Kinvara Guesthouse - Villa Maria B & B, Kinvara, Co. Galway

Galway County

Kilmacduagh Round Tower

Kilmacduagh round tower & monastic settlement dates back to the 7th century. The monastery is a fine example of the early monastic architecture in the west of Ireland .Its most notable feature is the 11th / 12th century tower measuring 111ft. This tower is unusual in that it tilts slightly to the left much like its more famous counterpart at Pisa, built several years later. Kilmacduagh round Tower is 15 minutes drive from “Villa Maria B&B .

Coole Park home to Lady Gregory. This park is a delight to literature & nature lovers alike. Lady Gregory played host to leading writers of the day, writers such as W B Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, John Mansfield, Sean O’ Casey, Doughlas Hyde Ireland first president, & Oliver St John Gogarty. Coole Park was demolished in the 1950‘s, however the stables were converted to an interpretative centre & tea rooms. The park is now a National Park & Wildlife Park. The ruined walls of the house remain & in Coole Parks' walled garden is the famous “Autograph Tree” which has the initials of many Cooles’ famous visitors. Here too you will find Coole Lake where the writer W B Yeats wrote about the nine and fifty swans. Coole Park is approx 15 minutes drive from “Villa Maria” B&B .

Thoor Ballylee the tower house is the fomer home of the famous poet W B Yeats. It was here in this tranquil setting that he wrote many of his finest works .It is now an interpretative centre on Yeats’ life & works & it has been magnificently restored by Ireland West Tourism to appear as it did when he lived there. There are audio visual presentation, a display of his first – edition books & Broad sheets, bookshop /craftshop, tea rooms, garden & picnic area, Tourist Information Centre & a Bureau de Change. It is open daily to the public. From June to September. Thoor Ballylee is approx 15 -20 minutes drive from “Villa Maria” B&B .

Athenry Castle

Athenry is one of the most notable medieval walled towns surviving in Ireland, owing its foundation to Meiler de Bermingham who built his Castle there c.1250. The great three-storey tower, surrounded by defensive walls, is entered at first-floor level through an unusual decorated doorway. Recently re-roofed, the interior contains an audio visual room and exhibition. Access to ground floor of Castle for people with disabilities. Athenry Castle is 20 minutes drive from Villa Maria B&B.

A monument representing the wing of a plane.
On June 15th 1919 Captain John Alcock ( Pilot) & Lt Arthur Brown ( navigator) flew a Vickers Vimy 1,900 miles from Newfoundland to Ireland in 6 hours & 12 minutes. They flew at approx 120 mph & landed not on firm ground but in the Derrygimlagh Bog near Cliften & so a monument representing the wing was erected on a nearby hill. The monument can be located approx 3km south of Cliften. One can walk along the track to the original landing site

The Browne Doorway has been in Galway’s Eyre Square for three – quarters of a century , it was removed from an old mansion in Lower Abbey Gate street & bears the arms of Brown & Lynch families dated back to 1627. It is now the entrance to the John F Kennedy memorial park better known as Eyre Square.

A plaque was erected adjacent to the fountain in Eyre Square in honour of John F Kennedy visit here in 1963 .It was from here that he addressed the people of Galway when he received the freedom of the city .This park is officially known as John F Kennedy memorial park.

The fountain was erected in Eyre Square, also known as John F Kennedy memorial park in 1984 to commemorate Galway Quincentenary. The fountain is shaped like the sails of a Galway Hooker fishing

Lynch’s Castle

Lynch’s Castle was restored in 1920. It is located at the corner of Abbeygate Street & Shop Street & dates back to around1320. The castle was renovated in the 19 century & is now a branch of the Allied Irish Bank. It front walls have decorative stones & inside the castle you will find a magnificent fireplace & some history on the house.

The Spanish Arch is Galway’s most important historic landmarks. Mediaeval Galway was almost completely enclosed by high walls at that time; however the dock area near the Spanish Arch was outside the walls. The Arch leads to the “Long Walk “ where in times past Galway gentry strolled. The Spanish Arch consists of two Arches. At the front of the Arch is the historic Fish market area & ajoining Spanish Parade. Here in this the Claddagh women came to sell their fish which was caught by the Claddagh fleeting ships, also beside the Spanish Arch is the city museum.

