Kinvara is derived from the Gaelic  "Cinn Mhara" which means "Head of the Sea" a name that gives an insight into its history. It has long associations with the sea and its past is recalled in the Annual Festival "Cruinniu na mBad" or "The Gathering of the Boats".


Probably the most famous landmark in the area is Dunguaire Castle, built in the 1500s, it is open to visitors from May to October and holds Medieval Banquets each evening during the season.  Kinvara is the first major stop on your personalized Guided Tour of The Burren.

Kinvara is home every year to two festivals, Fleadh na gCuach ("the cuckoo festival") an Irish music festival at the start of May, and the Cruinniu na mBad ("gathering of the boats") in mid-August. The turf was imported into Kinvara from the west of County Galway while barley, lime, and timber were exported from Kinvara. Turf, the main fuel used here prior to coal and oil, had to be imported as Kinvara is in an area without bogs. The festival started in 1979 and features a series of boat races as well as a variety of other events on the pier.

The Fleadh na gCuach (started in 1994) is a festival of Irish music that celebrates the old Irish festival of Bealtaine (the First of May), which in Ireland marks the start of Summer. The photo on the left shows The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, onboard a boat bringing turf to Kinvara during the festival.

 

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" We had a wonderful experience trying to find relatives. We had a private tour guide, Patrick, who took us to the end of the farthest peninsula. found distant cousins and in the end found dad's second cousin. He was professional and courteous."

Patty M, Texas, USA

 

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Satisfying the customer 

Over the years we have had several compliments on our drivers from many of our satisfied customers. Click on the link to "Tripadvisor" below to read, in full, the reviews of some of our many happy customers.

"We spent a wonderful day with Jim and are still raving about all we saw and did, as Jim showed us so many fabulous places. Your day will be very well spent if you can schedule Jim to show you this beautiful section of Ireland!"

Kathy J, Florida, USA

 

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IRELAND WEST TOURS

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