Kilmore Quay

Kilmore Quay

Kilmore Quay is a fishing village near Kilmore, its name means "the Quay of the Big Church". The village is also a popular sailing center. The village hosts a summer seafood festival with daily seafood, live music, and activities including races and family events. The village's landmark is the architecturally outstanding St Peter's Church, built in 1875 to the design of architect George Ashlin. Approximately 1 mile north of Kilmore Quay is Ballyteige Castle, a 15th century tower house which was the ancestral home of the Anglo-Irish Whitty family who lived there until the 1650s. The beautiful Saltee Islands are close to Kilmore Quay and there are boat trips to the islands from the village. The islands, Great Saltee and Little Saltee, are renowned for being Ireland's biggest bird sanctuary, home to gannets, gulls, puffins, cormorants, razorbills, and guillemots. The harbor has a marina which serves as a base for a number of Irish yachts sailing to France and beyond. It is also the first port of call for many visitors from Britain and Europe.