Clifden

Clifden ( ir: An Clochán ) is an Irish town in County Galway and the unofficial capital of Connemara. Clifden is located about 80 km from Galway city at the mouth of the river Owenglin into Clifden Bay and has 1,497 inhabitants ( 2006). Clifden is located on the National Road N59.

The popular tourist town with many craft shops located at the beginning of the 11 km long Sky Road, which offers views over the spectacular scenery and the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown landed that on 14-15. June 1919 as the first with an airplane crossed the Atlantic non-stop. Also nearby, in Derrygimla, is the place where the Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi had set up his radio station, with whom he allowed the first wireless transatlantic telegraph service to the public from 1907. The transmitting station was destroyed during the Irish Civil War in 1922.

Among the attractions of the town, founded in 1812 is one of the ruins of Clifden Castle (on the Sky Road ), the former residence of the founder of the city, John D' Arcy. John D' Arcy was landowner and High Sheriff of Galway. He founded this place, to give the region higher reputation, because it was once considered lawless region. In the Protestant Church of Clifden is a copy of the Cross of Cong.

Since 1924, every year takes place in Clifden Pony market with the world's largest exhibition of Connemara Ponies in August on the third Thursday.

Attractions in the surroundings

  • The Twelve Bens - a mountain range in Connemara east of Clifden
  • Connemara National Park
  • Kylemore Abbey
  • Ballynahinch Castle
  • Sky Road
  • The Moor of Derrygimlagh southeast of Clifden
  • The island of Inishbofin
  • The Lighthouse of Slyne Head
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