Heritage Trail | NEWPORT HOUSE
A unique opportunity to experience the elegance and hospitality of an historic Irish Country House Hotel.
Historic Irish Country House
Newport provides guests with a unique opportunity to experience the elegance and hospitality of an historic Irish Country House Hotel, with luxury guest accommodation ideal for an overnight stay or longer sojourn.
The O'Donel family
For 200 years this country estate was home to the O'Donel family, descended from the fighting Earls of Tyrconnell and cousins of the famous 'Red Hugh' of Irish history. They were transplanted from Ulster to Mayo by Oliver Cromwell.
Famous as a fishing centre
Newport House is famous as a fishing centre and holds the fishing rights to the internationally renowned Newport River (fly fishing only) with 8 miles of river (both banks) and Lough Beltra West - 3 miles by 1 mile.
Spring Salmon
The fishery holds a healthy stock of Spring Salmon, Grilse and still some Seatrout and all fish are wild. It is one of the few fisheries in Ireland where Spring Salmon can be fished from a boat.
'Battle Book of the O'Donels'
During the first half of the Nineteenth Century the Cathach, the 'Battle Book of the O'Donels' was kept in Newport House. Part of a copy of the Book of Psalms dating from abut 560 AD, it is believed to be the actual handiwork of St Columcille - Columba of Iona - who was himself a prince of the O'Donels; its name derives from the legend that when carried into battle it brought victory to this family. In 1691 an O'Donel who had fought at Limerick took it with him into exile in France, and a century later it was found and brought back to Sir Neal O'Donel of Newport. His grandson deposited it in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.
- Contact | Catherine - Phone | 098 41222
- Web | www.newporthouse.ie