The Galway Hooker Boats

About the traditional fishing vessels of Galway

The Galway Hooker boat, with its instantly recognisable dark red or rusty brown sails are a common feature of life on Galway Bay. Renowned for its beauty and resilience these ‘workhorses of the west’ are an iconic symbol of Galways’ enduring relationship with the sea. Their name is derived from ‘hook and line’ fishing, which involved long lines of baited hooks being dragged behind the boat with fish being caught when they took the bait. The main purpose of the boats was primarily to fish and carry loads of turf, livestock, general supplies, seaweed, poitín (an illegal whiskey) and lime (which was used in building mortars, hide preparation for leather making, lime wash and for water proofing walls with whitewash).

According to Hardimans History the vessel was developed after 1790 from smaller craft. Until the mid 19th Century the Claddagh in Galway was the main boat building centre for the region. Boatwrights earned three shillings a day and were entitled to three glasses of whiskey for their labour. By 1836 around 820 fishermen operated from the Claddagh with a fleet of 105 sailing boats and 80 rowing boats. Fishermen themselves constructed the rigging and made the sails. Connemara fishermen bought their hookers from the Claddagh until they began to make their own at Mweenish Island.

There are four different types of hooker – The Bád Mór or big boat is over thirty five foot and can carry a load of up to fifteen tons. The Leathbhád is slightly over thirty feet long. The Gleoiteog and Pucán are smaller versions again, rigged like a hooker with an open or short foredeck. Within the different classes of Hooker above, each vessel has three distinctive sails – mainsail, foresail and jib.

In pictures

Annual events

Throughout the summer season there are a number of festivals and regattas celebrating the tradition of Galway Hooker sailing along the west coast of Ireland.

Regattas of South Connemara

From May to August regattas are scheduled in many of the fishing villages of southern Connemara, from An Spidéal, Carraoe, Lettermullen, Ros a Mhíl, Carna, Kilkieran and Inis Meáin.

Cruinniú na mBád in Kinvara

Kinvara’s Cruinniú na mBád includes a series of races for the four types of Galway Hookers (the Bád Mór, the Leath Bhád , the Gleoiteog; and the Púcán. During the festival the pubs in Kinvara host the best in traditional Irish Music. Sean Nós (Old Time) singing competitions are held in venues around the town. Visitors can stroll around the town, visit art and craft stalls, enjoy street entertainers and absorb the festival atmosphere all round. There are activities for all ages and abilities, including an art exhibition, puppet show, a fancy dress competition for children, face painting, sean nós dancing and raffles.

The Claddagh Traditional Boat Festival

Over the May Bank Holiday annually there is a gathering of the Galway Hooker Boats in the Claddagh where the public can learn all about this important part of Galways’ maritime heritage and enjoy live music and displays.

Galway Hookers in action

To find out more about how the boats are constructed and maintained contact:

Galway Hooker Sailing Club
13 Claddagh Quay, Galway, Ireland
+353 87 2807028
www.galwayhookersailingclub.ie

To learn more about Galway Hooker boats and sail the boats on Galway Bay contact:

Galway Bay Boat Tours
New Docks, Galway, Ireland
+353 87 280 7028
www.galwaybaytours.com

Map to Galway Hooker boats in Galway

The Galway Hooker boats based in Galway city are moored in the Claddagh Basin, where you can see them up close and sometimes preparing to set sail or returning from a trip out on Galway Bay.