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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

Coach services: 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.

Connemara National Park - Situated near Letterfrack, the Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic countryside, rich in wildlife on the slopes of the Twelve Bens. Attractions include exhibitions, nature trails, audio-visual show. In addition there is a summer programme of walks, talks and special events for younger visitors. Access for visitors with disabilities in the Visitor Centre.

Derrygimla Bog - 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, Beach Rd (1.km past pier, beside the beach). Offers Sailing lessons during the summer, also a small friendly bar restaurant offering good food and craic. 

Eat

• Vicker's Restaurant (at the Alcock & Brown Hotel in the town centre). 
• Mithchell's (in the center of town). 
• 2 Dog Cafe. Wonderful food, coffee, and internet access. 

Drink

Pubs: Mullarkeys and Mannions Bar

• Guys Bar & Snug, Main St, ☏ +353 95 21130. Great food, early and late music sessions. 

Sleep

Hotels:

• Alcock & Brown Hotel. Family run hotel in the centre of town. Very popular restaurant. 

Bed & Breakfasts :

• Racecourse Lodge. 
• Buttermilk Lodge. Family run Bed & Breakfast close to the centre of town. 
• Kingstown House B&B, Bridge St (in town centre). 

Hostel:

• Clifden Town Hostel. 
• Brookside Hostel. 
• Ben View House B&B. 

Splurge:

• Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. 
• Self catering- Connemara Rentals, 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.