to become
marques's of Sligo. The walls are hung with family portraits two
by Sir Joshua Reynolds, there are several landscapes by Irish painter
James Arthur O'Connell (1792 - 1841)
In the dining room is the Mayo Legion Flag,
brought from France by General
Humbert when he landed at Killala Bay in 1798.
Beneath the house are dungeons these date
from an earlier dwelling, allegedly the castle was once the home
of the famous Irish Pirate Queen Grace
O'Malley, born in 1530 she had a large fleet of war galleys
and attacked the Irish coast and Atlantic shipping. In 1593 she
sailed her ship up the river Thames in London, in an audience with
Queen Elizabeth I. she negotiated a pardon and retired.
Westport House
Westport
Co Mayo
Tel 00353 98 25430
Or 00353 98 27766
Fax 00353 98 25206
E Mail
Web Site
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