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There are such a lot of fantastic issues to do in Clifden. Clifden is the beating coronary heart of the area and the very best place for vacationers to make a hub to discover Connemara Nationwide Park. It’s a Victorian-era city set alongside the famed Wild Atlantic Manner 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 through a protracted slender bay.
It’s well-known for its music scene, with a number of pubs providing reside music nearly 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 nearly each night time in Clifden, we had been greeted by reside music and a spirited crowd. Clifden is a full of life small Irish city effectively price just a few days of exploration. Listed below are all of the finest issues to do in Clifden.
The Greatest Issues To Do In Clifden
Clifden Fort
If there’s one factor Eire has, it’s stunning ruined castles. Clifden Fort 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 gorgeous citadel was in-built a Roman Gothic type, together with turrets.
Over time, the citadel 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. At present, the inside consists of quiet, empty halls and spacious rooms. Whereas it’s on non-public property, it’s open for visits—however there are not 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 throughout the citadel may appear thrilling, be cautious of weak and crumbling partitions, and take excessive warning when you determine to enterprise inside.
Sky Highway
This one is a sight to behold and simply probably the greatest issues to do in Clifden. Whilst you may stroll a few of it, it’s in all probability higher suited to one thing with wheels like a automotive or a motorcycle as a result of, at a complete of 16km, it’s fairly lengthy!
Sky Highway stretches alongside the Connemara shoreline, providing a number of the area’s finest views—therefore why it’s thought of probably the most picturesque locations in Eire (and contemplating the remainder of the nation, that’s saying loads).
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 infinite expanse that’s the Atlantic Ocean.
- Insider Tip: Make sure to go to the only 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 must organize upfront.
The Station Home Museum
Eoin Gardiner, CC BY 2.0, through 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 turning into the museum it’s as we speak. 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 Outdated Engine Home (detailing Marconi’s position 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 essentially 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 situated just some minutes east of the town (on the way in which to Clifden Fort), 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 principle attraction right here is definitely not the stone monument however the unimaginable view over Clifden. Gazing inland, you’ll have the ability to see clearly over the city. And looking out in direction of the horizon, you may 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 just a few Connemara ponies to see as effectively.
The Alcock and Brown Touchdown Website
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 aircraft, it’s, in reality, a homage to the precise spot the place Twentieth-century pilots John Alcock and Arthur Brown crash-landed their WWI aircraft 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, towards 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 bathroom!
- Location: Marconi St, Derrigimlagh
- Insider Tip: The encompassing space is fantastic for a brief hike (normally accomplished in underneath two hours).
Mannin Bay Blueway
A little bit of a departure from the standard 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 surprising seashore space with white sand, azure water, and verdant inexperienced dunes (you may nearly overlook you’re in Eire).
Discover the Coral Strand Highway, which is able to lead you to the seashore through a small automotive park. As soon as right here, it is a launch space for tons of water sports activities. You possibly can hire kayaks, go snorkeling, or simply chill out 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.
Because of the ecology, Mannin Bay is a haven for beachcombers—particularly these looking for seashells. Have your digital camera prepared as a result of that is not like any surroundings you’ll see elsewhere within the area.
- Location: R341, Shannanagower
- Insider Tip: There are not any public bathrooms within the space, so do your corporation beforehand.
Attend Market Day
This is a superb choice if you’d like an expertise that immerses you within the city’s tradition and makes you are feeling like a neighborhood. So, when you’re in Clifden on a Friday, don’t miss out on Market Day.
Happening 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 very best time to be exterior is within the hotter months. Image a Friday morning with a steaming espresso and a contemporary pastry as you sit, and other people watch.
- Location: Market Sq., Clifden
- Insider Tip: Get right here at first, 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 opinions communicate for themselves: visitors have counseled every thing from the ambiance to the toasted sandwiches.
However the actual deal with isn’t simply the bar meals; it’s the huge collection of Irish whiskey and artisan gins accessible to pattern. Plus, there’s conventional reside music each night time, seven days per week. Stopping at Lowry’s is without doubt one of the finest issues in Clifden, so don’t miss your likelihood to return right here!
- Location: Market St, Clifden
- Insider Tip: Due to the reside 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 surprising view of the horizon from the cliff’s edge, however when you’re enthusiastic about seeing a distinct standpoint, then a guided kayaking tour (whether or not just some hours or a number of days) might be proper up your alley. You’ll have the ability 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 number of the unimaginable sights you may see on certainly one of 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 select up, whilst a newbie, the shortest of those outings can common 4 hours, so that you may need to have some kayaking expertise (and arm stamina).
