Clifden (An Clochán in Irish) is a town on the coast of County Galway, Ireland. It is located on the Owenglin River where it flows into Clifden Bay. The town is linked to Galway city by the N59. Clifden is a popular tourist destination for those touring Connemara and regarded as its capital.
History
The town was founded at the start of the 19th Centuryby John D'Arcy who lived in Clifden Castle now a ruin, it can be seen from the Sky Road west of Clifden.
Clifden is near the landing place (53°26′ N 10°01′ W) of the first transatlantic flight by Alcock and Brown in 1919. The plane crashed-landed in Derrygimlagh bog, close to the location of the Marconi transatlantic wireless telegraphy station.
Access
Road
Clifden can be reached from Galway (49 miles) or Westport (41 miles) by the N59 road which passes through the town.
Coach
Regular coach services are provided by Bus Eireann (091-562000) and Michael Nee (095-51082), connecting Clifden with Galway city.
Events
- Connemara Pony Show organized by the Connemara Pony Breeders Society on third Thursday in August since 1924.
- Clifden Community Arts Week in late Septmeber offers poetry reading, lectures, recitals and traditional music. First started by teachers in Clifden Community School in 1979 to bring creative arts into the classroom.
- Omey Races horse racing on the beach.
- Clifden Regatta
Local Area
- Twelve Bens
- Connemara National Park
- Kylemore Abbey a neo-gothic large country house built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry , in memory of his wife Margaret. Purchased by Benedictine nuns in 1920.
- Ballynahinch Castle sporting estate of the Martin family one of whose better known members, is ' Humanity Dick' founder of the RSPCA.
- Sky Road a 7 mile drive along Clifden Bay and Streamstown Bay rising 500ft above sea level, west of Clifden with views of Atlantic, Clifden Castle, coast-guard station, the islands of Inishturk and Turbot and the town.
- Derrygimlagh Bog natural wilderness 4 miles south of Clifden.
- lnishbofin
- Slyne Head
See also
Ballyconneely
News media
External links
