At the last meeting of the Gort Board of Guardians, Mr. Michael O’Donohoe (chariman) presiding, the following resolution was unanimously adopted, on the motion of Mr. Thomas. P. Corless, J.P., Co. C., seconded by Mr James Keane; That we, the Board of Guardians of the Gort Union, in view of the great distress in the Kinvara District and the great delay in commencing the repair of Kinvara Harbour, regret that the officials of the Galway County Council did not lay before the Council at their last meeting the plans of the Board of Works re Kinvara Pier and Harbour, and have them submitted to the Council for approval with a view to hasten the commencement of the work and give much needed employment.
Ballyvaughan Harbour Photo: Bob Jones Wikimedia Commons
The Ballyvaughan Regatta came off on Wednesday, at the village of Ballyvaughan, situate in the county Clare, and about eight miles from Galway across the bay. It was conducted under the patronage of the members of Parliament for Clare and the local gentry. The weather was most propitious, the day being exceedingly fine, and, by the way, was complained of by the ladies as being oppressive.
The number of spectators was very large, and not alone were the lovers of aquatics in Clare afforded an opportunity of enjoying themselves, but so also were the people of Galway, as the splendid little vessel, the Citie of the Tribes, gave an excursion trip from Galway at eleven O’clock, by permission of the directors, thus affording as enjoyable a day’s amusement as could be wished for, and one of the best your correspondent has enjoyed for some time. The sports consisted of seven races and were exceedingly contested and most creditably conducted.
https://widgetworld3.wordpress.com/podcasts/ Johnstons, Saint Joseph’s, Saint Anthony’s Hotel and Kinvara Harbour.During 1842-43 Thomas L. Cooke wrote articles for the Galway Vindicator about Kinvara, Co. Galway… KINVARRA
“Within a long recess there lies a Bay,
An island shades it from the rolling sea, And forms a port secure for boats to ride.”
Dryd. Virg.
Such is the geographical position of the harbour of Kinvarra, situate on the south east extremity of the bay of Galway. The entrance to Kinvarra bay is a moderately narrow one, lying between Durus head land on the west, and a point of Drumacoe parish on the east. Opposite to the mouth of this narrow channel is Eddy Island, which forms a natural breakwater protecting the little Delta of a bay within, from the rough seas that are occasionally reverberated from off the southern face of Kilcolgan point.
The village of Kinvarra is built on a gentle acclivity at the bottom of the bay, bearing the same name.
– The appellation seems to be derived from the Irish Ceann, the end or limit, and Mara, of the sea. –
This village is about five miles distant from New Quay, and is situate in the barony of Kiltarton, and county of Galway. Fairs are held here the 18th of May, and 17th of October annually. Kinvarra also is the name of the parish in which the village is situate, being a Vicarage in the Diocese of Kilmaduach.
This little town is the property of Mr. Gregory, of Coole, and has been much improved of late years. Many good houses have been erected – an excellent quay, wall and pier, have been built, and some good shops have been opened. Amongst the latter is an Apothecary’s establishment, kept by Dr. Hines where the infirm are supplied, on moderate terms, with medicine, and all meet with that attention and humanity, which is ever grateful to the invalid. There are several streets here, and the population is much employed in traffic. The market, is principally, remarkable for the sale of corn, bought up to be exported from hence. Adjoining the quay are temporary stocks, on which a superior class of sea boats are built.” Noah’s Ark, (1846), Edward Hicks (1780 –1849 Philadelphia Museum of Art The boats will gather in Kinvara for Cruinniu na mBad very soon – and the Ark will open its doors.
KINVARA HARBOUR
The harbour at Kinvara embraces a small inlet of Galway Bay, containing its waters along the fringe of the village. When you round the bend at Seamount College it presents itself, postcard perfect. We used to swim there, even had competitions – the most notable being the Green Island swim – a race from the pier to the small patch of green outside the Doctor’s surgery (beside Seamount) and back again. A trophy for the winner and a sense of pride for all else who actually completed it!
Kinvara Harbour has history – aspects of which can be found among Hansard Papers, Commons Sittings question and answer sessions. Kinvara Harbour page on widgetworld3 contains excerpts from these papers:
PIERS AND HARBOURS (IRELAND)— KINVARRA HARBOUR.
HC Deb 24 November 1882 vol 275 cc15-6
The Burren and Beyond 