Westport’s unique status as a planned town sets it apart from many other Irish towns, which typically evolved more organically over centuries. The town’s design dates back to the late 18th century, when John Browne, the 1st Earl of Altamont and owner of the grand Westport House estate, commissioned James Wyatt, a well-known British architect, to redesign the town in a way that complemented the estate.

1. The Planned Design

• Wyatt laid out Westport with a clear and thoughtful design, which included Georgian architecture, open spaces, and tree-lined promenades. This gave Westport its distinctive charm, with orderly streets and an elegant atmosphere that you don’t find in most other Irish towns.
• The town is bisected by the Carrowbeg River, and Wyatt designed graceful stone bridges that cross the river, as well as the charming Mall, a tree-lined promenade that runs alongside it. The river and its surrounding promenades add to the town’s beauty, providing a serene place for both locals and visitors to stroll.
• The streets radiate outward from the central axis, creating a sense of order and spaciousness. The layout is particularly praised for its aesthetic balance, with the town's urban design blending naturally into the surrounding rural landscape, a hallmark of great Georgian town planning.

2. The Connection to Westport House

• The redesign of the town was also done to enhance the view of Westport House, the ancestral home of the Browne family. Westport House, one of Ireland’s finest stately homes, was built on the site of a former O’Malley castle (linked to the famous pirate queen Grace O’Malley, the Earl's ancestor).
• Westport House is surrounded by a stunning parkland estate that was also carefully landscaped to be in harmony with the town. Visitors today can still explore the house, its gardens, and the surrounding woodlands.
• The redesign of the town was not just about beauty, though—it was also a way to encourage better living conditions for the local population. Prior to the redesign, the town of Westport was originally a small village known as Cathair na Mart, and it was considered a cramped and unhealthy settlement. The new planned town was seen as a significant improvement for both the tenants and the community.

3. A Rare Example in Ireland

• Westport’s planned nature makes it stand out among Irish towns, as most towns in Ireland grew more organically, shaped by medieval or even ancient layouts. Westport, with its planned streets and Georgian squares, is one of the few towns in Ireland with such deliberate urban design.
• The town has won several awards for its beauty and organization, including the prestigious Tidy Towns Award (multiple times), which celebrates towns and villages across Ireland for their cleanliness and environmental care.

4. A Lasting Legacy

• The thoughtfulness of Westport’s design is still evident today, as it has maintained much of its original Georgian architecture and layout. This makes it not only a functional town but also a town that offers visitors an immersive experience in 18th-century planning principles.

This planned layout, with its connection to Westport House, gives the town a refined elegance that many visitors appreciate, alongside its natural beauty and vibrant cultural scene. The mix of history, thoughtful design, and scenic surroundings make Westport a unique and attractive destination on Ireland’s west coast.