Trek by means of Connemara Nationwide Park
If mountain climbing in Eire is your factor, then Connemara Nationwide Park will certainly be a day effectively 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 good for anybody desirous to see a few of Eire’s wild, rugged magnificence, it’s additionally a historical past lesson. There are numerous indicators of early human habitation, such because the 4,000-year-old megalithic tombs.
If you happen to’re quiet, you may even perform a little fauna-watching. The realm is dwelling to many species of birds all year long. If you happen to’re visiting within the winter, you may get fortunate and spot a wild fox or a mountain goat.
- Location: Letterfrack, County Galway
- Insider Tip: Take a look at the customer middle when you want any sources or assist getting began.
Go to Turbot Island
The most effective issues to do in Clifden is go to Turbot Island. Whereas Turbot Island used to accommodate a small group, it has not had inhabitants for the reason that 70s. Their homes stay on the northern facet 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 houses are occupied throughout these hotter months, however apart from that, you might be more likely to be fairly alone whereas exploring this gorgeous little plot of land.
- Location: Instantly west of the Wild Atlantic Viewpoint alongside Sky Highway.
- Insider Tip: Land your boat on the island’s northern facet, because it’s simpler to entry that manner.
Go to Kylemore Abbey
You’ve probably seen photographs of this unimaginable abbey earlier than. Kylemore Abbey is without doubt one of the finest issues to do close to Clifden. Positioned round a 25-minute drive from Clifden, it is a good 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.
At present, it’s a year-round historic attraction serving vacationers from everywhere in the world. Its grounds comprise over a thousand acres of unimaginable 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 – preventing by launching stones at one another, certainly one of which continues to be there as we speak. 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 price seeing when you go to Connemara. Patrick Pearse was a author and linguist, significantly passionate in regards to 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 Forties. At present, 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: Take a look at 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 stuffed 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 may at all times discover one thing (be it a print or a portray) to take dwelling as a reminder of your time in Eire. Plus, you might be supporting native artists, which works a protracted technique to preserve the area’s cultural id.
- Location: Essential St, Clifden
- Insider Tip: The gallery is part of the Station Home Courtyard, proper close to the Station Home Museum.
Fast Eire Journey Ideas
- ‘Good day’ and ‘Thank You’ in Gaelic: “Dia dhuit” and “Go raibh maith agat”
- Forex: Euro – (EUR) – €
- Visa: The Republic of Eire & Northern Eire are separate nations on the island of Eire. The Republic of Eire, often known as ‘Eire’, grants 90-day visas. Northern Eire, part of the UK, additionally grants 90 days.
- Climate: Count on a lot of climate! Eire is understood for having speedy shifts and plenty of rain – the one motive a rustic like Eire stays so inexperienced and fertile. See our full packing checklist right here.
- When is the very best 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 in regards to the climate in Eire right here.
25 Eire Journey Tricks to Know BEFORE You Go
Renting a Automotive in Eire
Self-drive holidays in Eire are a classy technique to see the nation’s glories, particularly since a lot of its vacationer sights and finest pure landscapes are difficult to succeed in 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 a sophisticated course of. Learn our ideas for renting a automotive in Eire right here.
Search and Evaluate Costs for Rental Automobiles
- DiscoverCars.com – We personally use them to look and examine rental automotive costs across the globe.
- Auto Europe – Compares the very best charges!
Plan and Pack for Eire
Store For Journey Insurance coverage
We don’t journey with out journey insurance coverage, and neither must you. You by no means know what can occur abroad, and it’s finest to be ready. HeyMondo presents wonderful quick and long-term journey insurance coverage insurance policies.
Eire Planning Assets
- Packing Information — Take a look at our Eire Packing Checklist to assist pack your baggage and make sure you don’t go away something at dwelling.
- Hire a Automotive — We recommend most guests think about renting a automotive for the very best journey attainable. Strive Uncover Automotive Rent to check quotes from completely different rental businesses.
- Shield Your Journey — We don’t journey with out journey insurance coverage and neither must you. You by no means know what can occur whereas touring so it’s finest to be ready. HeyMondo supplies wonderful short-term and long-term journey insurance coverage.
- Journey Adapter – Be sure you discover a good adapter to maintain your private electronics charged. In any other case, chances are you’ll be paying for an inexpensive one when you land. Buy one right here.
- Rain Jacket — Eire doesn’t get so inexperienced with out its share of rain. Irrespective of the time of 12 months, we advocate a packable rain jacket.
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