Hotel Newport - a Hotel in County Mayo, near Westport and Achill Island, Ireland

History

Newport History

This town was founded by the Medlycot landlords through their lessee, a Captain Pratt, in the early years of the 18th century. Some of the 18th century houses remain on Medlycot Street and their exposed stone facades testify to their great age. The site of the town was chosen by Captain Pratt because of its green field nature and its potential for shipping. Though subject to tidal influences, the quay can provide up to 4.5 metres of water, enough for 18th century trading ships of 500 tonnes or less.

The town prospered in the 18th century. Houses were built, churches flourished, and trade was brisk. The Society of Friends were among the first inhabitants, though no trace of them remains today. Catholics, Protestants, Presbyterians and Methodists all had churches in the town. In the mid 18th century, the Land Agent, James Moore, controlled the town and it’s hinterland. He was a successful business man who encouraged building and trade. Travel writer, Dr. Pococke, said in 1752 “The market of Newport consists of frieze, yarn and different sorts of corn, beef a penny, a goose for 6 pence and they have a merchant who imports very good French wine at £16 a hogs head.”

By the late 18th century the O’Donel family had acquired the Medlycot estate, and built Newport House, overlooking the harbour from the north side. Newport continued to develop. The 19th century saw the town and the surrounding district’s population explode to over 12,000 people - then disaster; the famine left a shattered community, emigration or starvation. Out of the disaster of famine one man began to develop trade and industry to sustain the town. Martin Carey began his career as a small trader and by the end of the century the Carey family had erected, or caused to be erected, many of the buildings that remain to this day, one such building is the grain drying store. A display of history and heritage is situated in the furnace room, whose arching walls were designed to spread the heat from the central fireplace, to dry the corn spread on the porous floor in the room above. The generosity of Martin Carey in the early years of the 20th century provided the town with it’s magnificently situated and exceptionally beautiful St. Patrick’s Church, Martin Carey provided over half the costs of the building, £10,000, in his will of 1910. The church was completed in 1918.

This essay was written by JPMcDermott of the Newport Historical Society from sources in the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland.

NEWPORT, or NEWPORT-PRATT, a market and post-town, in the parish and barony of Burrishoole, county of Mayo, and province of CHONNAUGHT, 5 1/2 miles (N. by W.) from Westport ( to which it has a sub-post-office), and 139 3/4 (W. by N.) from Dublin; containing 1235 inhabitants.

This town, which is situated at the extremity of Clew bay, was the original port of discharge for the county of Mayo; it is intersected by a fine river, which rises in Lough Beltra and falls into the bay; the river Burrishoole also flows through the parish, and both abound with excellent salmon, for taking which weirs are placed about half a mile above the town.

It consists of one principal street and several others, and contains about 230 houses, some of which are well built and of neat appearance. The trade formerly very extensive has, from the difficulty of communication with the interior, been in a great measure transferred to Westport, and at present consists principally in the export of grain, of which on average, 1000 tons are annually shipped to England.

The pier was erected at the expense of Sir R.A. O'Donel and some of the merchants of the town; the quays are extensive and commodious, and accessible to vessels of 200 tons' burden, which can be moored in safety alongside and take in or deliver their cargoes at all times of the tide, and within a few hundred yards may lie at anchor in perfect security. The channel is safe, and the harbour very commodious: the entrance into the bay, which is called Clew, Newport, or Westport bay, is spacious and direct; and within it are numerous islets and rocks, between which, on each side, are several good roadsteads, capable of accommodating large vessels, with good anchorage in from two to six fathoms.

The market is on Tuesday; and fairs are held on June 8th, Aug. 1st, Nov. 11th, and Dec.20th. A chief constabulary police force is stationed in the town; petty sessions are held every Tuesday, and a manorial court on the first Wednesday in every month. The court-house, in which the sessions are held, is a small neat building.

The parish church and a Roman Catholic chapel are situated in the town. In the vicinity is Newport House, the seat of Sir Richard Annesley O'Donel, Bart.

Three miles distant, on the sea shore, is Rockfleet Castle, a small square fortress, said to have been built by Grana-Uile, better known as Grace O'Malley, and celebrated for her maritime exploits; and about a mile to the south-east of the town is Carrickaneady, one of the castles said to have been built by the Burkes.

Article from Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary published in 1837.

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