The best of what Ireland has to offer families was revealed this week with the announcement of the 2015 Primary Times STAR Awards, and for the fifth year in a row, Westport House has been honoured with an award. Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park was voted as Best Family Visitor Attraction (West ) for the fourth year, and its ghoulishly good Halloween Fest event was awarded the Best Halloween Event (West ) for the second time. The results of these unique awards, which attract thousands of entries from parents, provide a vital snapshot of what is tops with families in Ireland.
Sheelyn Browne, joint managing director of Westport House, was delighted with the award and said: “Knowing that these two prestigious awards were voted by parents is testimony to the fantastic family experience that Westport House offers all year long and we are honoured that our customers thought so highly of their visit. Time and again, our fantastic team of staff go above and beyond in helping create magical family memories for our visitors so we extend a big thank you to them. And we are also delighted to congratulate Hotel Westport, our neighbours, on their inclusion – again - as one of the Top 10 Family Hotels in Ireland.”
The beautiful historic house and its stunning interiors are complemented by equally gorgeous woods, lake, and parkland. Visitors love the story of the survival of the house - and the family who built and still own it - going back as far as Grace O’Malley, the 16th century Pirate Queen. The aptly-named Pirate Adventure Park is perfectly suited to children under 12 years. It will leave them screaming for more with rides, slides, boats, trains, go karting, bouncy castles, as well as playgrounds and soft-play. Adventurers from eight years upwards will enjoy zorbing, zip wires, high ropes, archery and laser combat games, while the three star caravan and camping park and the Westport train tour continue to deliver on its motto of being the “home of family fun”.
Always innovating, Westport House has not rested on its laurels in 2015. New this year, Westport House has had added a 19th century carousel, helter skelter, and chair-o-planes for the little ones, as well as offering bell tents to hire for hassle-free camping. The bungee-like sky trek and drop is new for adventurers this year and the Westport Train Tour extended its route this year to loop Westport town. And this summer, the first Hooley at the House concert will take place on Sunday August 30.
