Fleadh na gCuach 30th Anniversary:

The May Bank Holiday is just around the corner, and that means it’s time for Kinvara’s beloved Fleadh na gCuach! This year, we’re celebrating the festival’s 30th anniversary, and we’re thrilled to be in the midst of planning for this special occasion. We’re reaching out for assistance with a few things to make it truly memorable!

Like many non-profit, volunteer organisations, we are seeking sponsors for the festival. We have opportunities for a main sponsor, who will feature prominently on the poster and in other advertising, as well as minor sponsors. All sponsors will be highlighted in our special 30th Anniversary Festival Brochure and will receive a signed 30th Anniversary Cuckoo Poster.

We offer various sponsorship tiers based on the size of the ad you’d like in the brochure. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us directly at cuckoofleadh@gmail.com or call Paul at 087 1230044.

This festival relies on the support and contributions from the Kinvara Community, and we truly value any help you can offer. If you’d like to make a donation towards the festival, you can do so at the Kinvara Credit Union – just mention the Cuckoo account! Additionally, we’re organising an exhibition featuring past posters and photos of the Fleadh. If you have old photos, please email them to us or post them on our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/fleadhnagcuach.

In honour of the 30th Anniversary, we have exciting family-friendly activities, a fantastic line-up of musicians throughout the weekend, and much more planned. However, we need support from all of you! Thank you sincerely, and stay tuned as we’ll be unveiling the poster very soon!

Let’s all come together to be part of something special this year!

THE REEL ROOM:

We are delighted to announce The Reel Room at The Courthouse Kinvara.

Our plan is to show films every 2 weeks on a Thursday evening. Arrive 7.45pm for 8pm start.

Our April Programme includes: 4th April, Anatomy of a Fall, English/French thriller, 18th April, 20,000 Species of Bees, Spanish drama with English subtitles and 2nd May, Tarrac! Irish drama with English subtitles.  Everyone is welcome. €8 cash at the door, on a first come basis. There is no pre-booking or card payment service. Popcorn and soft drinks available to buy. Bring a cushion for extra comfort!

We are grateful to KAVA for hosting us and Access Cinema for the films.

Find us on Facebook, email TheReelRoomFC@gmail.com

Kinvara Palestine Solidarity Group:

The KPSG has had a busy year, raising awareness of the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Our St Patrick’s Day float met with a rousing reception from the people of Kinvara, and the great turnout of followers behind our new banner won the award for the best walking group.

We have been contacting politicians and councillors, running events such as showing the film GAZA and producing the beautiful Lament for Gaza on the quay. We are also fundraising to get help to people on the ground in Gaza.

We will be running the third of our Kites for Gaza events at Traught Beach on Easter Monday, starting at 2.30. Bring a kite or borrow one from us, it’s a great afternoon out for all ages.

Check out our window in Tigh Sayre or follow us on X (twitter), Instagram and Facebook for more details on what we are doing. We meet every Monday evening and are always open to new members. Email us to get updates or find out how you can help: kinvarasolidarity@gmail.com

Kinvara Hockey Club: #LetsBuildIt Launch Event:

Kinvara Hockey Club were delighted to recently launch their #LetsBuildIt phase of their #PushForAPitch campaign. The campaign will support grant funding to build a multi-sport full size Astro pitch on the Moy Road.  The club have worked closely with community groups to design a biodiversity heritage family walking trail which will be accessible to all. The campaign was launched by Anne McCormack, CEO of Hockey Ireland and the club were joined by the President of Connacht Hockey, Martin Hughes, local representatives and the community with strong links to the club.Full details are on: www.kinvarahockey.com or donations can be made to the Credit Union Acc: 61133. All support very much appreciated.

Recently, an u16 member, Emma Considine, has been selected for the Irish team to compete in an international tournament. This is an amazing achievement for a member who trains without access to a full-size pitch to train/compete on!

Walk in Pink for the Irish Breast Cancer Research Institute:

On Mother’s Day, 10th March, Kinvara Hockey Club hosted a Walk in Pink 3K community walk to raise funds for the Irish Breast Cancer Research Institute. This was the first year that this walk was held in Kinvara and it attracted families of all ages lending support for this worthy cause. The walk started on the Quay, Kinvara and went via the Green Road to the Kinvara hockey pitch site on the Moy Road.

The Kinvara Parent and Toddler Playgroup:

The Kinvara Parent and Toddler Playgroup runs on Wednesday mornings in the community centre from 10 to 12. Come and join us for a play, to meet and chat with other parents over tea or coffee. All babies and carers welcome from birth to preschool, parents, minders, grandparents! €3 suggested donation per family. Find us on Facebook or text 089 461 0234 to be added to the WhatsApp group.Kinvara new parents group meets every Wednesday fortnight at 9.30am in Siar. Come for a coffee, cake and chat with other new mamas to discuss all things new baby! Text 089 461 0234 for more information.

Energy Improvements at our Community Centre:

The works taking place in March and April 2024 include internal insulation of the main hall and sealing of all wall, door and window air leaks. The oil boiler will be removed. We will no longer be dependent on fossil fuels and will have an electric Air to Air heating system and heat retaining ventilation. We will produce some of our own energy with an array of solar roof panels. We are happy to discuss these energy usage reduction and climate change solutions with any interested members of the community. 

Kinvara Community Council’s: monthly meetings take place the third Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is taking place on Wednesday 20th March at 8pm in Kinvara Community Centre. 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 Monday 18th March and you must be there to present your item.

Save Aughinish Bay from the development of a 26 acre Aquaculture Farm: A developer has applied for a Foreshore License to the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (REF: T08/115A) to construct a 26 ACRE AQUACULTURE FARM in Aughinish Bay with access from Geeha South. The final date for receipt of letters of objection is the 9th March 2024.

Aughinish Bay is a highly sensitive ecosystem protected as a ‘Special Area of Conservation’, a ‘Special Protection Area’ and a ‘European Natura 2000’ site.

There will be a Community MeetingonFriday 1st March at 8.30pm at Seamount Community College. Minister of State Anne Rabbitte, and other elected representatives will be in attendance.

We have prepared letters you can use to make an objection. Email us at aughinishcommunitygroup@gmail.com for a copy. Alternatively pick up and return a signed letter to the Kinvara Community Centre (9.30-11.30 Mon-Fri), and we will post it on your behalf.

The Aughinish Bay Community Group is made up of concerned residents, friends and farmers living in Aughinish Bay and the wider area who have come together to stop the development of an Aquaculture Farm in Aughinish Bay, located in the heart of the Burren, Co. Galway.