Westport, well-known for the variety of its restaurants, pubs and late bars, is one of the best places in Ireland to enjoy a night`s craic with friends.

Restaurants

Dotted throughout the town, charming restaurants serve contemporary treats waiting to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Westport offers a varied selection of Irish and Continental cuisine lovingly prepared using seasonal local ingredients. And touching the shores of Clew Bay, it is little wonder that many of the town`s best loved eateries specialize in tasty, fresh seafood treasures. So why not treat yourself? Dig deep into a bag of warm, crispy chips or unwind in the attentive service of an award-winning restaurant - the choice is yours.

Pubs

Irish pubs are famous the world over for their atmosphere and entertainment and Westport`s bars and pubs deliver this in spades. For the majority of people `a bit of craic` in one of the local pubs a must-do item on any visit to Westport.

From the larger, better-known pubs such as Matt Molloy`s to smaller, traditional establishments like Moran`s on Bridge Street which still has a grocer`s shop in the front bar, Westport pubs and bars have something to suit everyone.

Most Westport pubs have televisions for big sporting occasions although, if you`d prefer not to watch, there are still a few like McGing`s that steadfastly refuse to allow televisions in. Blouser`s was used as the location for the famous `Pat’s bar` Guinness ad, where the publican threw out the TV, although if you go there now you`ll find the TV is back!

Music

If it`s music you`re after, Matt Molloy`s is best known for traditional Irish gigs and sessions. Petie Joe’s at the Castlecourt Hotel, T Bourke`s, The Clock Tavern and the Porterhouse have regular music throughout the year, while McGing`s hosts a monthly jazz gig and other, more sedate concerts and sessions.

Late Bars and Nightclubs

For those who want to party to the small hours there are a number of late bars and nightclubs to choose from. C2 on Castlebar Street is a regular, year round nightclub, while Cosy Joe`s and Heneghan`s on Bridge Street open later than most of the other bars in the town. For those who want to party to the small hours there are a number of late bars and nightclubs to choose from. C2 on Castlebar Street is a regular, year round nightclub, while Cosy Joe’s and Heneghan’s on Bridge Street open later than most of the other bars in the town and both usually have a DJ.

Take in a Show

There are two regular shows in Westport this summer: The Magic Parlour magic show and The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol musical extravaganza based on the life of Granuaile, both at Hotel Westport.