Overview
People have been living on Errislannan for at least 7,000 years: a Stone Age waste pit full of oyster shells turned up behind Errislannan Manor, which is about as long a run of habitation as anywhere in Connemara. The headland (Iorras Fhlannáin, ‘Flannan’s Peninsula’) juts south-west of Clifden into the Atlantic, a patchwork of sheer cliffs, rolling moorland, a sandy bay and a quiet fishing harbour, all on one of the wilder stretches of the Wild Atlantic Way.
People come for the coastal views, the rock-fishing, a cold swim near the harbour and the Connemara pony stud at Errislannan Manor. One thing to plan around: the peninsula has no shops or cafés at all, so buy what you need in Clifden first.
History and heritage
The name and the old spiritual centre both trace to the seventh century, when St Flannan of Killaloe is said to have spent time here before moving east. What remains is St Flannan’s medieval church, a holy well and a natural boulder known locally as St Flannan’s Bed.
A hunting lodge went up on the headland in the 18th century and grew into the 220-acre Errislannan Manor estate, which became a cornerstone of local equestrian life – home to the Connemara branch of the Irish Pony Club and keeper of Connemara pony bloodlines since the 1950s. Aviation history marks the spot too: a tail-fin monument points toward Derrygimlagh Bog, where John Alcock and Arthur Whitten-Brown crash-landed their Vickers Vimy biplane in 1919 after the first non-stop transatlantic flight.
What to see and do
St Flannan’s church and holy well
The medieval church sits on a low rise overlooking Lough Nakilla, recently refurbished after storm damage and vandalism, so its access can vary; the stone exterior, the graveyard and the nearby leacht (a drystone wall with a niche) are open to all. Just past the modern burial ground is St Flannan’s Holy Well, a stone-lined feature ringed by a low dry-stone wall. Once a pilgrimage site on 18 December, it still draws quiet visits, with small tokens left behind. A short walk east leads to St Flannan’s Bed, the large boulder tied to the saint.
Coastal exploration and rock-fishing
Drive the winding R341 and its side roads, stopping at the pull-outs for cliff-edge views. The ‘White Lady’ rock formation near the harbour is a favourite with anglers, and the waters fish well on calm spring and summer mornings. The southern foreshore is worth a wander in its own right: an almost 2 km run of large rock outcrops noted in the Geological Heritage of County Galway. Many sections have no railings, so keep well back from the edge.
Errislannan Bay beach and wild swimming
A shallow, sheltered pool near the harbour makes a natural wild-swimming spot, the water clear and fairly calm. It is cold Atlantic water, though, so be sure you are happy in it before you go in. Errislannan Bay beach has clean sand and a gentle slope, good for a walk, a picnic or birdwatching.
Errislannan Manor: riding and gardens
Taking the home-bred Connemara ponies across the estate moors is the standout here. The riding centre runs pony trekking for all levels: morning sessions Monday to Friday at 10am and 11.30am, with private treks on request, and mares and foals are often out in the fields.
The estate gardens sit in a sheltered microclimate that lets rare camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and montbretia grow alongside drifts of daffodils and bluebells. As a member of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland’s ‘Gardens for Charity’ scheme, the grounds open daily on a voluntary donation. From the hilltop above the manor you get Clifden Bay, the Twelve Bens and the open Atlantic in one sweep – as good a view as Connemara offers.
Practical information
Getting there. Easiest by car. From Clifden, follow the R341 south for about 5km, then the local signs. The roads are narrow and winding, with the odd single-track section, so drive cautiously.
Public transport. A limited bus service links Galway and Clifden; the nearest stop is in Clifden, a 20- to 30-minute walk from the beach and church. Check the latest timetable, as weekend service is sparse.
Opening hours and fees. The peninsula, St Flannan’s Church grounds, the harbour and the beach are free and open around the clock. Pony trekking runs Monday to Friday (10am and 11.30am). The manor gardens open daily; a small donation is customary.
Dogs. The paths around the church and along the coast are dog-friendly, provided pets are on a lead near the cliffs and water.
Safety. Many cliffs have no railings; stay well back, especially when taking photos. The swim pool is cold, so only go in if you are comfortable with Atlantic temperatures.
For families. The short, well-marked coastal paths around the church and harbour suit children, with supervision near the cliffs and water. A picnic on the beach or in the gardens makes for an easy outing, and the manor car park has a ‘Tuck Shop’ the kids tend to remember.
Best time to visit. Spring and early-summer mornings give the softest light and the wildflowers at their peak. Late-spring afternoons bring strong colour across the moorland and gardens.
Nearby attractions
- Ballinakill Bay – a sheltered Connemara harbour with a sandy beach, good for kayaking and coastal walks.
- Benbaun – the highest peak in the Twelve Bens, with hard hikes and long views over the peninsula.
- Alcock & Brown Crash Site – the bog landing site just inland, marked by a tail-fin monument.
Book pony treks at least a week ahead in July and August, and check the tide charts before any wild swim or rock-fishing session at the harbour.