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Why would you want to visit Kinvara in Co. Galway, Ireland? You might say because it’s a 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 Moher? That’s a lot of good reasons. But the most pressing reason of all is that you need to visit the public loo in Kinvara! The biggest underground river in Ireland gushes its way into the bay beside the 16th century Dunguaire Castle. Fresh water from this river meeting salt water from Galway Bay 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, and you’ll see them wandering around town with “Give us a KISS” on their yellow tshirts and jackets. They’re determined to get their KISS, even if it means drastic action to get it. On Sunday (Jan 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’. Of course 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, and just 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 like to time your stay to coincide with one of two festivals. The Fleadh na gCuach (The Cuckoo Festival), a traditional Irish music festival which attracts musicians from all over the country and is scheduled for the May Bank Holiday weekend from April 28 to May 1, 2006; or Cruinniu na mBad (the Gathering of the Boats) which celebrates the times when the majestic Galway Hookers used to transport 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, and takes place from August 19 to August 21, 2006. After ‘The Launch of the Loo’, Alan and I sauntered up to the main street and settled into the restaurant at the back of Keogh’s pub. A few minutes later 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.
Article Source: http://www.articledestination.com
You may like to book one of the many self-catering cottages you’ll find listed on www.kinvara.com or stay at the thatched Merriman'd lik Hotel in the main street (Tel +353 91 638222 or email merrimanhotel@eircom.net). If you would like to read more about Connemara and Co. Galway, perhaps you'd like to check www.lyndacookson.com from time to time, for article excerpts and stories. Watch out for snippets from the Cookson Irish Times which will be coming to that site soon....
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