A-Z Placefinder
Towns of Galway
Kinvara —County Galway
Kinvara (Cinn Mhara) - 'The Head of the Sea', is County Galway's only prominent sea village on the southern shores of Galway Bay. It is situated at the head of Kinvara Bay. Dunguaire Castle guards this end of the bay, and is one of the most popular tourists spots in County Galway. Medieval-type banquets are held nightly each summer in this old 16th century tower house.
Kinvara was once a thriving port to which the necessities of life, such as turf (fuel), were brought by the traditional Connemara sailing craft in the 19th century. This trade is recalled each Summer in Cruinniu na mBad, a sea festival organised by the village, which sees the old boats compete in a host of exciting races and events.
