Furbo, County Galway

Na Forbacha (anglicised as Furbo or Furbogh)[2] is a settlement with a population of around 300 in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It lies along the coast between Bearna and An Spidéal. 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%. The headquarters of the Gaeltacht Authority, Údarás na Gaeltachta,[3] is located in Na Forbacha.

Na Forbacha
Village
Na Forbacha Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 53°14′56″N 9°12′18″W
Country	Ireland
Province	Connacht
County	County Galway
Elevation	15 m (49 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Urban	308
• Rural	1,004
Irish Grid Reference	M199288
Na Forbacha is the only official name. The anglicised spellings Furbo and Furbogh have no official status.

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. Due to its proximity to Galway, and consequential pressure from property developers, housing developments generally have an Irish language clause applied. 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.

Na Forbacha has a large community pitch which is used by the local Bearna-Na Forbacha hurling club,[4] football club, and by the nearby Bearna Soccer Club.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland.

References

1. Census 2011 – Population Classified by Area Table 6 Population of each province, county, city, urban area, rural area and electoral division, 2006 and 2011
2. Placenames Database of Ireland
3. Údarás na Gaeltachta
4. Bearna-Naforbacha