The Sky Road is an exhilarating 11km/7ml circular drive west of Clifden. Leave Clifden passing the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (on your left). About 400 m beyond this hotel look back towards Clifden. The 12 Bens provide a wonderful backdrop to the town and along with the two church spires, they give Clifden its distinctive skyline.

Further along the road is a gateway leading to leading to the ruins of the old D’Arcy mansion, Clifden Castle. These ruins over look the sea and can be reached by going on a ten-minute walk down a farm track, near the Sky Road. Once a Gothic Mansion, the D’Arcy’s lived here until 1850 when the estate was sold to the Eyre Family who lived here at intervals until the castle fell into ruin in the early 20th century.

A little further along, the road separates to the left you can take the low road by the sea, but it is recommended to continue along the high road where the road climbs to a height of over 500ft. Along the high road you will pass the ruins of the old coastguard station on your left). As the road rises there are breathtaking views of the islands (Inishturk and Turbot), and the surrounding coastline. At the summit of the Sky Road peninsula there is a car park. Leaving the car park the road descends for a further 21/2 km where it meets the low road. Nearby are lovely beaches.

Continuing along for another 2kms there is a road off to the left, which is about 2km long and ends at Eyrephort the edge of the Atlantic.

Returning to the Sky Road again, you continue for a further 3km along the edge of Streamstown Bay, where there is a green Connemara Marble quarry. Eventually you will join up with the Clifden/Westport N59 Road.
Back to top