|
Clifden, 50 miles northwest of Galway , is the largest town in Connemara and
is regarded as its capital. Surprisingly, it is not an old town, being founded
at the start of the 19th Century by John d'Arcy, the local landlord, who lived
in Clifden Castle , now a roofless ruin on the scenic Sky Road running westwards
along Clifden Bay.
The famine of the 1840s retarded the town's growth, but it has now become a
popular tourist centre. With its many fine hotels, guest houses and restaurants ,
it is the ideal base from which to tour the Beanna Beola mountains and the
delightfully fretted coast of western Connemara. Other areas of natural
wilderness, such as Derrygimlagh Bog, 4 miles south of Clifden, site of the
former Marconi wireless station and where Alcock and Brown landed after their
historic transatlantic flight of 1919, lie within easy reach of the town.
The scenery around Clifden is extraordinary. Clifden's striking skyline is
dominated by the spires of the Neo-Gothic Catholic Church and nearby Protestant
church. The Twelve Bens provide a wonderful backdrop to the town.
Clifden Castle is situated 2km from Clifden. This ruin overlooks the sea and
can be reached by the farm track near the Sky Road. Once a Gothic mansion, the
d'Arcys lived here until 1850 when the estate was sold to the Eyre family who
lived here at intervals until the castle fell into ruin in the early 20th
century.
On June 15 1919, Cpt John Alcock and Lt Arthur Brown, flew a Vickers Vimy
1900 miles from Newfoundland to Ireland. A journey which had taken 6hrs and
12mins, they landed in the Derrygimlagh Bog, near Clifden. A monument
representing the wing of the plane stands on a nearby hill and the original
landing site can still be seen.
Sturdy horses were needed in Connemara, with its uneven and rocky terrain. As
a result of these conditions, a breed of pony known as the Connemara Pony,
evolved. This breed has become famous world-wide. The Connemara Pony Show is a
Mecca for breeders of Connemara Ponies, and takes place in Clifden each August.
Sky Drive : Take this exhilarating circular 7 mile drive, west of Clifden.
Leaving the town past the Abbeyglen Hotel and passing Clifden Castle, you will
have wonderful views of the town. The road forks and you can take the high or
low road. The high road climbs to 500ft, you will pass the ruin of the old
coast-guard station and experience wonderful views of the islands of Inishturk
and Turbot. The low road will provide views of the wonderful beaches in this
area.
The Clifden Arts Festival takes place in late Septmeber. Clifden plays home
to a 10-day celebration of the arts. Poetry, storytelling, music, theatre, set
dancing and art exhibitions are all part of this creative, welcoming and vibrant
festival on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
|