The university was founded in 1845 during the great famine (1845 – 1849). It was one of the 3 Queens colleges. It is beautiful situated on the bank of the river corrib with 260 acre campus , it is one of the most attractive in Ireland .Its faculties include ( Arts , Medicine , Celtic studies , Commerce , Engineering , Law Medicine & Science ) .It caters for 12,000 plus students of which 800 approx are from over seas. Among those who have received honorary degrees from the University are Seamus Heaney, Hillary Clinton & John Hume.

The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven & Saint Nicholas. This Cathedral was built on the site of the old Galway Goal – featured in Lady Gregory‘s “Goal Gate”. Dedicated in August 1965 by the Late Cardinal Cushing of Boston U.S.A. This Cathedral is built in cut limestone in a combination of classical & traditional designs, & has Connemara Marble flooring.

The Claddagh ring is known all over the world .In the last century the Claddagh was a closely knit fishing community. They appointed their own King who acted as sovereign, as well as Judge & Jury. He also deemed himself as Admiral of “Galway Bay” for it was he who decided the fishing rules in his domain. Like everyone else he wore a Claddagh ring with its symbol of heart, crown, & hands, which represents LOVE, LOYALTY & FRIENDSHIP.

The ring became popular as a wedding ring. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart pointing towards the finger nail it means that you are open to offers of marriage & if the ring is worn on the left hand with the point away from the nail it means that your heart is taken.
Galway Crystal

Galway Irish Crystal is 20 minutes drive from “Villa Maria “. It is situated on the N6 near Merlin Park Hospital on route to Galway city.

Galway Irish crystal is 20 minutes drive from “Villa Maria “. It is situated on the N6 near Merlin Park Hospital on route to Galway city.



