Westport House, Co Mayo, is currently on the market by private treaty.

Set on 455 acres, this sprawling estate is situated on the outskirts of Westport town and, as locals are only too aware, it forms an integral component of the thriving tourism industry for the region which takes in the 42km Great Western Greenway (the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in the country) and the 2,500km Wild Athlantic Way coastal driving, route which goes from the Inishowen Peninsula all the way to Kinsale, Co Cork.

Thus, it wasn’t surprising that these attractions, coupled with the stunning scenery associated with Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, contributed to the town of Westport being voted the Irish Times Best Place to Live in Ireland in 2012.

Set on the banks of the Carrowbeg River, Westport House has been in the Browne family (formerly of Sussex, England) for the last five centuries and comes with a huge historic element that dates back to Grace O’Malley, Queen of Connacht. The original house was built over a four-year period from 1679 to 1683, with additions such as the south wing and north wing made throughout the 18th and 19th centuries by various family members. Built from limestone taken from the farm quarry, the later additions to Westport House were designed by Richard Cassels who also designed Carton House, Russborough House and Leinster House. It was later completed by the English architect James Wyatt, who also designed the layout of Westport town – one of the first planned towns in Ireland.

Open to the public since 1960, Westport House has welcomed over four million visitors from all over the world. Apart from the historic element, it has been developed into one of Ireland’s best-loved family destinations with its pirate adventure park that incorporates karting, archery, express train rides, canoeing and tree climbing. Visitors can also take advantage of the fully serviced caravan and tent park, pretty picnic areas and extensive woodland walks that take in the weir, the lake and the Carrowbeg river.

Maintained to a high standard, Westport House was re-roofed four years ago and is currently home to a number of exhibitions, including the waxwork exhibition, the Grace O’Malley exhibition and the Howe Peter exhibition.

Comprising two storeys over basement and with two bay wings, features include mahogany doors, stained glass windows, an imperial marble staircase, Chinese hand-painted wall paper in the bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, parquet floors and Cassels fireplaces.

Accommodation includes five reception rooms, two libraries, gallery, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor with 10 bedrooms, three dressing rooms and eight bathrooms on the first floor. The basement or lower ground floor contains the servant’s quarters, a wine cellar, pantry, three reception rooms and a dungeon with a further rooms found in the attic.

Furthermore, the north wing contains a two-bedroom and a one-bedroom apartment, while the south wing also has as a two-bedroom apartment and an activity room.

Apart from the mansion and its ancillary buildings, there is a plethora of additional accommodation, extending to nine other apartments /guest houses. These include a five-bed coach house, a three-bed apartment, a two-bed apartment, a farm manager’s house, three cottages, a four-bed orchard cottage and a three-bed gate lodge.

Used over the years for meadowing and to graze cattle and sheep, the land is split by a country road, with 142 acres situated directly across from the house and courtyard on 313 acres. The majority of the land is in permanent pasture with pockets of mature parkland and ancient woodland found throughout the estate.

Dating back to 1818, the beautiful stone courtyard is believed to be the largest of its kind in Europe. Fully intact and in excellent order, this yard has been converted to meet the needs of the existing business and currently accommodates a number of offices including a ticket booth, a restaurant, bar, large function area, gift shop and play area. There is also extensive walled gardens that contain the original smoke houses and the remnants of the Victorian greenhouse while the west facing sunny gardens have the most spectacular views of Clew Bay and Clare Island which are flanked by Croagh Patrick in the background.

For sale by Robert Ganly from Ganly Walters, Dublin, this historic estate is being offered as a going concern at a guide price in the region of €10m. The agent is eager to find a buyer who would be willing to continue the business and maintain Westport House as one of the leading tourist destinations west of the Shannon.

Interest has been expressed from all over the world but only time will tell if this wonderful landmark will continue as a key tourist attraction for the west.