An Tóstal Currach and Galway Hooker Racing Regatta in Galway Bay This Weekend

16th May 2025

Afloat.ie Team

Currach racing at a previous edition of An Tostal off Salthill, Galway

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 along the Salthill “Prom”.

Gardai have put a traffic management programme in place, as Salthill is also hosting the annual Africa Day youth festival from 1pm and the hurling and football double header in Pearse Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

An Tóstal festival chairman Pete Kelly says that the majority of the activity is therefore focusing on Sunday May 18, with traditional currach racing from 11am. Start and finish line is off Ladies’ Beach, and the largest entry is expected in the senior men’s category.

There will be crews in the senior women, junior (boys and girls under 18) and “fear agus bean” categories. A documentary of the event is being filmed this year.

Prizegiving is scheduled for Blackrock Cottage, Salthill on Sunday evening at about 6.30 pm.

Published in Galway Hookers, Currachs, Galway Harbour, Maritime Festivals

Published in Galway Hookers

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