Newport, County Mayo
|
Newport Baile Uí Fhiacháin
|
|
|---|---|
| Town | |
View across the harbour of the town, 2007
|
|
 Newport
|
|
| Coordinates: 53°53′00″N 9°33′00″W / 53.8833°N 9.55°WCoordinates: 53°53′00″N 9°33′00″W / 53.8833°N 9.55°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Mayo |
| Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Urban | 727 |
| • Rural | 1,736 |
| Time zone | WET (UTC+0) |
| • Summer (DST) | IST (WEST) (UTC-1) |
| Irish grid reference | M989937 |
Newport, historically known as Ballyveaghan (Irish: Baile Uí Fhiacháin) - for many years the town was also known as Newport-Pratt - is a small town in the barony of Burrishoole, County Mayo, Ireland with a population of 590 in 2006. It is located on the west coast of Ireland, along the shore of Clew Bay, north of Westport. The N59 road passes through the town. The county town of Castlebar is approx 18 km east of Newport. The Black Oak River flows through the centre of the town and there are walking paths along its banks.
Bus Éireann route 440, via Westport and Ireland West Airport Knock, operates once a day in each direction. On Sundays route 440 does not operate however Expressway route 52 provides an evening journey each way to/from Westport and Galway.
The nearest rail services may be accessed at Westport railway station approximately 14 km distant. There are several trains a day from Westport railway station to Heuston railway station via Athlone.
Newport was established in the early 18th century by the Medlycott family. James Moore, working for the Medlycott Estate, designed the quay at Newport in a formal layout. The Medlycott family's land agent was a Captain Pratt. Pratt introduced linen manufacturing to the town under the management of immigrant Quakers who relocated to County Mayo from Ulster. It would appear that, although the immigrant Quakers found living conditions in Mayo difficult, the linen industry picked up in the mid-18th century and for the next forty years or so the town prospered around the industry. By the early 19th century it again fell into decline, and it was superseded as a port by the town of Westport seven miles to the south. At the end of the 18th century, the Medlycott Estate was taken over by the O'Donel family who built Newport House, now a hotel, overlooking the harbour.
...
Wikipedia