Clifden : "THE" town

How to do Clifden like a pro: Free parking, glass-bottomed boats and the locals' favourite pub

Plus a hidden gem of a bog walk. 

Image: Shutterstock/Lisandro Luis Trarbach

TUCKED IN BETWEEN Galway’s Twelve Bens mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Clifden is famous for its picturesque town, stunning scenery, and as the end point for the world’s first transatlantic flight.

But what are the must-do things in the capital of Connemara? We asked local historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill, who takes visitors on tours around the town.

When’s the best time to go?

Just a short drive west of Galway city, Clifden attracts large numbers of tourists over the summer, but Villiers-Tuthill recommends visiting either before or after the high season.

“I always think May and June are the best months because you have the long days, you can be very lucky with the weather, and it’s a bit quieter than July and August,” she says.

Pro tip: Check out the Clifden Arts Festival, which takes place over 10 days at the end of September every year. “It’s a huge event, but it’s still calm enough for both locals and tourists to enjoy. There’s always a good buzz around town because there’s lots happening on the streets, and you get terrific names right on your doorstep, from poets and writers to artists and musicians,” Villiers-Tuthill adds.

Where can I park?

There’s plenty of spots to leave your car while you’re exploring Clifden, with pay-and-display parking on the main streets and a car park at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, which charges a small hourly fee.

“There are a few options around town. The only time you might have a problem is the first two weeks in August, when it can be busy, but the rest of the time you’ll always find a space,” Villiers-Tuthill says.

Pro tip: There’s a free public car park behind the tourist office in the centre of town, however spaces here are limited.

Kylemore AbbeySource: Shutterstock/Rita Miranda

What are the top things to do in Clifden?

Clifden is a compact town, so you can easily walk around its shops, restaurants and pubs, or drop into the Station House museum to find out more about the history of the area.

A short drive away is the famous Kylemore Abbey, which was built as a castle in 1868, before being taken over by Benedictine nuns. It now costs €14 for visitors to tour the abbey and its Victorian gardens, and explore the woodland and lake-side walks .

“Kylemore Abbey is a big draw and just this month they opened a new, modern display. It’s more interactive now, telling you the history of the man who built the house and the nuns who have been there for the past 100 years,” Villiers-Tuthill says.

“The gardens are terrific, particularly at this time of year. Then in the other direction you can walk over to the gothic church, which is always worth a look, and sometimes you can be lucky and there’ll be a choir. There’s a craft shop and a restaurant too, so you can spend the day at Kylemore.”

Pro tip: Head down to Clifden quay to experience some of the local coastal scenery. “It’s a nice long walk and there’s a very good cafe in the boat club at the end called the Boardwalk Cafe, where you can get a meal or a cup of coffee while looking out over Clifden bay. That’s a hidden gem,” Villiers-Tuthill adds.

Source: Shutterstock/mathildeb52

Where are the best places to stop for food and drink?

If you’ve worked up an appetite there’s also plenty of options around Clifden town, especially if you’re in the mood for seafood.

“The most popular place with the locals would be Marconi Restaurant, that’s right on the main street. Then Mitchell’s is a nice place for lunch, and Darcy Twelve, named after the founder of the town, has become very popular as well,” Villiers-Tuthill says.

There’s also “very good food to be found in some of the pubs,” including Guy’s, Lowry’s and Mannion’s.

Pro tip: Look out for any pubs that have live music in the evenings. “For traditional Irish music, I would go to Lowry’s. But there’s always something on every night in one of the pubs,” Villiers-Tuthill adds.