Page 220 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

218  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

the Burren to the west (see
pp190–91). Reputedly founded
by St Colman MacDuagh in
the early 7th century,
Kilmacduagh owes more to
the monastic revival which
led to rebuilding from the
11th century onwards.
The centrepiece of the
extensive site is a large, slightly
leaning 11th- or 12th-century
round tower and a roofless
church, known as the cathedral
or Teampall. The cathedral is a
Mural in the centre of Kinvara depicting a shopfront pre-Norman structure, which
was later remodelled in Gothic
u Kinvara Castle. It is perched just style, with flamboyant tracery
beyond some quaint thatched and fine tomb carvings. In
Road map B4. Co Galway. * 550. @
n Galway (091 537700). cottages and a stone bridge. the surround ing fields lie the
The castle is named after the remains of several other
One of the most charming 7th-century King Guaire of churches that once depended
fishing villages on Galway Connaught, whose court on the monastery. To the
Bay, Kinvara’s appeal lies in here was renowned as the northeast of the Teampall is
its sheltered, seaweed-clad haunt of bards and balladeers. the late medieval Glebe or
harbour and traditional sea- Although the medieval earth- Abbot’s House, a variant of a
faring atmosphere. From works survive, the present 14th- or 15th-century tower
medieval times, its fortunes castle was built in the 16th house (see p24).
were closely linked to century, a quintessential tower
Kilmacduagh, the powerful house (see p24) with sophis-
monastery and bishopric upon ticated machicolations. The o Thoor Ballylee
which the village depended. banqueting hall is still used Road map B4. Gort, Co Galway.
The pier is bordered by a row for “medieval banquets” with Ballylee Castle: @ to Gort.
of fishermen’s cottages. Kinvara Celtic harp music and the Closed due to flood damage; call
remains a popular port of call recital of Irish poetry. Galway Tourist Office on 091 537700
for sailors of traditional Galway to check if open. & = 7 limited.
hookers (see p215) and is known + Dunguaire Castle
for the Cruinniú na mBád Tel 061 360788. Open May–Sep: daily. For much of the 1920s, this
(gathering of the boats) festival & = ∑ shannonheritage.com beguiling tower house was a
in August. Rambles summer home to the poet W B
include historical and Yeats (see pp26–7). Yeats was a
nature trails. Bird- i Kilmacduagh regular visitor to nearby Coole
watchers may spot Road map B4. Outside Gort on Park, the home of his friend
teal, curlews and Corofin Rd, Co Galway. @ to Gort. Lady Gregory (1852–1932), who
oystercatchers Open daily. was a cofounder of the Abbey
by the shore. Theatre (see p92).
This monastic settlement is in On one visit Yeats came upon
Environs a remote location on the Ballylee Castle, a 14th-century
North of Kinvara, borders of Counties Clare and de Burgo tower adjoin ing a cosy
on a promontory Galway, roughly 5 km (3 miles) cottage with a walled garden
on the shore of south west of Gort. The sense and stream. In 1902, both the
Galway Bay, of isolation is accentuated tower and the cottage became
lies Dunguaire by the stony moonscape of part of the Gregory estate and

Round tower and cathedral, the most impressive monastic remains at Kilmacduagh
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp300–301 and pp318–20

218-219_EW_Ireland.indd 218 25/04/16 11:02 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm