Galway Hooker

The Galway Hooker (Irish Húicéir na Gaillimhe ) or Connemara Hooker is a sailing vessel type. He is a traditional sailing boat, which is used in Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. It has been developed for local conditions and is characterized by its special rig arrangement. It consists of the mast with a mainsail and two headsails. Traditionally, the boat is black and the sails are kept in a brown tone but other colors such as red or white are also common. An iron sculpture of Hooker is at Eyre Square in the main square of the city of Galway.

At the annual festival of Cruinniú na MBAD a regatta through the Galway Bay, Connemara is sailed to Kinvara. Other races will be moved in front of Roundstone and Carrowroe. This interest in the Galway Hooker is reawakened.

Variants

The Hooker is available in four boat classes.

• The bathroom Mór ( big boat ) has a length from 10.70 to 13.50 meters.
• The Leathbhád ( half boat ) is only about 10 meters long. It was used to transport peat ( as fuel ) to the Aran Islands and the Burren. The boats brought on the return trips often with limestone to neutralize the acid soils of Connemara and Mayo.
• The Gleoiteog has a length from 7.5 to 9 meters, and has the same rig as larger boats. It was used for fishing and for load carrying.
• The Pucan is similar in size to the Gleoiteog but has only one headsail.

Origin

The boats are in use since at least 200 years, its origin is unclear. Connemara had many boatyards and probably these boats have been developed there; but there are also discussed connections to Dutch boat builders. You are able to sail in shallow water and were ideal for the islands in the south of Connemara.