A new fast ferry for the Aran islands was unloaded in an operation lasting several hours in Galway Bay on Friday.
The new 40m (131ft) vessel, costing several million euro, was built in Hong Kong.
It will be operated by Aran Island Ferries between Galway city and the islands.
The vessel will be formally named Saoirse na Farraige at a launching ceremony in the spring.
It will be the first time in some decades – since the era of the Dún Aengus and Naomh Éanna – since passengers transport was provided between Galway docks and the islands.
The company will continue its services from Ros-a-Mhíl in south Connemara to all three islands – a sea journey which takes about 45 minutes to the largest island of Inis Mór.
The new vessel can take up to 400 passengers, and will cater for the sort of volumes now travelling between Doolin, Co Clare, and Arainn. It will take around 90 minutes to steam between Galway and Inis Mór.