Overview
Derrigimlagh Bog is a vast, windswept expanse of peatland just south of Clifden. It might look like quiet countryside, but this stretch of Connemara has twice played a pivotal role in connecting the world. In 1907, Guglielmo Marconi used it to send the first commercial transatlantic wireless telegrams. Twelve years later, on a foggy June morning, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown crash-landed here in their Vickers Vimy bomber, completing the world’s first non-stop transatlantic flight. Today, the site is a free, open-air museum marked by a stone cairn, a striking tail-fin sculpture, and a gentle walking trail that winds past the remnants of early 20th-century engineering.
The Flight That Changed Aviation
The challenge began on 14 June 1919, when Alcock and Brown took off from St. John’s, Newfoundland, chasing the Daily Mail’s £10,000 prize for the first non-stop crossing in under 72 hours. Their aircraft, a modified First World War Vickers Vimy, was stripped of bomb racks and fitted with extra fuel tanks, a sextant, and two Rolls-Royce Eagle engines. What followed was a grueling test of endurance. Radio contact failed early on, and as they crossed the North Atlantic, they battled thick fog, snow, and severe icing. At one point, the plane spun dangerously close to the ocean surface. Navigator Arthur Brown had to climb out onto the wing six separate times to scrape ice from the controls and instruments by hand.
After 16 hours and 12 minutes in the air, they finally sighted the Connemara coast at 8:40 am on 15 June. Low on fuel and unable to locate a proper airfield, Alcock spotted what he believed was a flat green field. It was actually the soft peat of Derrigimlagh Bog. The Vimy’s wheels sank immediately, and the aircraft tipped nose-first into the mire. Both men emerged unharmed and were soon met by local farmer Tom “Cork” Kenny, who famously asked if they were “flying or sailing.” Their achievement earned them worldwide acclaim, the Daily Mail prize, and knighthoods from King George V.
Marconi’s Wireless Station
The bog’s connection to global communications actually predates the flight. In 1905, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi selected Derrigimlagh for a massive wireless station, drawn by its flat terrain, proximity to the Atlantic, and abundant peat for fuel. By 1907, the complex covered roughly 300 acres and functioned like a small industrial village. It housed a 350 ft × 75 ft condenser building, six steam-driven generators, and eight wooden masts standing 310 ft high to support the antenna. The station successfully transmitted the first commercial transatlantic telegrams to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.
Notably, Jack Phillips – the senior wireless operator who famously went down with the Titanic – worked at the Clifden station between 1908 and 1911. Technological advances and damage during the Irish Civil War in 1922 led to its closure, but the foundations and interpretive markers remain. Walking the trail, you can still trace the footprint of the condenser house and power station, with photoscopes overlaying historic images onto the modern landscape.
What to See & Do
- The Landing Cairn – Unveiled in 1969 for the flight’s 50th anniversary, this white stone marker sits at the exact spot where the Vimy’s nose buried itself in the peat. Nearby panels detail the aircraft’s specifications and the pilots’ harrowing journey.
- Errislannan Hill Tail-Fin – Erected in 1959, this 14-ft limestone sculpture shaped like an aircraft tail fin stands on a nearby hill. It offers clear views across the bog and the Atlantic, with a bronze plaque recounting the flight’s history.
- The Marconi Loop Walk – A 5 km circular trail that takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. The route mixes gravel paths and sturdy wooden boardwalks, keeping you dry while passing the ruins of Marconi’s condenser house and power station. Seven interpretive stops explain the technology and the aviation history. The walk is easy and family-friendly, though the boardwalks and uneven ground make it unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Clifden Market Square Statue – While not at the bog, a bronze statue of Alcock and Brown stands in Clifden’s main square. It is a replica of the original 1954 limestone monument that stood at Heathrow Airport. The replica was cast by Bronze Art Ireland and installed in 2019 to mark the centenary, bringing the aviators back to the town that welcomed them a century earlier.
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 | Toilet facilities are available at the Errislannan car park. 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 along the Wild Atlantic Way.
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. The site is also well signposted for cyclists, and several local shops in Clifden offer bike hire for those wanting to pedal the Marconi Loop at their own pace. Pack a rain jacket regardless of the forecast, and allow two hours to walk the trail, read the panels, and take in the bogland views.