Clifden Irish Nights

This is 2 hour show starting at 9pm every Tuesday and Thursday night from the middle of June to the end of August and showcases the very best Irish music and dancing in County Galway.

The show’s music is supplied by local musicians and occasional guest musicians and dancers. The dancing involves local school children and visitors in the audience are welcome to join in the dancing.

More information is available from the Clifden Tourist Office.

- 22nd June 2010 to 26th August 2010

Omey Races – Horse racing on the beach at Omey Strand

Omey is a tidal island 5 miles north-west of Clifden. The start time of the races along the Omey Strand completely depends on the tide but is usually around 11.30 am. For a horse race with a difference, in a truly unique location, the Omey Races can’t be beaten.

- 1st August 2010

Claddaghduff Pony Show

The Showfield in Claddaghduff village, overlooking Omey Island, is the picturesque location for the horse fair. Over the past decade, the number of entries to the show has risen steadily with 2006 showing a record 240 pony entries.

Among the highlights of the show are classes for in-hand and ridden Connemara Ponies and in 2007 the organizers added a foal championship to the list of in-hand classes.

If that isn’t enough to keep the kids entertained then perhaps they’ll enjoy the bouncy castle, slide and face painting that is also on offer.

- 8th August 2010

Connemara Pony Festival

The Festival of the Connemara Pony is a week-long celebration of the Connemara Pony breed. This breed has an excellent character combining intelligence and a hard working nature, ideal for the rugged Connemara hills. Their amiable character makes them excellent pets too while their sturdy build makes them good jumpers and fine show ponies.

The high point of this year’s festival is the Pony Show on Thursday 20th August which will include over 300 Connemara ponies on show.

- 16th August 2010 to 22nd August 2010

Clifden Community Arts Week

2010 marks the 33rd anniversary of this festival to celebrate all of the local artists. This year’s program includes poetry reading by Seamus Heaney, lectures, recitals, traditional music concerts and comedy.

Bring the entire family along and enjoy the lovely Autumn colours around Clifden, eat in one of the many wonderful local restaurants, and then be inspired by Ireland’s best artists as they intermingle and talk with locals and visitors alike.

- 16th September 2010 to 26th September 2010

Many visitors to County Galway are there to seek out the scenic Ireland that they’ve come to expect from movies and TV. In Connemara, they won’t be disappointed. The ideal option is to base yourself at one of Clifden’s hotels or B&B’s and circulate out from the town on day trips along the west coast of Ireland and inland around the Maumturk mountains and Connemara National Park by car, by bike or on foot.

car hire Galway
Compare car hire suppliers in seconds and find the best deal for car hire at Galway airport.

Connemara consists of a wild and barren region of countryside to the north west of Galway city. This area encompasses boglands, secluded valleys, the grey Maumturk mountain range and a multitude of small lakes. Its remote tranquil location has in recent times become a hive of small holiday homes for those seeking seclusion from the bigger towns around Ireland.

From Clifden, you are ideally situated to head east inland into the heart of the Maumturk Mountains. This grey and green mountain range and its wonderful Twelve Bens peaks (or pins, as the locals refer to them) offer a range of outdoor activities.

The mountains run north to south and the views across the valleys offer excellent vantage points to the ocean and the many small lakes that dot the landscape of Connemara. The range is ideal for rambling or mountaineering routes that can all be achieved within a day, but you would be better advised to savour the area by taking a few days to discover the valleys and mountain ranges at a relaxed pace.

For the energetic, and those wishing to walk off a hearty lunch, try taking the short trip east from Clifden to the Twelve Bens and follow the road north along the Lough Inagh valley. This route affords some truly wonderful scenic views and hill-walking opportunities that would be hard to beat in this part of the country. This 15 km route north finishes at Kylemore Lake and Kylemore Abbey from which you can circle west to Clifden via the Connemara National Park.

The jewel of the area is the scenic routes from Maam Cross heading north-west to Leenan and north-east to Cong. Take your time to stop off along this route and follow the sign-posted walking routes up into the foothills to take in the stunning mountain views.

Taking the coastal spin from Clifden to Spiddel (along the R341, R340 and R336) is to be recommended for the sea views, rugged coastline and pleasant harbor towns such as Carraroe, Roundstone and Ballyconneely Bay.

