It’s another beautiful day in Westport, County Mayo! Clare Island is clearly guarding the Bay, and the ravens are at their posts on the street lights. Croagh Patrick is at his appointed distance, and Westport House is standing proud and bright.
In the center of town, all is well and bright, too. Westport has won numerous competitions for community beautification.[1] They were awarded a sculpture for their many honors, and it sits on the Fair Green overlooking the canal and bridges of the mall. (Yes, that’s Paddington resting on the bench.)
Westport, and Ireland in general, is very environment-conscious. This sculpture and its engravings signify growth and vitality, interconnectedness, and the living world.[1]
Take your bag with you for your shopping. Everyone – and I mean everyone – wipes their feet on the mat before entering a building. Gift wrap is compostable. Trees are being planted and areas with trees are being preserved, with some development projects designed around them. The west of Ireland is truly beautiful with a European feeling of graciousness and design.
[1] https://www.shanehollandart.com/publicsculpture