Mid-week Break Wyatt Hotel, Westport.
I was fortunate to have won a mid-week break in a draw among the Branch Secretaries of RTAI in September to the Wyatt Hotel – a haven of peace and tranquility in The Octagon, Westport. The dedicated, courteous staff under the management of Barney Clarke ensured that our stay was most enjoyable and relaxing. After a champagne reception we were served a delicious 4course meal in the dining room whose walls are adorned by a fantastic collection of art works.
Members of our group: Seamus Mc Tague, Inishowen, Freda Salter- Townsend, Iarchorcaí, Michael Hickey, Offaly and Eileen M
c Manus, Dublin, were given a talk and conducted tour of Westport with Bronagh Joyce who regaled us with stories of Gráinne Mhaol. The high light of the tour was a visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity (1872). The stone carvings on the doorway are magnificent, the marble of the spacious sanctuary is from Carrara and the mosaics and murals were the work of craftsmen from Italy. The pulpit is carved from alabaster that was part of the cargo of a ship that was wrecked off Clew Bay and washed up on the lands of the Sligo Estate. It has also five stained glass windows – truly magnificent and well worth seeing.
c Manus, Dublin, were given a talk and conducted tour of Westport with Bronagh Joyce who regaled us with stories of Gráinne Mhaol. The high light of the tour was a visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity (1872). The stone carvings on the doorway are magnificent, the marble of the spacious sanctuary is from Carrara and the mosaics and murals were the work of craftsmen from Italy. The pulpit is carved from alabaster that was part of the cargo of a ship that was wrecked off Clew Bay and washed up on the lands of the Sligo Estate. It has also five stained glass windows – truly magnificent and well worth seeing.
We were also given a conducted tour of Westport House and an insight into 500 years of history of the Browne Family and the house with 30 rooms on show displaying original art works, antiques and architecture. Built in 1730 on the ruins of the 16th century castle of legendary Irish Pirate Queen, Gráinne Mhaol. The house is still home to her direct descendants the Brownes. The house is open to the public all year round except January and February – it is well worth a visit. We were served tea and coffee in one of the magnificent rooms.
To complete our perfect stay in such idyllic surroundings we attended “The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol Traditional Music Show”. Pirate, chieftain, lover and mother Gráinne Mhaol (1530-1603) was one of the last Irish Clan leaders to resist the English conquest of Gaelic Ireland. She lived during times of continuous feuding, piracy, sea-battles and land
grabbing. Gráinne Mhaol had several castles in the West of Ireland and it was on the foundations of one of these that Westport House was actually built. There is still a trace of her original castle in the basement of the house (The Dungeons) to this day.
grabbing. Gráinne Mhaol had several castles in the West of Ireland and it was on the foundations of one of these that Westport House was actually built. There is still a trace of her original castle in the basement of the house (The Dungeons) to this day.
The show was most enjoyable full of energy and enthusiasm which blended the old and the new, the ancient and the contemporary, the Sean Nós dance against the more modern steps and styles of Irish dancing. All the talented musicians, dancers and singers came form the west of Ireland – it was rated on RTE radio as “ One of the best Summer Shows in Ireland”.
This was a fantastic mid-week break sponsored by the Wyatt Hotel for our members. They treated us like royalty attending to our every need. You too can enjoy such a stay for 45euro 1D BB p.p.s. (until Dec. 2011). Call Annette 09825027 and quote Ref. No. RTA 0711 to avail of this discounted rate.
You won’t be disappointed.
Mary Kyne (Galway Branch)