Clifden Arts Festival – Connemara – Ireland 2025

Background & History

The Clifden Arts Festival, founded in 1977, is Ireland’s longest-running community arts festival, now in its 48th year. Held in Clifden, the heart of Connemara, County Galway, it transforms the town into a cultural hub each September. Initially a school-based event at Clifden Community School, it has grown into an 11-day celebration featuring music, literature, visual arts, theatre, and workshops.

The 2025 festival, running 17–28 September, will offer free community events and ticketed performances, with highlights like Hothouse Flowers and literary talks by Donal Ryan. Supported by local businesses and Fáilte Ireland, it emphasizes accessibility and Connemara’s cultural heritage.

Event Highlights

• Parade of Clifden: Traditional opening procession with schoolchildren and local performers, 17 September, Market Square, free.
• Music Performances: Concerts featuring Hothouse Flowers, White Horse Guitar Club, and Grosse Isle, 17–28 September, Clifden Station House Theatre, ~$15–$30 USD (ticketed).
• Literary Events: Readings and talks by Donal Ryan, Marina Carr, and Diarmaid Ferriter, 17–28 September, Clifden Library, ~$10–$20 USD or free.
• Visual Arts Trail: Over 30 artists’ works in shop windows and 20+ exhibitions, 17–28 September, town-wide, free.
• Workshops: Creative writing, music, and film for schools and public, 17–28 September, various venues, free or ~$5–$10 USD.
• Theatre & Comedy: Shows like Seamus O’Rourke’s Indigestion and Tommy Tiernan’s storytelling, 17–28 September, Clifden Station House Theatre, ~$15–$25 USD.

City

• Clifden, Co. Galway, Ireland: The principal town of Connemara, known for its scenic location between the Twelve Bens and the Atlantic Ocean, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to Connemara National Park.

Main Event Address

• Clifden Station House Theatre: Galway Road, Clifden, Co. Galway, H71 NW62, Ireland (main venue for ticketed events).
• Additional Venues: Clifden Library (Market Street), St. Joseph’s Church (Church Hill), town-wide for Arts Trail, and speculative Festival Dome for workshops.
• Box Office: Bridge Street, Clifden, Co. Galway, H71 A070, Ireland.
• Administrative Contact: Clifden Arts Festival, Bridge Street, Clifden, Co. Galway, H71 A070, Ireland (inquiries only).
• Note: Venues speculative except for Station House Theatre and Library; confirm at www.clifdenartsfestival.ie in July 2025.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 17–28 September 2025 (Wednesday–Sunday).
• Duration: 12 days.
• Opening Times (Estimated):
  • Weekdays: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (Arts Trail, evening events).
  • Weekends: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM (parade, performances).

Venue / Location

• Clifden Station House Theatre: Main venue for music and theatre, ~300 seats, accessible.
• Clifden Library: Literary events and talks, ~100 seats, free or ticketed.
• St. Joseph’s Church: Classical music (e.g., Irish Chamber Orchestra), free or ~$10–$20 USD.
• Arts Trail: Shop windows on Market Street and Main Street, free.
• Speculative: Festival Dome for workshops, near Bridge Street.
• Note: Full venue list TBD July 2025 at www.clifdenartsfestival.ie.

Contact Information

• Email: info@clifdenartsfestival.ie (general inquiries); boxoffice@clifdenartsfestival.ie (ticketing).
• Phone: +353 87 331 5009 (office hours).
• Website: www.clifdenartsfestival.ie
• Social Media: Follow @ClifdenArtsFestival on Facebook, Instagram, X.
• Ticketing: Purchase via www.clifdenartsfestival.ticketsolve.com (opens June 2025). Collect at Bridge Street Box Office from 17 September 2025.

Ticket Information (2025)

• How to Purchase: Buy online at www.clifdenartsfestival.ticketsolve.com (June 2025). Collect at Bridge Street Box Office (bring confirmation). In-person purchase at Box Office (cash/card). Group bookings and accessibility via boxoffice@clifdenartsfestival.ie. Cancellations until 31 August 2025 (~$5 fee). No refunds after 31 August. Book early for headline events (e.g., Hothouse Flowers).
• 2025 Pricing (Estimated, in USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.17 USD as of August 2025):
  • General Admission (Arts Trail, Workshops): $0 (free, supported by Fáilte Ireland).
  • Music & Theatre Performances: €15–€30 (~$17.50–$35 USD, e.g., Clifden Station House Theatre).
  • Literary Events: €10–€20 (~$11.70–$23.40 USD) or free for select talks.
  • Concession/Student: ~$2–$5 USD discount, ID required.
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for Arts Trail and workshops with supervision; ticketed events may be 16+.
• Additional Notes:
  • Prices estimated based on 2024 events (e.g., €15 for Music Network concert).
  • Free events include the Arts Trail, parade, and some workshops, per the festival’s community ethos.
  • Full pricing TBD July 2025 at www.clifdenartsfestival.ie.

Ticket Information (2024, as Requested)

• 2024 Pricing (Estimated, in USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.17 USD as of August 2025):
  • General Admission (Arts Trail, Community Events): $0 (free, e.g., visual arts, street performances).
  • Music & Theatre Performances: €12–€25 (~$14–$29 USD, e.g., Christy Moore concert, Lisa Hannigan show).
  • Literary Events: €8–€15 (~$9.50–$17.50 USD, e.g., talks at Clifden Library) or free for open readings.
  • Workshops: Free or €5–€10 (~$5.85–$11.70 USD, e.g., school-based creative writing).
  • Concession/Student: ~$2–$4 USD discount, ID required.
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for Arts Trail and workshops; ticketed events often 16+.
• Source Notes:
  • Based on web reports (e.g., €15 for Music Network concert in February 2024) and past festival patterns.
  • Exact 2024 prices not fully published; estimates align with typical Connemara event pricing.
  • Tickets were available via www.clifdenartsfestival.ticketsolve.com, with some events requiring pre-booking.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Celebrates Connemara’s heritage through music, art, and literature.
• Events & Festivals: 12-day multidisciplinary arts festival.
• Film, Literature & Book Fairs: Features literary readings and film workshops.

