Why Visit Kinvara? - Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland

Why Visit Kinvara?

Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland

See Kinvara for its picturesque harbour town at the edge of the geographically interesting Burren,a unique area of karst limestone, hills and mountains. It’s on the musically famous Galway Bay and it’s not too far from the windy Cliffs of Mohr. Those are good reasons to see Kinvara. But the best reason is to visit the public loo in Kinvara!

The biggest underground river in Ireland gushes its way into the bay beside the 16^th century Dunguaire Castle. Fresh water from this river meets salt water from Galway Bay. It has highlighted the fact that the town needs an improved sewerage system. Local residents have banded together calling themselves KISS (KInvara Sewerage Scheme) in order to highlight their plight. You’ll see them wandering around town with “Give us a KISS” on their yellow T-shirts and jackets. They’re determined to get their KISS, even if it means doing something drastic to get it.

On Sunday, January 23, 2006, my husband, Alan, and I togged ourselves up in our thick jumpers and woolly scarves, found easy parking in Kinvara, and joined a crowd of people in The Pier Head Pub. We were all there to witness “The Launch of the Loo”. We had to fortify ourselves beforehand with a good pint of The Porter! Then we all trooped out to watch a strong oarsman rowing a loo in from some far point on the bay. With short ceremony he launched it into the middle of the harbour, where it will stay until the Kinvara sewerage problem is solved. KISS’s message for their cause is bobbing there, on its raft adorned with seaweed, being flushed with the tides - waiting for your visit. There’s no charge, but you will have to find a rowing boat to get to it.

While you’re visiting the loo in Kinvara this year, you might time your stay to coincide with one of two festivals. The Fleadh na gCuach (The Cuckoo Festival), a traditional Irish music festival that attracts musicians from all over the country. It is scheduled for the May Bank Holiday weekend from April 28 to May 1, 2006. The Cruinniu na mBad (the Gathering of the Boats Festival) celebrates the times when the majestic Galway Hookers transported turf (peat) across Galway Bay to Kinvara. The Gathering of the Boats is a thrilling rush of rust-brown sails and tar-painted boats on the waves. It takes place from August 19 to August 21, 2006.

After “The Launch of the Loo”, we were tucking into a deliciously creamy seafood chowder. I followed the chowder with a generous plate of roast beef and vegetables, while Alan mmm-ed and aah-ed over a thick poached salmon with a white sauce and vegetables. The whole meal, including two pints of beer and the tip, cost us $55.00.

You may like to book one of the many self-catering cottages you’ll find listed on Kinvara.com or stay at the thatched Merriman Hotel on the main street (Tel +353 91 638222 or email merrimanhotel@eircom.net).

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