Iconic Westport restaurant to become private home

THE iconic Quay Cottage at Westport Quay is set for future use as a private residence.

An application for a change of use from restaurant back into a single private residence property, with internal renovations and a first floor extension, has been approved by Mayo County Council.

Documentation submitted to the council sets out how the Quay Cottage was once residential and subsequently operated as a successful restaurant in the 1980s and '90s.

However, Westport's thriving tourist industry culminated in numerous restaurants in the town and the adjacent apartment complex created parking issues for the restaurant, which made it difficult to operate successfully.

The applicant, Vincent Hughes, proposes to convert the property back into a four-bedroom single family residence.

The Quay Cottage started life as a workers cottage, most likely built by Westport House estate and considered part of the Demesne.

It was in residential use up until 1985.

The front facade of the property is protected.