Official Opening of Westport Coast Guard Station

Sunday 8 March 2026

A new, purpose-built Coast Guard station has officially opened its doors in Westport, County Mayo. This significant development was inaugurated by the Minister of State with special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, Seán Canney TD, along with the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin Boxer Moran.

Westport Coast Guard unit members outside the new state of the art €6.8m purpose-built station. Photo Credit: RTE

The project, which cost €6.8 million, was a part of the Irish Coast Guard Building Programme. It stands as a substantial milestone in the ongoing enhancement of Ireland's national search and rescue infrastructure. The site for this new facility was secured through the efforts of Mayo County Council and is located within the Clew Bay Complex Special Area of Conservation.

During the opening ceremony, Minister Canney emphasized the importance of the facility in bolstering the Westport Unit’s operational capacity. He acknowledged the tireless efforts of the unit's volunteers who often work under challenging conditions to ensure the safety of lives along the coast and inland waterways. Minister Canney remarked, "Today’s opening reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Irish Coast Guard has the modern infrastructure it needs to carry out its critical work."

The project was managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of the Department of Transport. OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran highlighted the importance of the facility in equipping the Irish Coast Guard with the necessary infrastructure to perform its critical functions. Minister Moran praised the dedication of the volunteers, stating, "The dedication of the volunteers who regularly face challenging conditions to protect lives along our coast and inland waterways is truly exceptional."

The new station is set to significantly enhance volunteer welfare and improve local emergency response capabilities. It will support the Coast Guard’s mission to provide effective maritime and coastal search and rescue services in the region.

The Westport Coast Guard Unit has a long-standing history, having been established more than 20 years ago. The service comprises 28 highly trained volunteer members who offer round-the-clock water and land-based search and rescue services across a vast area from Killary Harbour to Mulranny.