Situated 50 miles west of Galway city on the N59 lies Clifden, the capital of Connemara. There are many reasons to visit Clifden on your travels, one of them being that this is the perfect base for the rest of your holiday. Founded at the beginning of the 19th Century by a local landlord, John D’Arcy, Clifden is rich in history. On June 15th 1919 Alcock and Brown made their pioneering transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Clifden and crash landed in a bog on the outskirts where a memorial 14ft monument can be found. Further along enroute to the village of Ballyconneely, there is some of the best beaches on the west coast of Ireland, the Coral Strand and Mannin Bay to name but a few. Approximately 5km from the village is the Connemara Golf Course, a superb 18 hole golf links, boasting fabulous, unspoilt views of the Atlantic Ocean and Slyne Head, the most westerly point in Ireland. Even the non golf enthusiasts include this trip in their plan to visit Clifden.
Continuing from Ballyconneely, eight miles along a coastal road, taking in spectacular Atlantic views on the way, is the fishing village of Roundstone. Translated from the Gaelic name of “Cloch Na Ron”, Roundstone hosts a variety of events throughout the summer months, now famous for its annual regatta and arts week, it also has its very own summerfest which takes place in August. There are many craft shops and art galleries showing the best of local talent. Roundstone has many traditional pubs and restaurants specialising in the “catch of the day” and an abundance of accommodation ranging from B & B 's and four star hotels to camping and caravan sites. As we leave picturesque Roundstone and return to visit Clifden, there is still much to see. Just off the coast, lies Mc Dara’s island, where, in the sixth century, a small stone church was built by St Mc Dara and today, many make an annual pilgrimage to celebrate his feast day in July.
Taking the famous Bog Road from Roundstone to Clifden is an adventure in itself. This is a stretch of road taking you through a conservation area of great natural beauty. Home to various birds and wildlife, this route may be best appreciated by cyclists.
Another good reason to visit Clifden is its many events and festivals which take place during the year and here are just a few:
- Clifden Heritage Weekend March 2010
- Connemara International Marathon 11th April, 2010
- Leenane Mountain Walking Festival 01/02nd May, 2010
- Clifden Pony Show August 2010
- Clifden Arts Week September 2010
For more information on these and other events visit Clifden Chamber
There are a wide selection of restaurants and bars and something to suit all budgets. In most of the bars, you will find Irish Music where you can join in and sing along with some of the best local musicians.