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Ballyconneely ~
Clifden
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This peninsula, jutting into
the Atlantic between Clifden to the north and Roundstone to
the south, contains some of the most tranquil, unspoilt and
interesting countryside to be found anywhere in the country.
Its name translates from the Irish as Conneelys Village, and
is based on the old civil parish of Ballindoon which in turn
was named from the old fort or cashel on Doon Hill. |
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The peninsula is virtually ringed by beaches - from the
Coral Strand at Derrygimla, west and north to Knock, Mannin,
Dunloughan and Truska, and east and south from Keeraunmore,
Aillebrack, and Ballyconneely Bay to Calla, Dolan and Murvey.
As well as being ideal for bathing, some of those beaches
provide excellent bases for shore fishermen.
Connemara, or
Ballyconneely Golf Club, as it is also known,
is located between the Twelve Bens Mountains and the
Atlantic Ocean, 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". Originally opened as an 18 hole venue, Connemara
Golf Links has offered 27 holes of sublime links golf since
2001. The course was designed by renowned Irish course
architect, Eddie Hackett and completed by Tom Craddock. And
while Connemara Golf Club may be located on one of Ireland
most westerly tips, make no mistake that it is worth the
trip. Like the many other great links of the west and
northwest, Connemara remains a largely underplayed (if not
hidden) gem but its quality is not for debate. As renowned
golf writer and commentator, Peter Alliss said "if there
were a course like this on the west coast of England, it
would surely host the British Open." |
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Ballyconneely has been to the
forefront in many historic projects and events. As early as
1854 the first Salmon farming operation in either Britain or
Ireland was carried out on the Dohulla Fishery. More
famously, on Sunday June 14th 1919, the first transatlantic
flight ended in the Derrygimla Bog, about two miles from
Ballyconneely Village. Capt. John Alcock and Arthur Whitten
Brown had flown their Vickers Vimy plane from Newfoundland,
Canada, in just over sixteen hours. |
They landed virtually within yards of 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.
Ballyconneely is also renowned for its breeding of the world
famous Connemara Pony, with numerous home and overseas
champions being produced here. Legend has it that the breed
originated as a result of a number of Arab Horses coming
ashore from a Spanish shipwreck, near Slyne Head, and
breeding with the small native pony. An annual show and sale
is held in the village on the 3rd Sunday in July.
Three miles to the east, there is the Roundstone Bog, a vast
expanse of moor, lake and stream, teeming with undisturbed
wildlife and rare plants, an area which is almost haunting
in its serene tranquility, especially in the early morning
and late Summer evenings. Our already mentioned beaches, as
well as providing excellent bathing have an abundance of
edible shellfish and molluscs accessible at low tides. These
include Clams, Cockles, Mussels, Razorfish, Sea Urchin,
Shrimp and Scallops, and with local knowledge, the
occasional Lobster! |
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