Nestled between the world-famous Burren landscape of Clare and the buzz of The City of Tribes, the beauty of Kinvara knows no bounds. Featuring unreplicable views of the sea and home to the photogenic Dunguaire Castle, each visit to Kinvara will nourish your soul. Whether you're planning a rural getaway or you want to shake off the buzz of city life for a night, we've got the inside scoop on where to go and what to do while you’re in the area.
FOOD & DRINK
SIAR
Run by a team of like minded coffee loving foodies, SIAR is the place to taste delicious food, hear live music, browse some natural wines and generally enjoy meeting family, friends & colleagues over a coffee or glass of wine. SIAR offers specialty coffee from Burren roasted Anam Coffee, house made cakes with vegan and gluten free options, alongside a delicious menu of sandwiches, dhals, curries and salads. Their wine selection comprises natural and biodynamic wines and always stocks new flavours and styles and their shelves are filled with Irish products and gifts that are available for purchase.
Brogan House, The Quay // more here
above; SIAR, photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
The Pier Head Bar & Restuarant
Located along the picturesque Kinvara Quay, The Pier Head Bar & Restaurant brings together mesmerising sea views and a friendly atmosphere with traditional Irish food and drink. It is the perfect location for a bite to eat while you’re exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, or if you fancy a meal outside Galway city with tranquil views and an inviting, local vibe. Open 7 days a week, their lunch and dinner menus feature all the local favourites and include a variety of seafood options, all of which have been sourced locally.
The Quay // more here
Connollys Kinvara
This newly renovated bar and restaurant is the talk of the town and we are really not surprised! Downstairs you’ll find creamy pints and Irish trad music. Upstairs, a gorgeous world of gastronomy awaits! Led by culinary virtuoso Jason O’Neil, the food menu highlights the flavours and quality of the region’s produce. In addition to this, upstairs is home to an extensive wine cellar with a collection of wines, from France to Armenia.
The Quay // more here
Linnane's Lobster Bar
Linnane’s Lobster Bar, while not strictly in Kinvara but too close and too delicious to leave out. Sit on the terrace and watch the boats fishing for Shellfish that can literally be served to your table. Stunning food in the heart of the Burren. A must of either lunch or dinner, Linnane's serve food with an emphasis on fresh local produce, sourcing from within the Burren area where possible. They are famous for their seafood but can cater to all tastes as well.
New Quay, The Burren // more here
above: courtesy of Linnane's Lobster Bar
Green's Bar
The eye-catching family owned and ran Green’s Bar is a traditional Irish pub at its finest, especially if experiencing some ceoil and craic is on your itinerary. Green’s Bar has also established a reputation for it’s trad music sessions, many of which are impromptu. Sometimes these sessions feature well-known musicians, more often talented local musicians, and always welcoming visiting musicians to join in.
Main St // more here
Keogh's of Kinvara
Worth every bit their weight in gold, Keogh's go above and beyond with their exceptional service and gorgeous menu. This stunning, family-run business comes highly recommended by everyone who just popped in for a bite of food and found themselves being blown away by the lovely staff who manage to make every meal feel special. Call in for breakfast, lunch or dinner or for a few cheeky cocktails and see for yourself why this spot is always worth the visit.
Main St // more here
SLEEP
Slow Cabins
Located less than 1km from the charming Kinvara village, Slow Cabins are tucked away amongst nature at the Burren Nature Sanctuary. They offer a homely off-grid cabin experience designed to help you relax and recharge in nature. These cabins offer guests a chance to enjoy a slower pace of living, with each cabin suitable for up to 2 people sharing, and pets are welcome. This self-sufficient lodging means living without direct connection to mains electricity or water. Not only are you going back to basics (in comfort), you also gain more respect for nature and the environment and that’s a big part of what Slow Cabins stand for. For more on this concept please tap here.
Burren Nature Sanctuary, Cloonasee, Kinvara // more here
above: courtesy of Slow Cabins
Kinvara Guesthouse
Experience a top class 4 star bed and breakfast stay at Kinvara Guesthouse. It's a perfect launching point for all your adventures across the West of Ireland, being only a short drive away from Hazel Mountain Chocolate and the Burren Nature Sanctuary. They also have beautiful self catering thatched cottages available for your stay, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a cosy homely atmosphere. Located just a 5 minute walk from the village, these thatched cottages are perfect for families or groups.
The Square // more here
Fallon's Bed and Breakfast
A 10 minute walk from the historic Dunguaire Castle and close to various nature trails, Fallon's B&B is ideally situated in the heart of Kinvara village. Unwind in the comfortable rooms that come with all the modern conveniences you could want alongside a warm, family welcome that makes you feel right at home. The team at this family run B&B love nothing more than sharing their knowledge of the local area and its history over a warm cup of freshly brewed tea, so be sure to have share a cuppa and a chat and you'll find yourself falling in love with Kinvara.
Main Street // more here
SHOP
The Secret Garden
This craft shop is a treasure trove, jammed full of candles, fairies, jewellery, original artwork, fair trade pieces and everything in between. It is so hard to resist picking up a one-of-a-kind ornament, memento or a souvenir to bring back home to a loved one. The store is a support system for local artists, giving them the platform to showcase their work in the upstairs gallery. There are also home to a very cute fairy garden!
The Quay, Dungory West // more here
above: courtesy of The Secret Garden
Kinvara Farmers Market
The origins of many well-known Galway brands, Kinvara Farmers Market runs every Friday on Courthouse Rd. Stalls line the street with everything from tasty home-baked treats to artisan crafts. There is also live music by local musicians, which sets the scene for a wholesome shopping experience. Make sure you call by!
Courthouse Rd // more here
DISCOVER
Dunguaire Castle
One of the most photographed castles in the West of Ireland, Dunguaire Castle is a 16th century tower house that has stood proudly on the site of the 7th-century stronghold of Guaire, the King of Connaught, for centuries. Bridging centuries of Irish history, this castle provides an in-depth insight into the lives of its inhabitants throughout the generations. Dunguaire also hosts medieval banquets and entertainment evenings, featuring extracts from literary greats such as Synge, Yeats, Shaw and O’Casey.
Dungory East, Kinvara // more here
Traught Beach
Take a break from the ol' traveling and give the legs a bit of a stretch along Traught Beach's gorgeous coastline. This blue flag beach is a great spot for a swim or a walk with your family and when you're busy traveling a stop off at the beach is always a must. Situated right along the Wild Atlantic Way a day out at Traught Beach is a day well spent.
Traught Beach // more here
Burren Nature Sanctuary
The perfect introduction to the beautiful biodiversity of The Burren region, Burren Nature Sanctuary offers days of fun and discovery. Stroll the natural trails in the ancient woodlands, meet friendly farm animals and learn about the area’s unique flora and landscape. Just remember to bring your camera as you never know when a photo opp will present itself!
Cloonasee // more here
KAVA - Kinvara Area Visual Arts
KAVA promotes the visual arts and artists, embracing creativity in the local community. They frequently are hosting different events that are always worth paying a visit too. Highlighting the work of local artists, KAVA provides an opportunity to discover some incredible exhibitions and they've got a stellar lineup of events planned for the year ahead, so make sure you check their programme when you're in town.
Kinvara's Courthouse // more here
above: courtesy of KAVA
