Kinvara is a picturesque fishing village, located on
the South Shores of the famous "Galway Bay". The Irish name
for Kinvara is 'Chinn Mhara' which translates as 'the head
of the sea', and that is exactly where Kinvara is located -
at the head of Kinvara Bay.
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The entrance into Kinvara is marked by the remarkable 'Dunguaire
Castle' (above left), which is open to visitors from May to
October, and in which are held Medieval Banquets. The quaint
harbour still holds working examples of 'Galway Hookers'
(above right), the majestic sailing craft which used to ply
their trade between Connemara & Kinvara, carrying turf.
Kinvara celebrates its culture and heritage each year when
it hold two festivals, namely 'Cruinniu na mBad' and 'Fleadh
na gCuach'. Cruinniu na mBad (The Gathering of the Boats),
now heading into its 25th year, is Ireland's best know
Galway Hooker festival. The festival is held in August each
year.
Fleadh na gCuach (The Cuckoo Festival) which is held each
year on the May Bank Holiday Weekend is a Traditional Irish
Music festival, where one will find over 50 music sessions
in the villages' pubs. In addition to the music, one can
also find Art & Crafts, Poetry, Drama during the festival.
Kinvara boasts some 10 pubs including including M'Asal Beag
Dubh Bar named after the noted poet Padraic O'Connaire. Each
of these pubs are unique in their own respect, and some are
known to hold Traditional Irish Music on a regular basis.
Infact, Kinvara is known both nationally and internationally
for its music.
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