Clifden is one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland with a stunning location at the foot of the Twelve Pins Mountains, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of the beautiful Connemara region. Read on to find out more about this vibrant Irish town…

Clifden can be found about 50 miles north west of Galway city. Long gone are the days when visitors would get a glimpse of the town as they drove by on the Connemara Loop - Clifden is now a top destination in its own right and a popular base for exploring Connemara.

This diamond shaped town is the largest town west of Galway, making it the capital of the Connemara region. Set against a backdrop of mountains and ocean, this colourful and lively town is brimming with boutiques, gift and souvenir shops, cafes, fine restaurants and lots of quaint Irish pubs.

The town of Clifden was established by a landlord called John D’Arcy at the start of the 19th century so on relative terms, it’s not as old as other Irish towns. He lived in the nearby Clifden Castle, which is now a ruin and can be seen about 2km from Clifden on the Sky Road.

Other attractions to be seen close to Clifden include the Alcock & Brown site where Captain John Alcock and Lt, Arthur Brown landed from Newfoundland after they made the first transatlantic non-stop flight in 1919. A visit to Kylemore Abbey is also a must - see the impressive walled Victorian gardens and take a tour of the abbey.

Activities to be enjoyed locally include golfing, pitch n’ putt, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, pony trekking on the beach, walking and mountain climbing or just strolling or sunbathing on the beach.

Clifden is a great base for exploring the Connemara region as it’s got plenty of accommodation whether you would prefer to stay in a Clifden holiday home, a Clifden bed and breakfast or a Clifden hotel.

Clifden is easily reached from Galway city by taking the N59 from the city to Oughterard, then onto Maam Cross, Recess and finally Clifden.

Hope you enjoy your visit to Clifden. For a full listing of hotels in Galway visit our Galway hotels page and for hotels in Galway city, check out our hotels in Galway city centre Ireland. If you need any help booking accommodation just get in touch.