Clifden
Connemara’s capital and largest town
Clifden (Irish: An Clochán, meaning “stepping stones”) is a town on the coast of County Galway. Being Connemara’s largest town, it is often referred to as “the Capital of Connemara”. Clifden is one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland with a stunning location at the foot of the Twelve Pins Mountains, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of the beautiful Connemara region. It is the largest town in Connemara, and one of the most precious jewels in Ireland’s scenic crown. Clifden is a vibrant thriving cosmopolitan town, and is undoubtedly the key to exploring the stunningly wonderful terrain of Connemara.
Clifden can be found about 50 miles north west of Galway city. Long gone are the days when visitors would get a glimpse of the town as they drove by on the Connemara Loop. Clifden is now a top destination in its own right and a popular base for exploring Connemara. This diamond shaped town is the largest town west of Galway, making it the capital of the Connemara region. Set against a backdrop of mountains and ocean, this colourful and lively town is brimming with boutiques, gift and souvenir shops, cafes, fine restaurants and lots of quaint Irish pubs.
Clifden FAQs
Is a trip to Clifden worth it?
Clifden is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re drawn to breathtaking scenery, outdoor activities, and a charming small-town atmosphere. Here’s why:
Scenic Beauty: Clifden is located in Connemara, renowned for its stunning landscapes of rugged coastline, mountains, and pristine beaches. The drive to Clifden offers panoramic views of Connemara National Park and the Twelve Bens mountain range.
Outdoor Activities: From hiking and cycling to fishing and horseback riding, Clifden and its surrounding area offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. You can explore Connemara’s trails, take boat trips to nearby islands, or simply enjoy the tranquility of the countryside.
Cultural Heritage: Clifden has a rich history and is known as the “Capital of Connemara.” It was founded by John D’Arcy in the early 19th century and has since become a vibrant hub of culture, with art galleries, traditional music sessions, and historic sites like Clifden Castle.
Clifden Arts Festival: The town hosts an annual arts festival in September, attracting artists, musicians, and performers from around the world. It’s a celebration of creativity and culture that adds to the town’s lively atmosphere.
Connemara Pony Festival: Every summer in August the town draws visitors from all over the world to for a week long festival to celebrate the magnificent Connemara Pony.
What is there to do in Clifden?
What are the best hotels in Clifden?
How long is it from Galway to Clifden?
Is there good shopping in Clifden?
Main Street: Clifden’s Main Street is dotted with boutique shops, craft galleries, and gift shops offering a variety of locally-made goods, including Connemara marble jewelry, Aran knitwear, pottery, Connemara Blue glasswork, and art galleries such as The Whitethorn Gallery and Lavelle Art Gallery.
Supermarkets and Convenience Stores: You’ll also find supermarkets such as Super Valu, Aldi, Lidl, and many small newsagent stores in Clifden for everyday essentials.
What are the best beaches near Clifden?
There are several world-class beaches not far from Clifden:
- Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Beach: These stunning beaches are situated near Roundstone, approximately 22 kilometers south of Clifden, which would take around 25-30 minutes by car.
- Mannin Bay Beach: This beautiful sandy beach is located about 10 kilometers west of Clifden, approximately a 15-minute drive away.
- Omey Island Beach: Accessible via a tidal causeway, Omey Island Beach is around 10 kilometers northwest of Clifden, reachable by car in about 15-20 minutes depending on tides.
- Glassilaun and Lettergesh Beaches: 25km (30mins drive) North-east of Clifden near the village of Tullycross are two of the most beautiful long strand sheltered beaches, ideal for when the summer sun shines.
Best Restaurants in Clifden 🍽️
Off The Square Restaurant
Off the Square, which holds the top rank and is conveniently situated on Main Street, is one of the best seafood eateries that Clifden has to offer.
Phone: +353 (095) 22281 | Website: www.offthesquare.ie
Mitchell’s Restaurant
Award-winning Mitchell’s Restaurant serves the finest seafood specialties. Mitchell’s creative menu has you covered whether you’re in the mood for some fresh local mussels steamed in white wine or want to try smoked salmon. The restaurant is housed inside a listed building and has a lovely décor with a cozy fireplace on the first level.
