- Matt Molloy’s (Westport): A world-famous traditional pub on Bridge Street, owned by Matt Molloy, flautist of The Chieftains. Renowned for nightly traditional music sessions, a cozy interior with music memorabilia, and a lively back room for performances. Its Instagram fame (2,114 posts) reflects its cultural status. Expect a packed, music-driven atmosphere with superb trad sessions and great Guinness. Arrive early for a seat, as it’s small and popular with tourists and locals. Ideal for music lovers, though it can feel crowded.
- The Irish House (Castlebar): An award-winning traditional pub on Main Street in Castlebar, Mayo’s county town. Known for its cozy, old-world decor with antiques, an open fire, and a mezzanine pool table. Offers all-weather outdoor seating, major sports screenings, and hearty pub grub like chicken toasties. Voted home to the “best pint in the west.” Visitors can enjoy a welcoming vibe, excellent pints, and a mix of locals and visitors. Perfect for a relaxed pint or sports viewing, with a family-friendly feel during the day.
- The Porter House (Westport): A traditional pub on John’s Row, Westport, known for its warm hospitality and music. Features live trad music, a cozy interior, and a reputation for friendly service. Popular for its authentic atmosphere and great pints, as noted in Yelp reviews. Expect a lively, traditional pub with music and a welcoming crowd. Ideal for a night of craic, though it can be busy during Westport’s festival season.
- Rouse’s Bar (Ballina): A classic Irish pub on Tone Street, Ballina, epitomizing traditional charm. Hosts a cozy interior, friendly bartenders, and live music, creating a warm, welcoming spirit. Offers a wide range of beers and an authentic experience, as praised by Tripadvisor reviewers. Visitors can enjoy a homey atmosphere, great pints, and music sessions. Perfect for a relaxed evening, with locals making you feel like a regular.
- The Helm Bar (Westport): A nautical-themed pub and restaurant on The Quay, Westport, overlooking Clew Bay. Known for its fresh seafood, local craft beers, and stunning bay views. Offers live music and a vibrant atmosphere, ideal for coastal dining. Expect delicious seafood (mains €15–€25), great drinks, and a scenic setting. Great for a meal after exploring the Great Western Greenway, though it’s busy in summer.
- Crockets on the Quay (Ballina): A gastropub on The Quay, Ballina, known for its riverside location and quality food. Offers a menu of local seafood and pub classics, with a spacious beer garden and live music. Its Moy River setting adds charm, as listed on travelireland.org. Visitors can enjoy hearty meals (mains €12–€20), a lively vibe, and river views. Ideal for a family-friendly meal or music night, with outdoor seating in summer.
- Henehan’s Bar and Beer Garden (Westport): A traditional pub on Bridge Street, Westport, with a large outdoor area. Known for its spacious beer garden, live music, and cozy interior. Offers pub grub and a welcoming atmosphere, popular with locals and visitors. Expect a friendly pub with good pints and music, perfect for a sunny beer garden visit. Great for groups, though it can be lively during events.
- McGing’s Pub (Westport): A traditional pub on High Street, Westport, steeped in local history. Features a cozy, old-world interior, great Guinness, and occasional trad sessions. Known for its authentic vibe and friendly staff, as noted in Yelp reviews. Visitors can enjoy a classic Irish pub with a local feel and excellent pints. Ideal for a quiet drink or music night, less touristy than Matt Molloy’s.
- Moran’s (Westport): A traditional pub on Bridge Street, Westport, run by the Moran family. Offers a cozy, authentic atmosphere with friendly service, as locals became “instant friends” for Tripadvisor reviewers. Known for great pints and a welcoming vibe. Expect a warm, no-frills pub with superb Guinness and a community feel. Perfect for a relaxed pint, ideal for those seeking the “soul of Ireland.”
- The Broken Jug (Ballina): A gastropub on Tone Street, Ballina, known for its modern dining and cozy setting. Offers fresh, local dishes like fish and lamb, with a stylish interior and friendly service. Praised on Tripadvisor for its fantastic food and staff. Visitors can enjoy high-quality meals (mains €15–€22) and a welcoming vibe. Great for a family meal or date night near the Moy River.
- JJ O’Malleys (Westport): A traditional pub and restaurant on Bridge Street, Westport, known for its food and music. Features live trad sessions, a menu of Irish classics, and a cozy atmosphere. Popular with tourists for its authentic experience . Expect a lively pub with good food (mains €12–€18) and music. Ideal for a night out, though it can be crowded during peak season.
- The Clock Tavern (Westport): A historic pub on High Street, Westport, blending tradition with a lively vibe. Known for its 1930s decor with railway references, non-traditional live music, and great beer selection. Attracts a mix of ages and nationalities, per Tripadvisor. Visitors can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere, unique decor, and music. Perfect for a fun evening, with a less traditional feel than Matt Molloy’s.
- An File Bar (Westport): A cozy traditional pub on The Octagon, Westport, known for its music and charm. Offers live trad sessions, a warm fireplace, and a reputation for authentic hospitality. Praised for its relaxed, traditional interior on Yelp. Expect an intimate pub with great music and Guinness. Ideal for trad fans seeking a cozy, less touristy spot, though it’s small.
- The Irish Bar (Cong): A traditional pub in Cong, near Lough Corrib, featured in The Quiet Man tourism. Known for its connection to the film, cozy interior, and live music. Offers pub grub and a welcoming vibe, ideal for visitors exploring Cong’s history. Visitors can enjoy a historic pub with decent food and a friendly atmosphere. Great for a pint after visiting Cong Abbey, with a touristy but charming feel.
- Hoban’s Pub (Westport): A traditional pub on The Octagon, Westport, known for its local charm. Features a cozy setting, great Guinness, and occasional music sessions. Popular with locals for its unpretentious vibe, as noted in Yelp reviews. Expect a warm, authentic pub with excellent pints and a community feel. Ideal for a quiet drink or local banter, less crowded than bigger venues.
Pubs
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Mayo:
Ireland’s county Mayo offers dramatic scenery and ancient heritage, with the Cliffs of Moher’s rugged beauty and Croagh Patrick’s pilgrimage trail providing stunning vistas. The town of Westport features Georgian architecture and access to Clew Bay’s islands, while the Ceide Fields showcase a prehistoric farming landscape. Other attractions include the celebrity beaches of Achill Island. Mayo is Ireland’s third largest county by size (5,398 square km) and 18th largest by population (137,970). Population peaked at 388,887 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 109,525 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Mayo is Ireland’s tenth most visited tourist county with around 218,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
