15 BEST Things To Do In Clifden, Ireland

There are such a lot of great issues to do in Clifden. Clifden is the beating coronary heart of the area and the most effective place for vacationers to make a hub to discover Connemara Nationwide Park. It’s a Victorian-era city set alongside the famed Wild Atlantic Approach and simply probably the greatest locations to see in Eire. It’s location means it’s a coastal city set alongside the mouth of the River Owenglin with entry to the ocean by way of an extended slender bay.

It’s well-known for its music scene, with a number of pubs providing stay music virtually each night time of the week. We had simply come off an 18-hour flight and drove three hours from Dublin however nonetheless managed to poke our heads into Lowry’s tavern for a “welcome to Eire pint.”

As with virtually each night time in Clifden, we had been greeted by stay music and a spirited crowd. Clifden is a energetic small Irish city properly value a couple of days of exploration. Listed below are all the most effective issues to do in Clifden.

The Greatest Issues To Do In Clifden

Clifden Fortress

If there’s one factor Eire has, it’s stunning ruined castles. Clifden Fortress is one such edifice and probably the greatest issues to do in Clifden. The construction was as soon as an imposing manor home belonging to John D’Arcy, the descendant of a noble household within the space who rose to prominence because the city’s Justice of the Peace. The attractive fortress was in-built a Roman Gothic fashion, together with turrets.

Over time, the fortress handed to a distinct household, however when their patriarch died, it grew to become all however deserted, its furnishings offered off to pay for money owed. Immediately, the inside consists of quiet, empty halls and spacious rooms. Whereas it’s on non-public property, it’s open for visits—however there aren’t any opening hours nor guided excursions, so don’t anticipate any route.

Location: 5 minutes east of Clifden on Sky Highway

Insider Tip: Whereas adventuring inside the fortress may appear thrilling, be cautious of weak and crumbling partitions, and take excessive warning in the event you resolve to enterprise inside.

Sky Highway

This one is a sight to behold and simply probably the greatest issues to do in Clifden. When you may stroll a few of it, it’s most likely higher suited to one thing with wheels like a automotive or a motorbike as a result of, at a complete of 16km, it’s fairly lengthy!

Sky Highway stretches alongside the Connemara shoreline, providing a few of the area’s greatest views—therefore why it’s thought of one of the crucial picturesque locations in Eire (and contemplating the remainder of the nation, that’s saying lots).

You’ll be handled to views of the encircling Connemara countryside, the islands throughout from the mainland, and close by County Mayo and County Clare. You possibly can even see previous the islands and out to the countless expanse that’s the Atlantic Ocean.

Insider Tip: You’ll want to go to the one viewpoint to admire the surroundings and take photographs.

Connemara Heritage & Historical past Heart

That is form of a two-part attraction. One half consists of the Connemara Heritage and Historical past Heart, which delves into the intriguing previous of the Connemara area. The positioning is on a hill farm with cows, sheep, and the well-known breed of horses, Connemara ponies.

The heritage middle was constructed on this location as a result of second a part of the attraction – a preserved Nineteenth-century pre-famine cottage that when belonged to a person named Dan O’Hara, who was evicted and compelled to to migrate.

Don’t miss out on the demonstrations of historic actions, like soda bread making, sheep herding, and the crannóg and clochaun reconstructions (prehistoric lake and oratory, respectively).

Location: Lettershea, Clifden

Insider Tip: Guided excursions can be found, however you need to prepare prematurely.

The Station Home Museum

Eoin Gardiner, CC BY 2.0, by way of Wikimedia Commons / Greatest Issues to do in Clifden

Whereas the railway is not any extra, the construction of its Clifden cease station stays. After its prepare days had been over, it was a tweed mill earlier than changing into the museum it’s right now. Whereas the infrastructure is essentially preserved as the unique prepare station, the within has been changed into reveals on John D’Arcy (Clifden’s founder), the Connemara pony, and Marconi, among the many first to carry telecommunications to Clifden within the early 1900s.

Close by, there are different issues to see: the Station Home Resort, the Previous Engine Home (detailing Marconi’s function in Clifden’s growth), and the ‘Items Retailer,’ which is now a theater and efficiency venue.

Location: Station Home Courtyard, Galway Rd

Insider Tip: Hungry? Lower than a five-minute stroll away is Mannions, a well known native spot with seafood and bar snacks.

Monument of John D’Arcy

Whereas the monument itself isn’t probably the most fascinating, it’s nonetheless fairly cool to see this modern-looking quick obelisk paying homage to John D’Arcy, the founding father of Clifden. It’s positioned only a few minutes east of town (on the way in which to Clifden Fortress), not removed from the shoreline. The monument has some carved graffiti relationship again to its set up, which is at all times neat to see.