Phone: +353 (095) 22281 | Website: www.mitchellsrestaurantclifden.com
Guys Gastro Bar
In Clifden, Guys Bar is possibly one of the most well-liked family restaurants (it’s certainly one of the most well-liked pubs!). It is also one of the oldest bars in Clifden and serves everything from classic fish and chips, pizza, homemade house burgers, club sandwiches, and wraps to seafood specials and soups.
Phone: +353 95 21130 | Website: www.guysbarclifden.com
E J Kings Restaurant & Bar
Kings offers a varied menu of delicious dishes including king burgers, sirloin steaks, seafood chowder, oysters, and crab salads. Their selection of mouthwatering desserts are a delightful way to conclude your dinner.
Phone: +353 (095) 21330 | Website: www.ejkings.com
Things to do in Clifden.
Clifden is a great base for exploring the Connemara region as it’s got plenty of accommodation whether you would prefer to stay in a Clifden holiday home, a Clifden bed and breakfast or a Clifden hotel. Clifden is easily reached from Galway city by taking the N59 from the city to Oughterard, then onto Maam Cross, Recess and finally Clifden. Yes, Clifden somehow manages to thread that perfect line between traditional bohemian and contemporary cosmopolitan, and it does do with great charm and confidence. Highlights of the area include:
- Spend a morning horseriding at Errislannan Manor, Clifden. Wonderful horseriding treks along the beach and up into the hills on iconic Galway ponies. Rates start at €35 per hour.
- Spend an evening in Lowry’s Bar. A time-worn local, Lowry’s has traditional pleasures, ranging from the age-old, unadorned look of the place to its céilidh sessions, which take place several nights a week. The food is ‘unpretentious Irish’ (eg bangers and mash).
- Drive the Clifden “Sky Road” and enjoy stunning views of Clifden Bay and Streamstown Bay, as well as panoramas of the Atlantic, Clifden Castle, the old Coast-guard station, and the islands of Inishturk and Turbot.
- A visit to Kylemore Abbey is also a must – see the impressive walled Victorian gardens and take a tour of the abbey.
- Activities to be enjoyed locally include golfing, pitch n’ putt, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, pony trekking on the beach, walking and mountain climbing or just strolling or sunbathing on the beach.
How to get to Clifden 🚌
By bus, car, bicycle, or foot. Citylink provides regular bus services from Galway to Clifden. Alternatively follow the N59 directly from Galway to Clifden.
Where to stay 🛌
Clifden offers a wide range of great accommodation options from luxury hotels, guesthouses, B&B’s and campsites.
Book Clifden Accommodation
Explore Clifden before you go
History of Clifden
The town of Clifden was established by a landlord called John D’Arcy at the start of the 19th century so on relative terms, it’s not as old as other Irish towns. He lived in the nearby Clifden Castle, which is now a ruin and can be seen about 2km from Clifden on the Sky Road.
Clifden’s great claim to fame is, of course, that it was the site of Alcock & Brown’s landing that fateful day in 1919 when history was so decisively made. That was the day the Atlantic Ocean was finally tamed, when the very first heavier-than-air flight across the Atlantic Ocean reached Ireland’s unsuspecting shores. Alcock & Brown’s precarious 1800 mile non-stop voyage from Newfoundland to Clifden made history at the time, and indeed seems remarkable even today. Landing in Roundstone bog at dawn on 15 June 1919 after a flight of sixteen hours, the two pioneers became instant icons, and the town of Clifden was immediately written into the history books. In the course of their flight Alcock and Brown experienced extreme flying conditions, including fog, drizzle, cold, headwinds, and a broken radio. They navigated using only basic optical instruments and often became disorientated, once almost finding themselves flying upside down. Disaster nearly struck on several occasions, before they finally crossed the Irish coast and crash-landed near Clifden.
The crossing secured the longstanding £10,000 Daily Mail prize and, of course, the crew’s place in history. Indeed you might say that Alcock and Brown were the Armstrong and Aldwin of their era. The Vickers ‘Vimy’ , originally a British-built first world war bomber, went on to complete several other aircraft distance records, and it too is very fondly remembered in the overall story of flight. But Alcock & Browns pioneering transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Ireland paved the way for many subsequent ‘firsts’, and ultimately for the development of transatlantic passenger flights.
Follow the coast 🌊
Clifden is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don’t miss Cleggan and Inishbofin if you are travelling north, and Roundstone, and Kilkieran-Carna, if you are travelling south.
Map of Clifden, Co. Galway
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