Galway Docklands Festival to Mark RNLI 200th Anniversary

22nd September 2024

The Galway Docklands Festival programme includes Galway Hooker workshop visits, where guests can explore the rich history of the traditional craft and see one under restoration.

The annual Galway Docklands Festival will mark the RNLI’s 200 years of lifeboat service during its event next weekend.

Galway Hooker Sailing Club and the Galway RNLI lifeboat station are hosting the festival on Saturday, September 28th, from 12 noon to 4 pm at Galway Bay Seafoods.

The Galway RNLI station will open its doors to the public, with all proceeds raised going to support its vital work.

The programme includes Galway Hooker workshop visits, where guests can explore the rich history of the traditional craft and see one under restoration.

Attendees will also have a chance to meet with expert boat builders to learn about the craft of traditional Galway Hooker restoration and building.

There will be rigging demonstrations where guests can step onboard and get to learn some essential sailing knots with the crew of Galway Hooker Sailing Club.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the chance to take a guided spin of the Claddagh and Galway’s waterways with Galway Bay Boat Tours, weather permitting.

There will be sushi tastings by City Sushi, while Galway Bay Seafoods will host a “Meet the Producer” and visitors can learn about local fishing methods and learn how to fillet a fish.

There will be an array of children's activities, including water games, boat

floating, face painting, and much more.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the RNLI on this special day and to help celebrate their 200th anniversary,” Ciaran Oliver, representative of the Galway Docklands Festival and commodore of Galway Hooker Sailing Club, said.

“This event is a wonderful way to celebrate Galway’s rich maritime culture, the iconic Galway Hooker and to support the vital role the RNLI plays in safeguarding lives at sea.”

All funds raised during the event will go directly to support Galway RNLI, helping the station to continue its vital life-saving work in the community.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, September 28th
Time: 12 noon to 4 pm
Location: Galway Bay Seafoods and Galway RNLI

The Galway RNLI station will open its doors to the public, with all proceeds raised going to support its vital work

Published in Galway Harbour, Galway Hookers, RNLI Lifeboats, Maritime Festivals

Published in Galway Harbour

Tagged under

Galway Docklands Festival

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Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city and port is located on the northeast side of the bay. The bay is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) long and from 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to 30 kilometres (19 miles) in breadth.

The Aran Islands are to the west across the entrance and there are numerous small islands within the bay.

Galway Port FAQs

How old is Galway port?

Galway was founded in the 13th century by the de Burgo family, and became an important seaport with sailing ships bearing wine imports and exports of fish, hides and wool.

How old is Galway bay?

Not as old as previously thought. Galway bay was once a series of lagoons, known as Loch Lurgan, plied by people in log canoes. Ancient tree stumps exposed by storms in 2010 have been dated back about 7,500 years.

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It is about 660,000 tonnes as it is a tidal port.

Who is the harbourmaster of Galway port?

Capt Brian Sheridan, who succeeded his late father, Capt Frank Sheridan

When are the lock gates open?

The dock gates open approximately two hours before high water and close at high water subject to ship movements on each tide.

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The typical ship sizes are in the region of 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes

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Turbines for about 14 wind projects have been imported in recent years, but the tonnage of these cargoes is light. A European industry report calculates that each turbine generates €10 million in locally generated revenue during construction and logistics/transport.

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90% of the scrap steel is exported to Spain with the balance being shipped to Portugal. Since the pandemic, scrap steel is shipped to the Liverpool where it is either transhipped to larger ships bound for China.

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