Galway Hookers - The Galway or Connemara hooker, with its distinctive curved lines, supported a significant fishing industry in Galway Bay and around the Connemara coast in the 19th century and carried goods, livestock and fuel at a time when the sea was the main means of transport and communication for the coastal communities. Since the mid seventies, many of the old sailing craft which were on the verge of extinction have been lovingly restored and new ones have been built. During the summer months they can be seen at a series of regattas held around the coast, but particularly in the west of Ireland where they originated. Click on the images below for more information.

The Galway Bay Sailing Club: founded in 1975, the club is home to more than three hundred active members, and is based in the natural harbour of Renville, Oranmore, about five miles east of Galway.