A Colony of Strangers by Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill

‘(Connemara) was inhabited by a race of people, wild, as its mountains, whose principal occupation was smuggling, about that time I undertook the difficult task of improving the lands and civilising the people, for which purpose I commenced building the town of Clifden’ – John D’Arcy 1831

In this book, Kathleen Villiers – Tuthill explores the history of Clifden, from its foundation by John D’Arcy, who inherited his family’s estates in 1804, through the difficult famine period, through to Clifden in modern times.

Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill, a native of Clifden, is the author of five books, two booklets and numerous articles on the history of west Co Galway. Her work is based principally on primary sources, from public archives and private collections. In recognition of her contribution to the heritage of the county, she has received two Heritage Awards from Galway County Council and an honorary Master of Arts Degree from NUI Galway.