Ireland is known for many things – a welcoming culture, rich heritage reflected in the language and ancient stories from the legends of the Tuatha De Danann who in legends, arrived in Connacht on the west coast around 1800 BC. Much mythos and history is stated to have come from the West and this province in particular – a place of sheer beauty
While much of the ancient legends are lost to time, one cannot deny the history of this region from the days of the Kingdom of Connacht and neighbouring Kingdom of Breifne (my maternal ancestorial lineage) through the middle ages, the Cromwellian era of forced migration culminating in the Great Famine of the 19th Century
Signs of our ancient and more recent colonial past are self evident amongst the natural raw beauty as one can track along the Wild Atlantic Way from Kerry to Mayo and beyond. As is the case with Ireland, its history reflects the harsh and soft beauty of its natural surrounds.
One such place that has an unique history is the atlantic coastal town of Westport. Situated in Clew Bay with the river Carrowbeg passing through, this small town of roughly 7,000 people are known for their welcoming warmth and also as one of the very few towns in Ireland to have been planned ground up, construction wise from its inception thus helping it attain its current heritage town status
Westport as we know it today was the result of the decision of the First Earl of Altamont in the mid 1700s to construct a new town to replace the Cathair na Mart settlement so that the landscaping of the Westport House Estate/Parkland could take place. And what an idyllic place to build as the mountain of Croagh Patrick provides a beautiful backdrop to not only to the town but the inner Clew Bay.
So my path on this journey took me from Westport into Westport House Estate and down along Clew Bag opposite Croagh Patrick. This photo blog shall include:
- Westport House & Estate
- Croagh Patrick
Westport House & Estate
Westport House, also known as one of Ireland’s most Beautiful Homes, was in the ownership of the Brown family for nearly four centuries. The Browne family have deep rooted connections to the region dating back to the 16th century with a linked blood line to the Chieftain (and Pirate Queen) Grace O Malley through marriage
The house itself in its current iteration, started construction in the late 1700s based on the designs of famous architects – Richard Cassels, James Wyatt and Thomas Ivory.
The original house before its Georgian iteration (18th Century onwards) was a smaller less imposing structure build by Colonel John Browne who was present at the Siege of Limerick in 1690. It is through his wife’s lineage that the connection to the Chieftain O Malley was established with the Browne Family Line
From 1778 to 1858, Westport House as we know it today, took shape through several additions and changes which included the library, long gallery, large dining room and the marble staircase. Thus, it became a beautiful and elegant historical addition to the natural beauty of the estate and surrounding area
Speaking of the surrounding area, the estate itself retains nearly a 100 acres of historic woods dating back to the inception of the estate itself in the 18th Century. Scenic beauty during the summer and with vibrant colour in the autumn, the woodlands have many paths to explore, take in and wander though, providing a natural and regenerative escape from the current fast paced world we live in. One might even find a fairy house and path along the way…
One step inside the house and you can tell why it is still regarded as one of the most beautiful homes in the state as a whole
The Georgian style of the time coupled with the interior and complimented by the stunning views outside, really do open you up the scope of intent that the people who designed the estate and house strived to attain. Successfully so, I might add.
It is only in recent times that we, as members of the public had the chance to experience this place and its surrounds as the house and the estate were opened to the public in 1960 by the 11th Marquess of Sligo – Jeremy Browne
A fitting final act considering that the house and estate would eventually be sold to the Hughes Family in 2017, thus ending the Browne family legacy in terms of their ownership of Westport House and Estate and the influence they had on the locality as a whole
On My Way, Along Clew Bay…
Having taken in what Westport had to offer on that day, I decided to take a long stroll out of the estate and along Clew Bay. Catching my eye, a small very old boating house in the distance along with a small craft in the lake:
Strolling past that spot and out past Westport Quay. The weather was turning against me somewhat but with time short as well, I made for the final spot for my last photograph
Croagh Patrick
With only half a day left, weather and light against me – I made haste to a small vantage point near Rossmalley to get my final shot. While I couldn’t venture up, I still wanted to at least see over the bay, a famous and beautiful sight
This of course is Croagh Patrick. While somewhat secluded by low cloud cover (due to my usual luck), I was still able to get a spot overlooking Clew Bay and towards the mountain.
With the clouds rolling in, storm threatening – for a brief moment, light pierced through and illuminated parts of the sky and water below to really give a sense of scale and vibrancy to the scene. With monochrome filter – I was able to reproduce at least in contrast and latent detail, the dynamic beauty of the moment and the surround:
Reflection
Beauty, the West is. Time only, has and will touch it and change it. Man has barely done so nor can dream to ever match it
Another place of tranquil serenity in the blessed west of this fair isle. Its beauty took millennia to form to what it is today – sculpted and shaped by past glacial periods combined with our post glacial oceanic weather to this very day
For all the complaints of rain and wind that we Irish are renowned for – our climate and locale has certainly given back landscapes shaped in rugged beauty, filled with life: For us all to admire, to refresh, regenerate, appreciate and to share in
Gallery
Viewing Recommendation:
- Brightness Minimum: 400 nits
- Colour Profile: sRGB or Display P3
- Web Browser: Latest – Note: Gallery Photos open in new tab to prevent cropping
Photograph Information:
- Camera / Phone Used: Samsung Galaxy S10e
- Software Used: Luminar Neo
- Processing: Close to Original – Monochrome Filter / Dynamic Range Correction
- Colour Space: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 & Display P3 – 240 PPI 16 bit
- Format: JPEG on website. Lossless / Uncompressed available upon request
Related Links (2024 March):
