Republic of Ireland, Clifden

Clifden is a town on the coast of County Galway, Republic of Ireland and being Connemara's largest town, it is often referred to as "the Capital of Connemara". It is located on the Owenglin River where it flows into Clifden Bay. The town is linked to Galway city by the N59 and is a popular tourist destination for those touring Connemara.

History

The town was founded at the start of the 19th century by John D'Arcy who lived in Clifden Castle (which is now a ruin that can be seen from the Sky Road west of Clifden).

It is the birth place of Jon Riley, Saint Patrick battalion's commander, who fought along his men in the Mexican-American War in the 19th century.

Clifden gained prominence in the early 1900s when Guglielmo Marconi built his first high power transatlantic long wave wireless telegraphy station four miles south of the town to minimize the distance to its sister station in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.

Clifden is near the landing place of the first transatlantic flight by Alcock and Brown on 15 June 1919. The plane crashlanded in Derrygimlagh bog, close to Marconi's transatlantic wireless station.

In "the burning of Clifden" in 1921, 14 suspected Republican homes were burnt by the Black and Tans.

Religion

Clifden lies within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuam and the Church of Ireland Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, and its Omey Union Parish. Clifden has two churches: St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) and Christ Church (Church of Ireland).

Transport

Road
The N59 road from Galway (77km away) to Westport, County Mayo (64km) passes through the town.
Coach
Regular coach services are provided by Bus Éireann and Citylink, connecting Clifden with Galway city.
Rail
From 1895 to 1935 Clifden was the western terminus of the Midland Great Western Railway. Clifden station was opened on 1 July 1895, but finally closed on 29 April 1935.