	Picture Taken in Galway Countryside ©
		Galway County Kilmacduagh Round Tower Kilmacduagh round tower & monastic settlement dates back to the 7th century. The monastery is a fine example of the early monastic architecture in the west of Ireland .Its most notable feature is the 11th / 12th century tower measuring 111ft. This tower is unusual in that it tilts slightly to the left much like its more famous counterpart at Pisa, built several years later. Kilmacduagh round Tower is 15 minutes drive from “Villa Maria B&B . Coole Park Coole Park home to Lady Gregory. This park is a delight to literature & nature lovers alike. Lady Gregory played host to leading writers of the day, writers such as W B Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, John Mansfield, Sean O’ Casey, Doughlas Hyde Ireland first president, & Oliver St John Gogarty. Coole Park was demolished in the 1950‘s, however the stables were converted to an interpretative centre & tea rooms. The park is now a National Park & Wildlife Park. The ruined walls of the house remain & in Coole Parks' walled garden is the famous “Autograph Tree” which has the initials of many Cooles’ famous visitors. Here too you will find Coole Lake where the writer W B Yeats wrote about the nine and fifty swans. Coole Park is approx 15 minutes drive from “Villa Maria” B&B . Thoor Ballylee Thoor Ballylee the tower house is the fomer home of the famous poet W B Yeats. It was here in this tranquil setting that he wrote many of his finest works .It is now an interpretative centre on Yeats’ life & works & it has been magnificently restored by Ireland West Tourism to appear as it did when he lived there. There are audio visual presentation, a display of his first – edition books & Broad sheets, bookshop /craftshop, tea rooms, garden & picnic area, Tourist Information Centre & a Bureau de Change. It is open daily to the public. From June to September. Thoor Ballylee is approx 15 -20 minutes drive from “Villa Maria” B&B . Athenry Castle Athenry is one of the most notable medieval walled towns surviving in Ireland, owing its foundation to Meiler de Bermingham who built his Castle there c.1250. The great three-storey tower, surrounded by defensive walls, is entered at first-floor level through an unusual decorated doorway. Recently re-roofed, the interior contains an audio visual room and exhibition. Access to ground floor of Castle for people with disabilities. Athenry Castle is 20 minutes drive from Villa Maria B&B. Alcock & Brown A monument representing the wing of a plane. On June 15th 1919 Captain John Alcock ( Pilot) & Lt Arthur Brown ( navigator) flew a Vickers Vimy 1,900 miles from Newfoundland to Ireland in 6 hours & 12 minutes. They flew at approx 120 mph & landed not on firm ground but in the Derrygimlagh Bog near Cliften & so a monument representing the wing was erected on a nearby hill. The monument can be located approx 3km south of Cliften. One can walk along the track to the original landing site The Browne Doorway The Browne Doorway has been in Galway’s Eyre Square for three – quarters of a century , it was removed from an old mansion in Lower Abbey Gate street & bears the arms of Brown & Lynch families dated back to 1627. It is now the entrance to the John F Kennedy memorial park better known as Eyre Square. John F Kennedy Memorial Plaque A plaque was erected adjacent to the fountain in Eyre Square in honour of John F Kennedy visit here in 1963 .It was from here that he addressed the people of Galway when he received the freedom of the city .This park is officially known as John F Kennedy memorial park. The Fountain The fountain was erected in Eyre Square, also known as John F Kennedy memorial park in 1984 to commemorate Galway Quincentenary. The fountain is shaped like the sails of a Galway Hooker fishing Lynch’s Castle Lynch’s Castle was restored in 1920. It is located at the corner of Abbeygate Street & Shop Street & dates back to around1320. The castle was renovated in the 19 century & is now a branch of the Allied Irish Bank. It front walls have decorative stones & inside the castle you will find a magnificent fireplace & some history on the house. Spanish Arch The Spanish Arch is Galway’s most important historic landmarks. Mediaeval Galway was almost completely enclosed by high walls at that time; however the dock area near the Spanish Arch was outside the walls. The Arch leads to the “Long Walk “ where in times past Galway gentry strolled. The Spanish Arch consists of two Arches. At the front of the Arch is the historic Fish market area & ajoining Spanish Parade. Here in this the Claddagh women came to sell their fish which was caught by the Claddagh fleeting ships, also beside the Spanish Arch is the city museum. University (NUIG) The university was founded in 1845 during the great famine (1845 – 1849). It was one of the 3 Queens colleges. It is beautiful situated on the bank of the river corrib with 260 acre campus , it is one of the most attractive in Ireland .Its faculties include ( Arts , Medicine , Celtic studies , Commerce , Engineering , Law Medicine & Science ) .It caters for 12,000 plus students of which 800 approx are from over seas. Among those who have received honorary degrees from the University are Seamus Heaney, Hillary Clinton & John Hume. Galway Cathedral The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven & Saint Nicholas. This Cathedral was built on the site of the old Galway Goal – featured in Lady Gregory‘s “Goal Gate”. Dedicated in August 1965 by the Late Cardinal Cushing of Boston U.S.A. This Cathedral is built in cut limestone in a combination of classical & traditional designs, & has Connemara Marble flooring. The Claddagh Ring The Claddagh ring is known all over the world .In the last century the Claddagh was a closely knit fishing community. They appointed their own King who acted as sovereign, as well as Judge & Jury. He also deemed himself as Admiral of “Galway Bay” for it was he who decided the fishing rules in his domain. Like everyone else he wore a Claddagh ring with its symbol of heart, crown, & hands, which represents LOVE, LOYALTY & FRIENDSHIP. The ring became popular as a wedding ring. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart pointing towards the finger nail it means that you are open to offers of marriage & if the ring is worn on the left hand with the point away from the nail it means that your heart is taken. Galway Crystal Galway Irish Crystal is 20 minutes drive from “Villa Maria “. It is situated on the N6 near Merlin Park Hospital on route to Galway city. Galway Irish Crystal Galway Irish crystal is 20 minutes drive from “Villa Maria “. It is situated on the N6 near Merlin Park Hospital on route to Galway city.
	Reservation for Banquets at Dunguire Castle & tickets for the boat trip to the Aran Islands can be arranged through Villa Maria Guesthouse. For Further Information Contact: Mary & Jim Killeen, "Villa Maria" B&B, Ballycleary, Kinvara. Co. Galway Tel: + 353 (0)91 638117 Email: villamariakinvara@eircom.net