Other Forms of the Name with authority source (if provided) in italics:
Clifden (town of)
Clifden (town of) Inhabitants
Cloghaun (Irish) Inhabitants
Description:
Clifden or Cloghaun in Irish implies stepping stones formerly on Glen River (which washed the town) prior to the erecting the Bridge and from which this town derives it s name. It was built in 1809 under the patronage of Mr. D’Arcy, Esq., proprietor whose daily exertions render it a very thriving town. Its streets which are clean and regular but not paved are about 70 feet wide. It contains 185 houses exclusive of 15 paupers of which about 8 are 4 story high including 3 storehouses and the greatest number of the rest are 3 story high, and according to a census taken in 1828. Has a population of 1,100. In this town are some houses of mercantile business, with 2 Hotels and 23 Licensed Public Houses in which is a great consumption of ardent spirits pursuant to an excise return in 1838 and 9 are at an average 12,500 gallons annually. It contains an Established Church, a Roman Catholic Chapel, a Monastery and 3 schools; besides a Police Barrack for 20 men, a Gaol for 100 prisoners. It has also quarter sessions, petty sessions, quarterly fairs and weekly markets on Saturdays. The chief commodities bought and sold being pigs and some sheep, potatoes and fish. Chief trades are Shoemakers, Tailors, Carpenters, Blacksmiths and Linnen Weavers.