The primary attraction right here is definitely not the stone monument however the unbelievable view over Clifden. Gazing inland, you’ll be capable to see clearly over the city. And looking out in the direction of the horizon, you possibly can see throughout the water, making this an optimum dawn and sundown spot.

Location: 7 Seaside Rd, Cloghaunard

Insider Tip: To get to the highest is a brief hike. Alongside the way in which, there are a couple of Connemara ponies to see as properly.

The Alcock and Brown Touchdown Web site

Only a 15–minute drive south of the center of city is a nondescript space with a really modern-looking monument. Designed to appear to be the tip of a airplane, it’s, actually, a homage to the precise spot the place Twentieth-century pilots John Alcock and Arthur Brown crash-landed their WWI airplane after efficiently (albeit dangerously) finishing historical past’s first-ever transatlantic flight all the way in which from Newfoundland, Canada.

The flight itself was fraught with nail-biting situations, like poor visibility, a failed radio, and harmful climate, amongst different mechanical failures. Nonetheless, in opposition to all odds, they reached Eire’s western coast and landed (safely) on what gave the impression to be a strip of grass—which was actually a lavatory!

Location: Marconi St, Derrigimlagh

Insider Tip: The encircling space is great for a brief hike (normally finished in underneath two hours).

Mannin Bay Blueway

A little bit of a departure from the same old historic sights, that is one thing you’ll need to add to your checklist of issues to do in Clifden. Mannin Bay Blueway is a shocking seashore space with white sand, azure water, and verdant inexperienced dunes (you would possibly virtually overlook you’re in Eire).

Discover the Coral Strand Highway, which can lead you to the seashore by way of a small automotive park. As soon as right here, it is a launch space for tons of water sports activities. You possibly can lease kayaks, go snorkeling, or simply loosen up within the shallows of the water. In the summertime, it is a bustling place for each vacationers and locals, so arrive early to get first choose of the spots.

Due to the ecology, Mannin Bay is a haven for beachcombers—particularly these looking for seashells. Have your digicam prepared as a result of that is in contrast to any surroundings you’ll see elsewhere within the area.

Location: R341, Shannanagower

Insider Tip: There aren’t any public bathrooms within the space, so do your enterprise beforehand.

Attend Market Day

This is a wonderful choice if you would like an expertise that immerses you within the city’s tradition and makes you’re feeling like a neighborhood. So, in the event you’re in Clifden on a Friday, don’t miss out on Market Day.

Going down within the aptly-named Market Sq., it’s a community of native producers promoting home-grown vegatables and fruits, flowers, conserves, and baked pastries.

It’s year-round, however naturally, the most effective time to be outdoors is within the hotter months. Image a Friday morning with a steaming espresso and a recent pastry as you sit, and other people watch.

Location: Market Sq., Clifden

Insider Tip: Get right here at the beginning, as most sellers are cleaned out by midday. 

Cease for a pint at Lowry’s Music and Whiskey Bar

Having a pint in Eire might be on anybody’s bucket checklist, however think about having a pint within the bar voted 2019’s Greatest Conventional Bar in Eire. The critiques communicate for themselves: friends have recommended all the pieces from the ambiance to the toasted sandwiches.

However the true deal with isn’t simply the bar meals; it’s the huge choice of Irish whiskey and artisan gins obtainable to pattern. Plus, there’s conventional stay music each night time, seven days every week. Stopping at Lowry’s is without doubt one of the greatest issues in Clifden, so don’t miss your likelihood to come back right here!

Location: Market St, Clifden

Insider Tip: Due to the stay leisure from conventional Irish musicians, the place fills up quick, so arrive early to get a seat.

Take a kayaking tour

It’s simple to get a shocking view of the horizon from the cliff’s edge, however in the event you’re excited by seeing a distinct standpoint, then a guided kayaking tour (whether or not only a few hours or a number of days) may very well be proper up your alley. You’ll be capable to see the rocky cliffs from out on the glittering water and witness the ocean birds circling overhead, tiny within the distance.

Only a small pattern of a few of the unbelievable sights you possibly can see on one in all these excursions – the Killary Fjord, the Delphi Blueway, and the Cleggan sea caves. 

See the tour operator web site right here.

Insider Tip: Whereas kayaking is comparatively simple to choose up, whilst a newbie, the shortest of those outings can common 4 hours, so that you would possibly need to have some kayaking expertise (and arm stamina). 

Trek by Connemara Nationwide Park

If climbing in Eire is your factor, then Connemara Nationwide Park will certainly be a day properly spent for you. It’s one of many nation’s six nationwide parks (not too shabby contemplating its modest dimension) and covers round 2000 hectares of bogland, verdant rolling hills, forest, and grasslands.

Whereas it’s excellent for anybody desirous to see a few of Eire’s wild, rugged magnificence, it’s additionally a historical past lesson. There are various indicators of early human habitation, such because the 4,000-year-old megalithic tombs. 

