FOR HUNDREDS of Mayo kids, Westport House is a fond relic of their childhood.
The owners of the historic country house are currently locked in a battle to keep it open to the public after it went into administration.
It’d be a sad day for the county were it to close – because be it on a school tour or a family trip, almost everyone has memories of the big house.
1. You could only stand and peer in at the rooms from the hallway
The precious antiques and fine furniture were not for children’s grubby little paws.
2. But you did learn all about the toilet habits of the gentry
Chamber pots! *snigger*
3. And you were more than welcome to go down to the terrifying dungeons
Dark, dank, accessed through a glorified gap in the wall.
4. With their terrifying decorations
This writer has a distinct memory of a gigantic model spider glimpsed lurking in a darkened corner. Like, how DARE you, Westport House.
5. And the terrifying mascot
Pinkie the rabbit – if you went to the House, you probably have a picture of yourself standing nervously beside him somewhere at home. State of him.
6. Racing on the Slippery Dip could get highly competitive
It’s now called the Cannon Ball Run Slide, but we veterans know the truth.
7. And the animatronic monkeys at Monkey Junction were considered to be highly sophisticated technology
Ah, the Westport House Express!
Look, we’re not going to say the puppets and loud monkey noises didn’t terrify us too. Because they did.
8. But the log flume was a GAME CHANGER
Mayo had never seen the like! Westport House was practically Disneyland!
9. When you were a bit older, you could head off for yourself on a swan pedalo
Don’t need no chaperone.
10. And even now, the big house still looks so impressive
Take us back :’)
