Furbo, County Galway

Na Forbacha (anglicized as Furbo or Furbogh) is a settlement with a population of around 800 in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It lies along the coast between Barna and Spiddal. It is a Gaeltacht area where Irish is the main language used in the school, church and at community meetings. The figure for those who self-report as speaking Irish daily is 39%. Furbo is the first village after Galway City where Irish is a community language which becomes more stronger when you get to An Spidéal. The headquarters of the Gaeltacht Authority, Údarás na Gaeltachta, is located in Furbo.

Map of Furbo, Co. Clare, Ireland

It has a typical Gaeltacht style of settlement with no village street or centre, but rather comprises around fourteen townlands, most of which run North to South from the bog to the foreshore. Although the settlement is approximately 12 km from Galway city centre it has maintained its rural nature quite successfully in recent years due to strong opposition to large scale development from locals. Due to its proximity to Galway, and consequential pressure from property developers, housing developments generally have an Irish language clause applied. Currently housing developments have a requirement that 80% plus of housing units are reserved for Irish speakers.

The settlement consists of the following townlands: Cnocán an Bhodaigh, an Straidhp, an tSaoirsin, Baile na hAbhann, na Poillíní, Doire Uachtair, Aill an Phréacháin, an Coisméig Mór, na Forbacha Garbha, Seanadh Fhréachóg, and Cnoc na Gréine.

Furbo also boasts a very large community pitch which is used by the local Hurling Club, Football club, and by the nearby Bearna Soccer Club.

Trá na bhForbacha is a pleasant and safe beach for bathing. However, as reported in the Irish Examiner in May 2008, the water off Furbo failed to meet EU bathing standards due to faecal coliforms. It is understood that the pollution problem has been resolved but that Blue Flag status must await clean reports during 2008 and 2009.