The best hikes from bus stations around Islandeady Lough

Westport House is often considered the most beautiful historic house in Ireland. The current building dates from 1730 and was designed by the famous architects Richard Cassels and James Wyatt at the behest of the Browne family (the Earls of Altamont and later Marquesses of Sligo). It is built on the ruins of a castle belonging to the pirate queen Grace O'Malley.

In the middle of Westport's unique octagonal square, St. Patrick towers over the city on a column from 1845. Where a controversial banker once stood, Ireland's patron saint now watches over the market stalls and colourful facades. This monument is the beating heart of the city and the ideal starting point for any cyclist: from here, Patrick symbolically points you the way to his holy mountain on the horizon.

The striking 1947 limestone clock tower is the undisputed centerpiece of Westport. Located at the intersection of colorful shopping streets, this tower has served as a favorite meeting point for travelers and locals for decades.

From the central bridge over the Carrowbeg River, experience the unique elegance of Westport. Looking along the tree-lined avenues of The Mall, you'll see how the 18th-century architecture and the babbling waterfalls merge into a harmonious whole. With colourful facades reflecting in the water and stately stone walls on either side, this is the perfect spot to park your bike for a moment and capture the "Venice of the West" on film.

In the middle of Westport's unique octagonal square, St. Patrick towers over the city on a column from 1845. Where a controversial banker once stood, Ireland's patron saint now watches over the market stalls and colourful facades. This monument is the beating heart of the city and the ideal starting point for any cyclist: from here, Patrick symbolically points you the way to his holy mountain on the horizon.

The artwork The Sentinel is a striking and modern beacon guarding the northern entrance to Westport. This impressive bronze sculpture by Irish artist Vivienne Roche was unveiled in 1992 and has since become an iconic landmark for travellers entering or leaving the town towards the Mayo mountains. Note the abstract shapes, reminiscent of the sails of ships that once sailed Clew Bay.

Opposite the bay, at the western exit of the city, lies the old harbor, which still has large stone warehouses. These impressive stone buildings along the quay originally served as storage for goods that arrived by ship from all over the world. Many of these buildings have now been beautifully restored and house apartments, shops, and pubs.

Killawalla, or Killavally, is a pleasant village in County Mayo. It's said that St. Patrick passed through this way on his journey to the great Croagh Patrick and hiker's completing the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail will also be following in his footsteps here. The village has a church (St. Patrick's) and a pub: MacEvilly's.