WESTPORT EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Book the Boat: 90 Minutes of Private Cruise, Finger Food and Live Music on Clew Bay
A 90-minute private hire aboard Westport Cruises' 50-passenger vessel with exclusive use, staffed bar & café, two finger-food menu options and optional live entertainment—this guide explains what’s included and how to plan.
Book the Boat: 90 Minutes of Private Cruise, Finger Food and Live Music on Clew Bay.
Set out from Westport on a 90-minute private hire aboard a 50‑passenger ship, where exclusive use of the vessel, a fully staffed bar and café, a choice of two finger‑food menus and optional live entertainment combine with local stories of harbour history and Clew Bay scenery.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Your Own 50‑Passenger Ship
The booking gives your party exclusive use of the vessel with crew only otherwise onboard, onboard toilets and a fully staffed bar and café included in the hire.
Two Finger‑Food Menus and a Full Bar
Choose between two included finger‑food menus (one with coronation chicken, smoked salmon and ciabatta options; another with sandwiches, tortilla chips, cocktail sausages and wedges) while the bar serves Guinness, beers, ciders, wines, spirits and prosecco.
Stories, Seals and Islands
Onboard commentary (optional) guides you from the harbour past the Clew Bay seal colony and John Lennon’s Island while recounting local history from Grace O’Malley to St. Patrick and Croagh Patrick.
What the day feels like
What the Private Cruise Feels Like
The flow is simple and social: guests board for an exclusive 90‑minute hire, choose music via an entertainment tablet or add live entertainment for an extra fee, enjoy finger food and drinks from the staffed bar, and listen to local commentary as the vessel reaches the furthest point of the trip before returning to the harbour.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this private hire suits—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Exclusive use of the ship, choice of two finger‑food menus, fully staffed bar & café, onboard music streaming via an entertainment tablet, optional live commentary and onboard toilets are included in the hire.
Finger‑food menus include options such as coronation chicken wraps, smoked salmon on brown bread and a selection of sandwiches, or a second option with chips, cocktail sausages and chicken goujons; the bar serves Guinness, beers, ciders, wines, spirits and prosecco; tea and coffee are provided.
An entertainment tablet that streams music ship‑wide is provided as standard; live entertainment (traditional music, DJ or live musician) can be added for an extra €150.
Free parking is available; taxi pick‑up and drop‑off are not provided by the operator. Once payment is completed the boat is reserved and you receive an immediate confirmation email; the operator will follow up to finalise details and can be contacted by phone.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the private booking last?
The standard private booking lasts 90 minutes; it can be lengthened for a small additional cost.
How big or small does the group have to be?
The vessel’s maximum capacity is 50 (previously reduced to 35 during Covid restrictions); you can bring up to the maximum. Headline material also notes a minimum expectation for some bookings.
What kind of music is provided as standard?
A wireless entertainment tablet is provided that streams music ship‑wide through licensed apps and can direct sound to upper deck, lower deck or both.
What does exclusive use of the vessel mean?
Exclusive use means your party has the vessel entirely to yourselves; the only other people onboard will be crew.
What happens if the weather is poor—will the sailing be cancelled?
About 98% of sailings proceed; wind is the primary element that would stop operation and the operator monitors conditions in advance.
Will I get a refund if the sailing is cancelled?
Yes. If the operator cancels the sailing you will receive a 100% refund.