Clifden

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Clifden is a small town in the north west of the County Galway in West Ireland. It is a local hub of commerce for Connemara, and retains a lot of authenticity despite it being bombarded by tourists in the summer. It has numerous hotels, pubs and restaurants, as well as good bus routes to Galway, and local villages. This makes it quite a good starting point for an exploration of the surrounding areas.

Get in

By car

Clifden is accessible via the N59 from either Westport to the north west, or Galway to the south east. It is part of the Wild Atlantic Way.

By bus

Bus Eireann and Citylink provide daily coach services between Clifden, Galway, Shannon Airport, Dublin city and Dublin Airport.

Get around

Clifden Town is accessible around by foot.
Citylink and Bus Eireann provide daily bus services to Galway City.
There are also taxis and hackneys available locally for private hire.

See

Take the Beach Road and do a beautiful walk passing Clifden Bay, the beach and D'Arcy's castle and take a trip to the old Marconi Station and Alcock and Browne historical Monument sites.

Derrygimla Bog

address: Ballyconeely
Site of the Alcock & Brown trans Atlantic landing. On Sunday June 14th 1919, the first transatlantic flight ended in the Derrygimla Bog, about two miles from Ballyconneely Village. Capt. John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown had flown their Vickers Vimy plane from Newfoundland, Canada, in just over sixteen hours. Alcock and Brown, both British, experienced extreme flying conditions - fog, drizzle and a broken radio.

Tourist Attractions in Clifden outlines major attractions and activities in Clifden. Also details the islands of the coast of Clifden.

Do

Outdoor Activities: John Ryan fishing tours and Mannions Cycling for scenic cycle routes.

Clifden Boat Club

address: Beach Rd
Offers Sailing lessons during the summer, also a small friendly bar restaurant offering good food and craic.

Eat

Vicker's Restaurant
Mitchell's Restaurant

phone: +353 95 21867

address: Market St

Drink

Mullarkeys

phone: +353 95 21801
Bar with plenty of live music.
Mannions Bar

phone: +353 95 21780

address: Market St
Great food, early and late music sessions.
Guys Bar & Snug

phone: +353 95 21130

address: Main St
Great food, early and late music sessions.

Sleep

Hotel

Alcock & Brown Hotel

phone: +353 95 21880

address: Town Square
Family run hotel in the centre of town. Very popular restaurant.
Foyle's Hotel

phone: +353 95 21801

address: Main St

Bed & Breakfast

Buttermilk Lodge

phone: +353 95 21951

address: Westport Rd
Family run Bed & Breakfast close to the centre of town.
Kingstown House B&B

phone: +353 95 21470

address: Bridge St
Ben View House B&B

phone: +353 95 21256

address: Bridge St

Hostel

Clifden Town Hostel

phone: +353 95 21076

address: Market St
Brookside Hostel
Ben Lettery Hostel

phone: +353 95 51136
This HI/YHA hostel is situated in an ideal location right in the mountains of Connemara. It serves as a good base for hikes in the region, including that around the 12 Bens.

Splurge

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

phone: +353 95 21201

address: Sky Rd
Self catering- Connemara Rentals

address: Church Hill
A collection of really nice and unique holiday homes available to rent on a self catering basis on the edge of town.

Go next

Ballyconneely: Connemara Golf links.
Dun Gibbons Walking Centre: Twelve Bens hill walking.