The Marconi Station

Site of the world’s first transatlantic wireless service

The Marconi Radio transmission site near Clifden, Ireland, was a transatlantic wireless telegraphy station built in 1907. It was the first commercial transatlantic wireless telegraphy service in the world, established by the Marconi International Marine Communication Company. The station played a key role in the development of global communication networks, and was the site of many groundbreaking transmissions, including the first transatlantic wireless message sent by Guglielmo Marconi himself in 1907. The station remained in operation until the late 1920s, when it was closed due to advancements in technology and the rise of newer, more powerful transatlantic wireless stations. Today, the Marconi Station site is a popular tourist destination and a historical landmark.

A Sensational Technological Achievement 📻

On December 12, 1901, Guglielmo Marconi sent wireless messages from his station in Poldhu, Cornwall, to Newfoundland, causing a communications sensation. He started working on perfecting wireless communication with Poldhu in late 1902 after receiving a grant of $80,000 from the Canadian government to construct a station at Glace Bay in Nova Scotia. He found it extremely difficult to provide commercially viable communications and decided to transfer his easterly station as far west as he could. After conducting experiments at various locations, he chose Clifden, or more precisely, Derrigimlagh Bog as his preferred location.

The station wasn’t actually inaugurated until commercial signaling between Clifden and Glace Bay started on October 17th, 1907. With the enormous condenser house structure, the power house with its six boilers, and the mammoth aerial system made up of eight wooden masts that were each 210 feet tall and extended for 0.5 kilometers eastward over the hill, it was a sight to behold. The enormous power and voltages involved were evident by the distant sound of sparks coming from the aerials (150KW at 15,000 volts).

A more effective station was constructed at Caernarfon in North Wales as technology developed over time. In July 1922, republican forces stormed the Clifden radio station, which resulted in some structures being damaged. The Marconi Company requested compensation from the new Free State administration, but nothing came of it. Soon after, the station was shuttered.

Since the station’s contents were sold for scrap after it closed, the remaining structures have been abandoned. Sadly, not much of the station at the site now, which was a significant industrial operation in the 20th century. The site at Derrigimlagh Bog has now been developed as Signature Discovery Point of the Wild Atlantic Way by the Clifden and Connemara Heritage Society and Fáilte Ireland and is well worth visit when exploring this beautiful part of Connemara.

Learn more about the Marconi Radio Transmission site

Marconi Station directions map