Clifden Castle
Explore castle ruins on the Sky Road in Clifden
Clifden Castle (Caislean an Clochán) was built in 1812 by John D’Arcy (1785 – 1839), who was the founder of Clifden Town and which is now the capital of the Connemara region of Galway. The estate of Clifden Castle originally covered over 17,000 acres. However, these lands which had been owned by the D’Arcy family for over 150 years, were lost to the family in the mid-1800’s when the family became bankrupt as a result of debts incurred during the Great Potato Famine.
The castle has changed hands many times over the years and the land around it has been divided up and sold leading Clifden Castle to fall into ruin in the latter part of the 19th Century. The present day castle has only the stone shell remaining and is partly overgrown with thick ivy.
The castle was built in a a Gothic Revival style and is accessed through a gateway arch from the Sky Road leading out about 2 ½ Kms west from Clifden. Follow a rough winding trail down to the castle passing five standing stones along the way. Standing stones are a prehistoric relic from ancient Ireland and it is believed that there were used as places rituals and other ceremonies. However D’Arcy had these stones erected as decoration to imitate ancient standing stones which feature throughout Ireland.
Location, parking and getting to up to the castle
You’ll find Clifden Castle at the start of the wonderfully scenic Sky Road, 2.5kms west from Clifden town. The Sky Road is quite narrow though, with no walking or cycling path other than making your way on the road. Therefore Clifden Castle has very limited places to park. As you make your way along the Sky Road, keep an eye out for the original castle gate with its large stone archway with two towers which is hard to miss. Here you’ll find a small area to pull in with spaces for about 4 cars. From here take a short stroll to through the castle gates and follow the old winding country road where you’ll also pass mock standing stones that John D’Arcy, built as a legacy for his family.
Clifden Castle: What to expect
Clifden Castle Map
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