Cleggan

Cleggan combines the everyday life of a working harbour with ferry trips to the islands, coastal paths and excursions on the water. Fishing vessels dominate the scene at Cleggan Harbour, and the ferry to Inishbofin also departs from there. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Cleggan, you will find a place where the harbour experience meets various ways to explore the surrounding area.

Harbour life and island connections

Cleggan Harbour lies at the end of Cleggan Bay and is an active working harbour. It is also the gateway harbour for Inishbofin and serves Inishturk too. The ferry to Inishbofin departs from the harbour; the crossing takes about 30 minutes. A return trip is available for this connection. This makes it possible to combine a stay in Cleggan with a visit to an island, while keeping the different destinations distinct: both the ferry to Inishbofin and the service to Inishturk are part of the harbour’s role as a starting point for journeys on the water.

Cleggan Harbour village centre also has accommodation, a pub, restaurants and a general store. You can pick up supplies there for the onward ferry trip to the island. Oliver’s Bar & Restaurant in the village serves fresh seafood. The harbour is therefore not just a place for departures, but also part of village life. Cleggan may be particularly appealing when choosing accommodation if you want to make the village itself and its ferry connection the focus of your stay.

On foot, by bike or on horseback

The walking trail from Knockbrack to Sellerna Beach starts in Cleggan village. It is 5 km long, takes about an hour and is considered easy to moderate, with a gently undulating route. Along the way, the trail follows Cleggan Bay, with views extending to Inishshark, Inishbofin and other smaller islands. Sellerna Beach is also within a short walking distance of the village. This lets you choose between a designated walk and a shorter visit to the beach, without assuming they take the same amount of time.

You can also explore the area by bike: the Cleggan Loop is a signposted route on the Aughrus Peninsula, marked as Cycle Route 3. A description and map are located beside the harbour. The route covers more than Cleggan itself, offering a way to venture beyond the village by bike. If you prefer a guided experience, Cleggan Beach Riding Centre offers guided rides on Cleggan Beach; the activity is also suitable for complete beginners. Walking, cycling and horse riding offer different ways to include the coast and surrounding area in your holiday plans.

Boat trips and history

Cleggan Sea Safaris offers a four-hour boat trip to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. There is also a three-hour sea fishing trip; bait and fishing tackle are provided. A heritage tour visits archaeological sites and hidden places on Inishbofin and Inisturk North. Each excursion has its own focus: wildlife watching, fishing or archaeological discoveries. If people in your travel group have different interests, you can choose the type of experience that best suits your planned stay.

Another historical destination is Cleggan Tower on Cleggan Hill. Remains of the signal tower, built in 1816, have survived. It was built amid fears of an invasion by Napoleon’s troops. The tower adds a glimpse of the area’s history to today’s ferry and leisure activities. The range of things to do thus extends from the harbour’s active use to walks and boat trips, and a structure with a clearly stated historical purpose.

Cleggan can be reached from Galway by bus or car; Citylink Coaches provides the bus service to Cleggan. You can view more destination pages here: Spiddal, Shantalla, Tully Cross, Tuam, Kylemore, Caherlistrane, Ballyshrule, Maam Cross.

For the wider travel overview: Galway.