The original Clifden Glen estate was gifted by John Darcy, founder of Clifden to his son Hyacinth, Church of Ireland Rector of Clifden, who built the original house in 1822. The core of the Club House is located within this original building which has always been known as Clifden Lodge.

The Galway to Clifden railway line existing from 1895 to 1935 ran alongside the original embankment and now forms the roadside boundary of Clifden Glen. The western end of the estate overlooking the town of Clifden includes the remains of a pre-famine clachan settlement of some nine cottages with associated field systems and dry stone walling.

The lower south facing slopes at the Clifden end contains a plantation of sessile oaks which date from the mid-19th century. In addition there are areas which contain natural planting of native birch, willow and sycamore. A botanical study of the summer flora was carried out in 2000 which showed the estate to have a rich variety of flora species.

The Owenglin, a spate river, runs for approximately two kilometres beside Clifden Glen. A spate river is largely a summer phenomenon created by sudden run off from the surrounding hills which produces, for a relatively short time period, substantial increases in the water levels of the river. The Owenglin is also a noted salmon and trout fishery the right to which are owned by the Clifden Trout Anglers Association. Anglers by tradition have been allowed access along the river within two metres of the river bank. Fishing permits can be purchased locally in Clifden.

The field in front of our Club House is known as Wood's field and this was for many years the location of the annual Clifden pony races. At other times it was used as a playing pitch by the Connemara Rugby team.

Clifden Glen is a very special place. Thanks John and Blaithín.

Our thanks to John Baragwanath, the founder of Clifden Glen, for this historical background. John is seen in the picture standing on the Owenglin Bridge that had to be built to gain access to the Clifden Glen site. This picture was taken in 1992 and the Bridge is now appropriately called Baragwanath Bridge.