Registration Opens for Cong-Galway Race Set for June 28

7th May 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Mixed dinghies competing in a previous Cong Galway Race. Competitors are preparing for the 2025 race, Europe's longest inland water sailing event, featuring diverse boat classes and a scenic 30 nautical mile course. Excitement builds for June 28th!

Registration is open for this year’s Cong-Galway race, which is planned for Saturday, June 28th.

The longest inland water sailing race in Europe runs over a 30 nautical mile course, from Lisloughrey pier near Cong at the north of Lough Corrib to Galway city.

It was founded by Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club in 1882. Galway clubs co-operate to host it, and this year’s organising authority is Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéal.

The dinghy race is open to boats with overall length of 18 ft or less, with Portsmouth yardstick number of 1230 or below.

The keelboat section is open to keelboats and traditional craft with an overall length greater than 18 ft.

The race runs over two legs, with a midway lunch break at Kilbeg pier, and finishes upriver of the Quincentennial bridge in Galway.

There is a separate booking system for the friends and family meal after the event.

Race registration is here and a Notice of Race here

Published in Cong-Galway Race

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CongGalway 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.