Cultural Significance

Since 1977, the Clifden Arts Festival has been a cornerstone of Connemara’s cultural identity, fostering community participation and showcasing global talent. It’s free Arts Trail and school workshops promote accessibility, while headline acts draw international visitors, boosting local tourism. Described as “Ireland’s best-kept secret” by Kazuo Ishiguro, it blends local and global arts, reinforcing Clifden’s role as a cultural hub on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venues: Snacks and drinks at Clifden Station House Theatre (~$5–$10 USD).
• Nearby Dining:
  • Connemara Hamper: Lower Market Street, Clifden (cheeses, smoked salmon, $5–$15 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Mannion’s Bar: Market Street, Clifden (pub fare, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Mitchell’s Restaurant: Market Street, Clifden (seafood, $15–$30 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Lowry’s Bar: Main Street, Clifden (traditional Irish, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at venues and nearby pubs; no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Arts Trail, parade, and workshops are free for all ages with supervision.
  • Ticketed events (e.g., concerts) may be 16+ due to themes or alcohol.
• Accessibility:
  • Clifden Station House Theatre and Library are wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
  • Contact boxoffice@clifdenartsfestival.ie for accommodations or ISL events (details July 2025).
  • Free events enhance affordability.

Getting There

• By Air: Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC, 90 km, 1.5-hour drive) or Shannon Airport (SNN, 150 km, 2.5-hour drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Bus Éireann Route 419 to Clifden (Market Street, 5-minute walk to venues).
• By Car: Free parking on Bridge Street; paid parking at Market Square (~$1.17 USD/hour, 5-minute walk).
• Rideshare: Local taxis from NOC (~$80–$100 USD).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Parade of Clifden: 17 September, 10:00 AM, Market Square, free.
  • Visual Arts Trail: 17–28 September, town-wide, free.
  • Music Performances: 17–28 September, Clifden Station House Theatre, ~$17.50–$35 USD (e.g., Hothouse Flowers).
  • Literary Events: 17–28 September, Clifden Library, ~$11.70–$23.40 USD or free.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Workshops: 17–28 September, creative writing and film, free or ~$5–$10 USD.
  • Theatre & Comedy: 17–28 September, Clifden Station House Theatre, ~$15–$25 USD.
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed events; full details TBD July 2025 at www.clifdenartsfestival.ie.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: Christy Moore, Lisa Hannigan, Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Diarmaid Ferriter at Clifden Station House Theatre.
• Past Achievements: Since 1977, hosted global artists like Kazuo Ishiguro, growing from a school event to a major festival.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Local Partnerships: Supports Connemara artisans (e.g., Connemara Hamper, Whitethorn Gallery).
• Waste Management: Recycling bins at venues; digital programmes encouraged.
• Note: 2025 sustainability details TBD; check www.clifdenartsfestival.ie.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Free or low-cost creative writing, music, and film sessions for schools and the public, 17–28 September.
• Literary Talks: Educational discussions on Irish culture, free or ~$11.70–$23.40 USD.
• Community Engagement: Free Arts Trail and school programmes promote arts access.

Cultural Activities

• Arts Trail: Free visual art displays, 17–28 September, town-wide.
• Parade: Free community procession, 17 September, Market Square.
• Music & Theatre: Ticketed performances, 17–28 September, ~$15–$35 USD.
• Workshops: Free or low-cost creative sessions, 17–28 September.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets ($15–$35 USD) for headline events sell out; book via www.clifdenartsfestival.ticketsolve.com (June 2025).
• Weather Prep: September in Clifden (50–60°F) is cool and rainy; pack waterproofs and layers.
• Explore Locally: Visit Connemara National Park (15-minute drive, $5 USD) or Kylemore Abbey (20-minute drive, $15 USD).
• Public Transport: Use Bus Éireann Smartcard (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.clifdenartsfestival.ie (no app).

Local Attractions

• Connemara National Park: Diamond Hill, Letterfrack (15-minute drive, $5 USD). Scenic trails.
• Kylemore Abbey: Kylemore, Connemara (20-minute drive, $15 USD). Historic estate and gardens.
• Clifden Castle: Clifden (10-minute walk, free). 19th-century ruins.
• Sky Road: Clifden (10-minute drive, free). Scenic coastal drive.
• Connemara Smokehouse: Bunnowen Pier, Ballyconneely (15-minute drive, tours ~$10 USD).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Clifden Station House Hotel: Galway Road, Clifden ($80–$150 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
  • Abbeyglen Castle Hotel: Sky Road, Clifden ($100–$200 USD/night, 10-minute drive).
• B&Bs: Alcock & Brown Hotel, Market Square ($60–$120 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Hostels: Clifden Town Hostel, Market Street ($20–$50 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Airbnb: Clifden apartments ($50–$120 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the September peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Clifden Station House Theatre; nearest hospital is University Hospital Galway (1-hour drive).
• Security: Minimal checks; Garda presence for ticketed events.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venues; bring umbrellas for the Arts Trail.