Clifden

The town

Clifden, or An Clochán in Irish, translates to “stepping stones”. It sits on the Owenglin River where the water flows into Clifden Bay in County Galway. As the largest settlement in Connemara, people often call it “the Capital of Connemara”. The N59 links it to Galway city. Roads from across the region meet here. The bay sits in front, with mountains behind. That walk along the river to the water is the first one most people take.

The founding

John D'Arcy started the town at the start of the 19th century. He lived in Clifden Castle, built around 1818, which is now a ruin on the hill west of the town. He inherited the estate in 1804. At that time, fishermen and farmers made up most of the population. D'Arcy first voiced the idea of a coastal town in 1812. Bad communications and a lack of private capital slowed progress until the 1820s. The potato crop failed in 1821–22. D'Arcy then petitioned the government in Dublin for assistance. The engineer Alexander Nimmo was sent to the area. He set out the streets, the quay and the plan the town still keeps.

The position

Clifden acts as the base for the whole region. It is the largest town in Connemara. The coves and peninsulas lie to the west. The Twelve Pins are to the south. A coast road runs on to Roundstone and Cleggan. The bay in front of the town feels like its front garden. You see the water, the islands beyond it, and the Atlantic behind them. A day out of Clifden can mean the town, the bay, or a drive west to the coves. It depends on the weather and the light.

Practical

Clifden is on the N59, a drive from Galway city. The river walk to Clifden Bay is in the town. The ruined castle sits on the hill above. The town works as the base for the area. You can see the bay in the morning and the mountains in the afternoon.