Overview
Nestled in the quiet expanse of Derrigimlagh Bog, just four km south of the town of Clifden, lies the Alcock & Brown Crash Site. A modest white stone cairn marks the exact spot where Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown brought their Vickers Vimy bomber to a halt on 15 June 1919, completing the world’s first non‑stop trans‑Atlantic flight. The commemorative landscape also includes a striking 14‑ft limestone tail‑fin sculpture on Errislannan Hill and a bronze statue in Clifden’s Market Square – all free to visit year‑round.
Statue History
The bronze Alcock & Brown statue now standing in Clifden Market Square was originally commissioned by the British Government and unveiled at Heathrow Airport’s Academy in 1954. Designed by sculptor William McMillen, the 11‑foot‑high limestone figure shows the pilots in full aviator dress. To mark the centenary of the flight, the statue was carefully transported to Ireland in May 2019, displayed for eight weeks at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel and then permanently installed in the Market Square, where it remains today.
History & Significance
After the First World War, Alcock and Brown set off from St. John’s, Newfoundland, in a modified Vickers Vimy equipped with extra fuel tanks, a sextant and two Rolls‑Royce Eagle engines. Their aim was to win the Daily Mail’s £10,000 prize for the first nonstop crossing of the Atlantic. After 16 hours 12 minutes battling fog, ice and engine trouble, they sighted the Irish coast at 8:40 am on 15 June 1919. Mistaking the soft peat of Derrigimlagh Bog for a field, they attempted a landing; the aircraft’s nose sank into the mire but both men escaped with only minor bruises.
The landing sparked celebrations across Ireland and Britain. Local farmer Tom “Cork” Kenny greeted the aviators, famously asking, “Are you flying or sailing?” The pilots were later presented with telegrams from King George V and Prime Minister David Lloyd George, collected the Daily Mail prize from Winston Churchill, and were knighted for their achievement.
Two memorials commemorate the event:
- Errislannan Hill Tail‑Fin (1959) – a 14‑ft limestone sculpture shaped like an aircraft tail fin, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic and the surrounding Connemara landscape.
- Derrigimlagh Cairn (1969) – a stone marker placed at the exact landing spot, unveiled on the flight’s 50th anniversary.
The site also shares its ground with the ruins of Guglielmo Marconi’s early 20th‑century wireless station, which transmitted the first commercial trans‑Atlantic telegrams from the same bog in 1907.
Marconi Wireless Station
Marconi chose Derrigimlagh because of its proximity to the Atlantic, abundant peat for fuel and a fresh water source. The complex, built from 1905‑1907, featured a 350 ft × 75 ft condenser house, six steam‑driven generators, and eight wooden masts each about 310 ft high that supported the antenna spanning over half a kilometre. In 1907 the station sent the first commercial wireless messages to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. It operated until it was superseded by a larger station at Caernarfon, Wales. During the Irish War of Independence the site was attacked in July 1922, leading to its eventual closure and the sale of its equipment.
Events & Commemorations
In June 2019 the centenary of the flight was marked by a week‑long festival in Clifden. Highlights included:
- A live re‑enactment of the 1919 landing on Derrigimlagh Bog.
- Screenings of an Alcock & Brown documentary featuring Tony Alcock MBE, a surviving relative of Captain Alcock.
- An artefacts exhibition displaying surviving parts of the Vickers Vimy.
- Guided tours of the crash site and the Marconi station by local historians.
- The temporary relocation of the bronze statue to Abbeyglen Castle Hotel before its permanent placement in the town’s Market Square.
Nearby Events
Clifden hosts a lively cultural calendar that can be combined with a visit to the crash site:
- Clifden Arts Festival (September) – a month‑long celebration of visual arts, theatre and music.
- Clifden Trad Festival (April) – traditional Irish music, song and dance sessions.
- Clifden Summer Music Fest (July) – concerts across venues in town.
- Connemara Pony Show (August) – a showcase of the native Connemara pony.
What to See & Do
- The Cairn and Interpretive Panels – The white stone cairn marks the landing point. Nearby panels detail the Vimy’s specifications (67‑ft wingspan, 43‑ft length, two 360 hp engines) and recount the dramatic moments of the flight.
- Tail‑Fin Monument on Errislannan Hill – A 14‑ft limestone sculpture shaped like an aircraft tail, accompanied by a bronze plaque explaining the flight, the prize money and the pilots’ wartime backgrounds.
- Viewing Platform – A small platform near the cairn offers unobstructed views across Derrigimlagh Bog, the Twelve Bens and the Atlantic – a favourite spot for sunrise and sunset photography.
- Marconi Loop Walk – A 5 km (≈1.5 hour) loop across board‑walks and gravel paths that passes the cairn, the ruins of Marconi’s condenser house and offers gentle bog‑land scenery. The trail includes seven interpretive stops that tell the story of the wireless station and the trans‑Atlantic flight. The walk is easy but not wheelchair‑friendly.
- Bronze Alcock & Brown Statue – Situated in Clifden’s Market Square, the statue depicts the pilots in full aviator dress and was installed after the 2019 centenary celebrations.
- Bike Hire – Clifden Bike Shop offers bicycles for hire, making it easy to cycle the Marconi Loop or the scenic Sky Road.
- Nearby Attractions – A short drive brings you to Clifden’s Market Square, the Wild Atlantic Way coastal drive, and the historic Kylemore Abbey estate.
Visitor Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open daily, all year |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Free car park at Errislannan (signposted “Alcock & Brown Landing Site”) |
| Public transport | Citylink buses run between Galway city and Clifden; from the Clifden bus stop a short taxi ride or a 20‑minute walk brings you to the site |
| Accessibility | Cairn and tail‑fin monument reachable via short, level paths. The Marconi Loop includes board‑walks and occasional steps, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users. |
| Dog policy | Dogs are welcome on the Marconi Loop but must be kept on a lead |
| Facilities | Restroom facilities are available at the Errislannan car park (verify on arrival). A café in Clifden town centre offers refreshments. |
| Best time to visit | Late spring to early autumn provides the most reliable weather and the longest daylight for the loop walk. Autumn colours add extra visual interest. |
| Safety tips | The bog can be wet underfoot; wear sturdy shoes and bring a waterproof jacket. Keep to the marked board‑walks, especially after rain. |
Nearby Attractions
The crash site makes an ideal base for exploring the wider Connemara region. Consider adding a visit to:
- Connemara National Park – home to the Twelve Bens and Diamond Hill.
- Kylemore Abbey – a neo‑Gothic estate with Victorian walled gardens.
- Sky Road – a 16 km scenic loop offering dramatic coastal vistas.
- Clifden Castle ruins – visible from the Sky Road drive.
- Benbaun – the highest peak of the Twelve Bens (Benbaun).
All of these are within a short drive from the Alcock & Brown Crash Site and can be combined into a full‑day itinerary.
Getting there – From Clifden, follow the R341 south for about 2 km; signs for the “Alcock & Brown Landing Site” appear near the Errislannan car park. If you are travelling from Galway city, take the N59 to Clifden (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes) and then follow the local signs.
Accessibility – The cairn and tail‑fin monument are reachable via short, level paths. The Marconi Loop Walk involves uneven board‑walks and is not suitable for wheelchair users.