It is worth noting that what appears like a short 40 to 50 km route on maps of Connemara actually consists of winding country roads in a number of areas. While the roads are of good quality, these are twisty B-roads (especially along the coastal roads) and speeds will rarely rise about 50 kph when driving by car.

Routes, maps and general information are available from the Connemara Walking Centre in Clifden.

Clifden town, the capital of Connemara, prides itself as being the ideal base for visitors seeking outdoor activities in the scenic hills and mountains around this picturesque town. Thankfully after working up an appetite rambling, horse-riding, mountaineering, etc. in the region the town also has some excellent options for eating out that will suit all palates and budgets.

Most of Clifden’s hotels and pubs can provide hearty Irish favourites on their menus but the following four have just gone that yard extra with their service, locally sourced produce, ambience and mouthwatering dishes.

Marconi Foyles Hotel, Main Street, Clifden

This landmark Clifden hotel in the centre of town provides good food, good service, at reasonable prices, in pleasant surroundings.

The sea food is especially good (as can be said for all restaurants in town, given the excellent local produce). Well worth a visit, but just be sure to book your reservation especially in the high season.

Mitchell’s Restaurant, Market Street, Clifden

The menu at Mitchells is largely seafood as it is primarily a seafood restaurant. With the Atlantic Ocean on its doorstep, this restaurant makes the most of the local produce available with a menu full of monkfish, salmon, trout and other fish delicately and considerately prepared in a variety of soups, chowders and mains.

That said there are also chicken, duck and beef options on the menu and the obligatory traditional Irish stew. All meat is sourced from local farms around Clifden and is of an exceedingly high standard. Some local favourites include the stuffed chicken breast on tagliatelle and the fillet steak which are superb.

Early bird menus of 3 courses are available all year round. Service is friendly and efficient. This restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, but does get busy in the high season.

Steam Coffee House, Station House, Clifden

This is a nice little cafe in the grounds of the Station House Hotel Clifden serving lovely coffee and cakes.

A large percentage of their produce is sourced from the owners own organic garden fresh each day to make up the beautiful food, wine and home-made soups, desserts and freshly made salads that are served.

Twin this with probably the best coffee in Clifden, great service and pretty surroundings and you have the most wonderful place for lunch.

Fogerty’s Restaurant, Market Street, Clifden

Fogerty’s provide a broad range of dishes on their menu, enough to satisfy a multitude of diners. Everything from bangers and mash to beautiful seafood is available on their menu. Local favourites include the highly recommended lamb shank which is locally sourced and cooked to perfection with the meat falling from the bone.

The quality of the food is exceptional and their prices are very reasonable. Staff are attentive and very accommodating. Children are welcomed and brilliantly catered for.

They have an early bird menu for around €21 per person and are also open for lunch.

Clifden is the capital of the scenic region known as Connemara 80 km west of Galway in Ireland. The town itself is the largest in Connemara with a population of over 800.

This picturesque town at the head of Clifden Bay straddles the Owenglin River and consists of quaint houses tightly packed into winding streets with the only buildings of any height being the town’s churches and their steep spires.

The town has as its backdrop the Twelve Bens mountain range to the east of town and it is this scenery and location that sets up Clifden as the perfect base to establish for those exploring Connemara. The area provides excellent opportunities to enjoy an outdoor holiday with plenty of angling options, rambling routes, mountaineering for the more adventurous and of course a wonderful display of nature and wildlife.

A great many visitors to Connemara choose to experience the countryside by bicycle. This is the ideal way to see this countryside at a pace that is in step with the easy going pace of life in the region.  There are a number of locations in the town from which bicycles can be rented.

The nearby Connemara Walking Centre provides guided walking trips to local sites of geographic and natural interest in the areas. The Centre also provides maps and route details for ramblers and cyclists.

For those wishing to partake of a less demanding outdoor activity the Errislannan Horse Riding Centre (3 km south of Clifden) can hire out ponies for riding along Clifden beach or alternately for trips into the hills surrounding the village. Beginners’ lessons are also available.

After completing all these outdoor activities you will have no doubt worked up quite an appetite and Clifden does not disappoint in providing multiple options.

At the centre of town lies EJ Kings on the square that provide the option of hearty pub fare year round in their pub and the option of a slightly more formal  sitdown meal at their adjoining restaurant. Seafood lovers will adore Clifden’s dining options. The Salmon Leap Seafood Restaurant and O’Grady’s Seafood restaurant are the two stand-out choices in town with O’Grady’s being widely considered one of the best restaurants in Galway county.

Accommodation options in and around the town range from Clifden’s hotels and B&B’s through to a variety of hostels (all IHH associated) open year round.

Buses run daily from Galway to Clifden and Westport by Bus Eireann though the timetable is prone to change with the season so be sure to check on this or other information from the Clifden tourist office (on Market Street; open March to October) or the Galway tourist office.

Thank you for visiting the Clifden Hotels Headquarters. We have taken the time to organize information that should help you make the right hotel choice and get the best rates for hotel accommodation in and around Clifden Ireland and the surrounding region of Connemara.

Most Clifden hotels make a great set-off point for discover the surrounding Connemara countryside.

The following hotels in Clifden will prove to be just as memorable a destination as the beautiful scenery in which they are set.

Check Availability and Rates for All Hotels in Clifden Ireland

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

Set in a beautiful hillside location just outside Clifden, the 4-star castle hotel grounds and buildings are wonderfully picturesque. It has a very calm, relaxing and homely environment without the impersonal feeling of some of the larger modern hotels.

Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated with all modern amenities and views of the surrounding gardens and countryside.

As an added bonus, the hotel has its own tennis courts, facial treatments and beauty services, a sauna, restaurant and a bar/lounge.

..Check Rates and Availability | Show All

Renvyle House Hotel

Renvyle House

Set on its own grounds overlooking the bay, the Renvyle House hotel provides a romantic and relaxing environment. This country manor hotel has their own bar and award winning restaurant which often plays host to gourmet weekends.

Rooms are spacious and modern with west facing rooms sporting the best view of the bay. The decor throughout the hotel is traditional and elegant with an authentic Irish charm. The more energetic can partake of walks on the nearby beach, the 9-hole golf course or the seasonal outdoor swimming pool.

..Check Rates and Availability | Show All

Ardagh Hotel

Ardagh Hotel

This family run 3-star hotel situated overlooking Ardbear Bay on the outskirts of Clifden is conveniently located for a spot of fishing or golfing nearby.

All rooms are large with panoramic views of Ardbear Bay and tasteful furnishings, furniture and decor. The hotel offers wireless Internet access, room service during limited hours, a safe deposit box at the front desk, and billiards. Amenities featured in guest-rooms include coffee/tea makers and televisions. Bathrooms provide hair dryers and complimentary toiletries.

The Ardagh Hotel and Restaurant is the perfect place for a relaxing stay. The award winning restaurant on the second floor has magnificent sea views with spectacular sunsets and a fantastic atmosphere.

..Check Rates and Availability | Show All

Guesthouse and B&B Options

The following two B&B (bed & breakfast) guest houses are ideally situated in the heart of the village.

Get Rates, Availability and Deals

Arch Guesthouse

The Arch Guesthouse A friendly welcome, comfortable rooms. Hearty breakfast.

Gannons Guesthouse

Gannons Guesthouse A relaxed and accommodating guest house. Modern interior. The kitchen and living area is accessible 24/7. All inclusive home-made breakfast.

Connemara Hotels

Within a few short miles of Clifden there are a number of Connemara hotels and country houses that can offer some excellent accommodation options. So if you are flexible about your location then there are several highly recommended hotels within Connemara that are worth considering.

View All Connemara Hotels

Crocnaraw	Crocnaraw Country House - Moyard, Connemara. - Authentic Irish country house. - Homemade breakfasts. - Beautiful gardens & setting.	Roundstone House	Roundstone House Hotel - Roundstone, Connemara. - Large comfy rooms. - Excellent restaurant & bar. - Family run; Friendly staff.
Maol Reidh	Maol Reidh Hotel - Renvyle, Connemara. - Beautiful location close to beach. - Spacious modern rooms. - Own restaurant & bar.	Zetland Hotel	Zetland Country House - On Cashel Bay, Connemara. - Warm comfortable rooms. - Excellent restaurant & professional friendly service.
Cashel House	Cashel House Hotel - Cashel, Connemara. - Big old style house hotel. - Private beach and tennis courts. - All rooms with scenic garden views - Fantastic food.