Catapult Catamaran Takes First in Cong-Galway Race

4th September 2023

A fleet of around 40 boats and three Galway hookers set sail yesterday morning on the 30-nautical mile course of the Cong-Galway Race Credit: Collette Uí Chonghaíle

A Catapult Catamaran sailed by Gary Mangan took first place in the dinghy class in this year’s Cong-Galway race across Lough Corrib and down the river into the city.

A 420 helmed by Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil’s (CSS) Rob Talbot and Cian de Bairéad took second place in the dinghies, and Galway Bay Sailing Club’s Andy Flanagan and Astrid Comerford came in third in their Dart 16.

A fleet of around 40 boats and three Galway hookers set sail from Lisloughrey pier yesterday morning on the first leg of the 30 nautical mile course, which follows the old steamer route across the lake and into the city and dates back to 1882.

In the cruiser class, first place was recorded by Port of Galway Sea Scouts in a Hawk 20 sailed by David Schirliu, Daniel Concannon, Aaron Fahy and Lorcan Cannon.

Three Galway Hookers were part of the 2023 Cong Galway Race fleet Photo: Collette Uí Chonghaíle

Members of the Galway Hooker Sailing Club took second place in their vessel helmed by Ciaran Oliver with Maria Buckley, Michelle Oliver, Mary Cunningham and Clodagh Durkan.

Lack of wind on Saturday had prompted the five organising clubs to reschedule the event for Sunday when moderate south-westerlies had been forecast.

Billed as Europe’s oldest and longest dinghy sailing race, the Cong-Galway involves a first leg from Lisloughrey to Kilbeg pier, where competitors can take a lunch break.

The start of the second leg of Cong-Galway Race Photo: Collette Uí Chonghaíle

The second leg introduces a narrower channel in the lower lake, leading participants towards the river, with the finish line at Corrib village on the University of Galway campus. This involves boats manoeuvring their masts under the Quincentennial Bridge before reaching the Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club upriver from the city’s Woodquay for the trophy presentation.

The collaborative effort involves a large number of volunteers and safety vessels organised by five clubs—Galway Bay Sailing Club, Galway City Sailing Club, Galway Hooker Sailing Club, Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club and Cumann Seoltóireacht an Spidéil (Spiddal Sailing Club).

Published in Cong-Galway Race

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cong galway race

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The Cong-Galway: Ireland’s oldest inland sailing race

The annual Cong – Galway Sailing Race is Europe’s oldest and longest inland water sailing race.

The original Cong-Galway Race started at the Royal Galway Yachting Club in Galway City and travelled to Ashford Castle in Cong before returning to Galway City, a race distance of 61.5 nautical miles.

The 2020 race is the 137th such race.

The Cong-Galway Race was a huge social event in Galway until 1914. It never recovered after the First World War and was last held in its old format in 1931. The race was later revived in 1972. Now half the original length, the race starts at Lisloughrey pier, near Ashford Castle, and ends just past the Quincentennial Bridge in Galway City.

Cong Galway Race Course

The Cong to Galway Race start is from Lisloughrey Pier in Cong, Co. Mayo and is typically scheduled for 10.30 a.m. on a course through Upper and Lower Lough Corrib to the finish line at Corrib Village on the River Corrib in Galway. The race makes a stop for lunch at Kilbeg Pier, approximately half way, where timings will be taken for the restart.