Omey Strand Races Return After Year Off in Connemara

1st August 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Beach Revival: Horses and riders return to Omey Strand for the annual beach races after a year's absence in Connemara Credit: Joe O'Shaughnessy

Several thousand people are expected on Connemara’s Omey strand at low tide on Sunday for the annual race meet.

Weather is expected to be reasonable for the event, which is run by a voluntary committee based in Claddaghduff.

Spring tides offer a wider window for the low tide meet, starting at 2pm on Sunday and involving eight races in all.

The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) requires marine area consent applications for events like this on the foreshore under the new marine planning legislation.

For this reason, last year’s event could not be run, as the committee didn’t find out in time that a MAC was required.

The committee has its MAC for this year, while Galway County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have also given authorisations, along with the Garda.

Omey Strand Races Return in Connemara Photo Gallery By Joe O'Shaughnessy

Published in Connemara, Island News

Published in Connemara

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