Kinvara Community Council: Our April monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday 16th April at 8pm and we encourage all members of the community to attend these meetings where discussion and debates on any items put forward on the agenda are always welcome. All sub groups who are affiliated to Kinvara Community Council must send a representative to every KCC meeting in order to maintain their benefits. Any items for inclusion on the agenda must be emailed in by Tuesday 15th April and you must be there to present your item.

Merriman Hotel: Kinvara Community Council met with TDs Sean Canney (Ind), Albert Dolan (FF), Louis O’Hara (SF), Peter Roche (FG), Senator PJ Murphy (FG), and Councillor Paul Killilea (FG) to discuss the decision to use the Merriman Hotel as an IPAS centre for another two years.

We had a constructive and open discussion with our elected representatives, outlining the serious impact this will have on our local economy and community life. Kinvara has always welcomed refugees, but we believe responsibility must be shared fairly nationwide. The government’s policy states that no town should lose its only hotel in this way.

Minister Sean Canney has committed to meeting the Taoiseach to discuss our concerns. After An Taoiseach has been briefed, a follow-up meeting with East Galway Oireachtas members will take place, and we will receive an update shortly after.

Kinvara Community Council supports the humane treatment of Ukrainians at the Merriman Hotel. We demand that no immediate action be taken to remove these guests without proper consultation.

We ask the community to remain patient as we work through proper channels to find a fair and peaceful resolution. Please continue to support the campaign by contacting Oireachtas members and making your voice heard

Kinvara Heritage Group say a heartfelt thank you.- What a welcome the people of Kinvara gave to the Cresswell Comes Home exhibition! We had an incredible turnout. From adults who were featured as children in the images, to family and friends of those long since passed, from those who remembered being schoolchildren in the 1950s, to the current pupils and schoolchildren of Kinvara, the footfall was remarkable! A heartfelt thank you everyone who helped on the opening night, and during the week of the exhibition.

To everyone who visited during the week, and to everyone who shared their views, memories, thoughts, and knowledge – thank you. It was truly special to witness the exchange of stories and anecdotes, many of which we have recorded to preserve for future generations.

KinvaraHeritageGroup@gmail.com

Kinvara Tidy Towns: Love this place – Kinvara ♥️ and want to give something back, well, why not volunteer with Kinvara Tidy Towns. Kinvara tidy towns are looking for help litter picking for our spring cleans of approach roads and around the village. We are out

Wednesday mornings at 10.30am and Saturday mornings at 9.30am. We meet at the Kinvara 

Community centre. No gardening skills required. You can join our group or work on your own in your own time. We also aim to provide volunteer activities from litter picking, gardening, light weeding, painting, social media to sustainability initiatives. Email kinvaratidytowns01@gmail.com if this is for you. Our motto is do what you can when you can. Look forward to meeting new volunteers in 2025! 😀

KINVARA ALIVE – PICNIC IN THE PARK

On the 11th of May 2025, from 2pm to 4pmish, Kinvara Alive is organizing a picnic in the park in Kinvara. As we did a few years back this is for the parents to meet other parents and for the kids to have fun and maybe learn something new on the day. Which park it will be has yet to be confirmed. If you are interested in helping out/organizing a game for the kids on the day, please contact Kinvara Alive at info@kinvaraalive.com or contact Gerhard at 0860841218 via sms. Thank you. We in Kinvara Alive are looking forward to seeing you and your kids on the day. Gerhard Terpelle Mobile: 00353 86 084 1218 email: gtlanze@yahoo.de

KAVA New for April:

1st April – Last day of Seamount College Art Exhibition

5th April – Concert at 8pm featuring singer songwriter Colohan and his band”

4th – 13th April – Art Exhibition featuring Regina O’Dea, Caroline Thomas & Svetlana Akusevits

15th – 28th April – Art Exhibition featuring Joe McCaul

1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd Yoga with Kate 9.30 – 10.30.

2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd Yoga with Fionnuala 9.30-10.30.

Kinvara Plein Air Festival – Hosting an Artist – The Kinvara Plein Air Festival 2025 will be held over the June bank holiday weekend, 30 May – 2 June, attracting nearly 150 artists from Ireland as well as the UK and US. See details on our website www.kinvarapleinair.ie. If you would be willing to host an artist for the weekend (for an overnight rate) please contact us at kinvarapleinair@gmail.com. We greatly appreciate this support from the Kinvara community, given the limited range of accommodation options available in the area.

Kinvara Parent and Toddler Group welcomes parents and guardians to our weekly playgroup; Wednesdays 10am-12pm in the meeting room of Kinvara Community Centre. Children under 6 are welcome to socialise in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. We have plenty of toys and play tents for little ones and we offer tea/coffee and biscuits for grown-ups. We ask for a donation of €3-€4 per family to cover running costs and special events. Follow us on Facebook, search for Kinvara Playgroup or message 087-7662294 to be added to our WhatsApp group which is a fantastic hive of information, and the odd hand-me-down, for local parents. 

Gort Further Education & Training Centre Open Day is on Friday 4th April to find out about adult education courses available for September including Healthcare Support, Level 6 SNA, Art, Photography, Business & IT Skills and more. Our flexible, part-time courses are open to all, funding is available for those in work looking to upskill and for those currently not working. Past learners have progressed into higher level education or into work and have benefited from lifelong learning. Online registration will be open from 4th April at www.fetchcourses.ie or contact us for information 091 630624.