The settlement of Ballyconneely is beautifully situated on a scenic peninsula a few miles to the south of Clifden, the “capital of the Connemara”. The village is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean, and the region contains some of the most tranquil, unspoilt and interesting countryside to be found in this part of Ireland.
The peninsula is virtually ringed by beaches, and provides ideal opportunities for bathing and shore fishing. The flat land adjacent to many of the beaches contain shell middens and other evidence of ancient settlement of the area.
Ballyconneely’s name certainly pops up in a range of historical events. The first Salmon farming operation in either Britain or Ireland was established at the Dohulla Fishery in 1854.
On Sunday June 14th 1919, the first non-stop transatlantic flight ended about two miles from Ballyconneely Village. Capt. John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown had flown their twin-engined Vickers Vimy plane from Newfoundland, Canada, in just over sixteen hours.
They crash landed in a peat bog close to the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Station, set up by Guiglielmo Marconi, the Italian pioneer of wireless telegraphy in 1905, and from where the first transatlantic wireless message was sent to Cape Breton in Nova Scotia in 1907. A memorial has been established at the site of the landing.
Today the area is home to a vibrant, thriving community. The Connemara Golf Club is located between the Twelve Bens Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, just three miles from Ballyconneely in one of the most splendid settings imaginable. According to renowned golf writer, James W. Finnegan, the golf links of Connemara is
“a perfect reflection of the austere beauty that is the world of Connemara”.
At this point, my description and coverage of this most special part of Ireland has come to a close. Tomorrow, I will be bringing you details of another special part of the world.
Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com
One of the things that we remember fondly of our visit to the Connemara is the fantastic seafood that we enjoyed during our stay. Amongst the things that we enjoyed were the local oysters and a really memorable whole salmon that we cooked on an outside barbeque.
The town of Clifden was founded by John D’arcy in 1812, and was one of the later towns developed in Ireland. It is set in a panoramic vista, with the Atlantic Ocean the Twelve Bens mountains in the distance and the preserved boglands that are an integral part of Western Ireland.
Letterfrack provides a convenient access point to the Connemara National Park, which aims to promote landscape conservation.
Rent your accommodation for the week (or more) and do all the cooking yourself! This way you can cater for a family for small cost and enjoy Connemara on a budget. Accommodation can range from mobile homes to large spacious houses.
Human habitation in the region has been traced back about 7,000 years. At about this time, it was settled by small groups of hunter gatherers, following migrating animals and birds. During the 18th century, Connemara was considered by the rest of the country as a wild, strange and dangerous place where ancient habits and customs held sway.