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| WESTPORT, COUNTY MAYO. -This pretty sea-bathing resort is the most important town on the charming shores of picturesque Clew Bay-in whose waters Ireland's noble apostle, St. Patrick, often bathed, fourteen centuries ago. Everything around Clew Bay seems to recall the great Gallic missionary, who accomplished in his lifetime the conversion of an entire nation from paganism to Christianity. Above Westport, like a giant guardian, towers Croagh Patrick, which has been depicted in another sketch, and thousands of Mayo and Galway people still make yearly pilgrimages to the summit of that grand mountain, where, it is said, the prints of St. Patrick's knees are still visable in the rock. We cannot vouch for the accuracy of this tradition, but the Irish are, naturally, both spiritual and romantic and love to cherish every natural, and supernatural, circumstance that forms a link with the stormy past. The town of Westport nestles in a lovely glen, and is situated near the mouth of the Bay, about thirty-five miles north-northwest of the city of Galway. Not many years ago, it was the local centre of the flax industry, and did a lively business in the line of fine linens; but outside competition, low prices and general depression discouraged the manufacturers, and Westport's main traffic today is in agricultural and piscatory products. It is also a favorite resort for tourists from all parts of the world, as it is, truly, one of the most desirable summer resorts in Europe. |
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