Galway Hookers, Gleoteoigs & Púcáns
We all know that drink was invented to stop the Irish ruling the world. But on the same theme, the Irish sailing community has always quietly nurtured the thought that if our usual weather could just be somehow modified to…
Gaff rig enthusiasts will find their reward this weekend on two coastlines, along Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard at Kinvara on Galway Bay, and along the East Coast at Howth. Kinvara in the southeast corner of Galway Bay will see the traditional…
President Catherine Connolly Opens Watersports Inclusion Games in Galway
11th July 2026 Watersports Inclusion Games
President Catherine Connolly officially opened the 2026 Watersports Inclusion Games in Galway today (Saturday, 11 July), before taking to the water in a traditional Galway Hooker. The free national event, running over 11 and 12 July, celebrates inclusive watersports by…
The Government has been called on to confer national heritage status on the Galway Hooker. Senator Seán Kyne, Fine Gael’s candidate in the Galway West by-election, says that “an bád mór is more than a working boat to the people…
The Galway Hooker Sailing Club has received €35,000 towards the development of a dedicated boatbuilding and training centre at Galway Docks. The funding has been provided by the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) West programme. It is part of the…
Christmas Lights Switch On For Bádóirí an Cladaigh Vessels in Galway
15th December 2025 Galway Hookers
Christmas lights have been switched on traditional vessels restored and maintained by Bádóirí an Cladaigh in Galway’s Claddagh basin. The strings of twinkly lights in the shape of sails were fitted on the gleoiteog Manuela, the leath-bhád Mearcín Joe, originally…
“It’s been a long time coming, but it’s been fantastic..” The words of round-Ireland sea swimmer Daragh Morgan (27), who is on the home stretch of his circumnavigation around Ireland. Weather permitting, he hopes to reach Galway’s Blackrock Tower, where…
Boatbuilding talks, traditional craft rigging demonstrations and maritime workshops are among the activities planned for the Galway Docklands Festival, which returns on Sunday, September 28th. The event from 11 am to 4 pm promises “local food, music, and community spirit”.…
'Ray of Sunshine' Best Dressed Vessel at Claddagh Blessing of Boats in Galway
20th August 2025 Galway Harbour
Presidential candidate and Independent TD Catherine Connolly attended the annual blessing of the boats in Galway’s Claddagh Basin. Ms Connolly, whose brother Peter is a driving force behind the restoration of Galway Hookers with Bádóirí an Cladaigh, was accompanied by…
Cruinnui na mBad At Kinvara Sees Change Of The Watch And Wine From The Sea
13th August 2025 Galway Hookers
There has been a change of the watch in the Chairmanship of the cheerfully complex Cruinnui na mBad (the Gathering of the Boats) festival at Kinvara in the southeast corner of Galway Bay. 2025's staging at the weekend saw Paddy…
Gleoteoigs big and small will be racing in Kinvara Bay this afternoon before arrival of larger Galway Hookers with turf to mark this year’s opening of the Crunniú na mBád festival. The annual Green Isle swim supported by Galway Kayak…
A healthy dose of gaff rig is available to enthusiasts on both the eastern and western seaboards this weekend. The annual Cruinnui ne mBad - the Gathering of the Boats - is under way afloat and ashore at picturesque Kinvara…
Successful racing took place at Féile an Spidéil in north Galway bay last Sunday in spite of fickle weather conditions in the west. Currach teams from around the coast engaged in highly competitive racing on the water from 11.30 am…
Currachs and Galway hookers are due to take to the water off An Spidéil, Co Galway, on Sunday, June 8th for Féile an Spidéil. Teams from Kerry, Clare and Donegal usually travel to the event to compete against crews from…
An Tóstal Currach and Galway Hooker Racing Regatta in Galway Bay This Weekend
16th May 2025 Galway Hookers
The revived An Tóstal festival takes place off Salthill, Galway this weekend with both hooker and currach racing. The programme starts at 12 noon on Saturday, May 17th, with Galway hookers sailing on the bay and the Tiny Traders market…
Challenges Faced by Galway Hooker Fleet Explored in TG4 Documentary on Easter Monday
16th April 2025 Galway Hookers
Challenges faced by owners and builders of the Galway Hooker are explored in a new documentary due to be broadcast on TG4. The distinctive traditional sailing workboats of Galway have been built and maintained by generations of boatbuilders and many…
