Kinvara- from the Irish “Cinn Mhara”, the Head of the Sea, this pretty fishing village retains its maritime location and connections. In the past more accessible by sea than road the village grew up around the harbour as can be seen by the focus of the numerous pubs lining the bay. Although sleepy at first sight, the village is home to two festivals of standing. The first, Cruinniú na mBád or the “Gathering of the Boats” dating from 1979 re-enacts the days before gas and electricity, when turf was the main fuel used for cooking and heating and the majestic Galway hookers sailed into Kinvara, ensuring a warm winter for the people of Kinvara and the Burren in general. The next is the Cuckoo Festival, (Fleadh na gCuach), which takes place on the bank holiday weekend and enables a better view of those cosy little pubs we mentioned earlier.