For those who’re quiet, you possibly can even perform a little fauna-watching. The world is residence to many species of birds all year long. For those who’re visiting within the winter, you would possibly get fortunate and spot a wild fox or a mountain goat.

Location: Letterfrack, County Galway

Insider Tip: Try the customer middle in the event you want any sources or assist getting began.

Go to Turbot Island

Among the finest issues to do in Clifden is go to Turbot Island. Whereas Turbot Island used to accommodate a small group, it has not had inhabitants because the 70s. Their homes stay on the northern aspect of the island. It was, by the way, the primary sighting of land by pilots Alcock and Brown as they lastly reached Europe of their airplane. 

Whereas there isn’t a lot to do on the island relating to actions, it’s a ravishing instance of Eire’s uncooked and rugged magnificence. Just a few summer season properties are occupied throughout these hotter months, however apart from that, you’re more likely to be fairly alone whereas exploring this gorgeous little plot of land.

Location: Immediately west of the Wild Atlantic Viewpoint alongside Sky Highway.

Insider Tip: Land your boat on the island’s northern aspect, because it’s simpler to entry that manner.

Go to Kylemore Abbey

You’ve doubtless seen photographs of this unbelievable abbey earlier than. Kylemore Abbey is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do close to Clifden. Situated round a 25-minute drive from Clifden, it is a excellent day journey and even only a half-day outing. In 1920, Kylemore Abbey was initially constructed as a Benedictine monastery by nuns fleeing Belgium throughout WWI.

Immediately, it’s a year-round historic attraction serving vacationers from all around the world. Its grounds comprise over a thousand acres of unbelievable structure, nature walks, and an enormous Victorian walled backyard. It even has its personal neo-Gothic church.

Eire’s Abbey has many myths and legends, however the Battle of the Giants is extraordinarily well-known. It tells the story of two giants – Cú Chulainn and Fionn McCool – combating by launching stones at one another, one in all which remains to be there right now. You possibly can even make a want on it.

Take a day journey to Pearse Cottage

Round a 40-minute drive from Clifden is one other historic cottage value seeing in the event you go to Connemara. Patrick Pearse was a author and linguist, significantly passionate concerning the Irish Gaelic language and its preservation.

Although he later grew to become a revolutionary, throughout his humble beginnings, he bought land. He constructed himself a cottage with a thatched roof (uncommon for somebody of his stature even then, as this was related to poorer housing).

After his execution, it was burned down by rivals and reconstructed within the Nineteen Forties. Immediately, it’s a reminder of the structure of the time and a visible reminder of Eire’s mystique and folklore. Sitting on the sting of a loch, it additionally makes for nice photographs.

Location: Ros Muc, County Galway

Insider Tip: Try the newly-minted customer’s middle, which was established in 2016.

Whitethorn Gallery

Owned and curated by artist Anne Merrins, the Clifden Whitethorn Gallery is a testomony to the expertise of Irish painters and sculptors. The gallery is filled with items made by native artists, showcasing many work that show the magical essence of the Irish landscapes. 

Whereas these items will be expensive, you possibly can at all times discover one thing (be it a print or a portray) to take residence as a reminder of your time in Eire. Plus, you’re supporting native artists, which matches an extended approach to preserve the area’s cultural identification.

Location: Most important St, Clifden

Insider Tip: The gallery is part of the Station Home Courtyard, proper close to the Station Home Museum.

Fast Eire Journey Ideas

‘Hey’ and ‘Thank You’ in Gaelic: “Dia dhuit” and “Go raibh maith agat”

Foreign money: Euro – (EUR) – €

Visa: The Republic of Eire & Northern Eire are separate international locations on the island of Eire. The Republic of Eire, generally known as ‘Eire’, grants 90-day visas. Northern Eire, part of the UK, additionally grants 90 days.

Climate: Anticipate plenty of climate! Eire is thought for having fast shifts and many rain – the one motive a rustic like Eire stays so inexperienced and fertile. See our full packing checklist right here.

When is the most effective time to go to Eire? Eire is a incredible nation to go to year-round. Nonetheless, you’ll discover crowds through the summer season. My favourite time to go to Eire is in September when the climate is cool and the low crowds. You possibly can learn all concerning the climate in Eire right here.

25 Eire Journey Tricks to Know BEFORE You Go

Renting a Automobile in Eire

Self-drive holidays in Eire are a stylish approach to see the nation’s glories, particularly since lots of its vacationer sights and greatest pure landscapes are difficult to achieve utilizing rail or bus networks.

Having your personal car additionally provides you the liberty to discover the sights and sounds that the majority curiosity you, while you need to, in comparison with the set itineraries of a tour group!

Renting a automotive isn’t an advanced course of. Learn our ideas for renting a automotive in Eire right here.

Plan and Pack for Eire