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Hooker Legacy

Stories From
Our Fleet

Our club fleet proudly features both the iconic Galway Hookers and a small selection of motor boats, each with its own unique story and character. Every vessel represents a piece of our rich maritime heritage, reflecting the craftsmanship and passion that define our community. We invite you to explore the stories behind each boat — simply click on the photos below to learn more about their fascinating history and ongoing journeys.

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    Lovely Anne

    Lovely Anne, originally built in 1885 by Patrick Brannelly was restored by the over 50 volunteers back in 2018 in just under 5 months. Such was the success of this restora_on that the idea of officially setng up a club was born and Lovely Anne became the flagship boat of the club. 

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    Nóra Bheag

    Built in 1916 as a 23’ Púcán, by Seán O‘Donnell, Long Walk, Galway City, Nóra Bheag is very dis_nc_ve with her black sails and red spars. Owned by our resident boatwright Cóilín Hernon she is the McLaren of our fleet, leaving the rest of us rocking in her wake.

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    Anam Cara

    Anam Cara, loosely translates as ‘soulmate’ was built around 1900 as bád iomartha (row boat) and was converted as a gaff rigged Gleoiteóg in 2009. She joined the club in late 2019 when she was bought by a group of club members who shared an interest and passion in Galway Hookers and wanted to bring…

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    Asurnaí

    Asurnaí was built as a 22’ bád iomartha (rowboat) by Máirtín Ó Cathasaigh in 1914 on Mweenish Island, Carna. Now owned and skippered by Cóilín Óg Hernon, she is a beau_ful sight sailing along the river to the back drop of the Long Walk. 

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    Lon Dubh

    Like a gig from the gods, Lon Dubh joined our club right when we needed her! Built around the 1900’s by Patrick Griffin of LePermore as a 22’ bád iomartha, her current owner Seamus McHugh kindly gave her to the club to caretake and use for sail training crew

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    Loveen

    The romantic of our fleet, she was built in 1925 by John Francis Reaney of Spanish Arch as a 22’ bád iomartha, the younger sister of Claddagh. After decades in Connemara, she returned home to Claddagh in 2009 and now provides training for youth and community.

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    Caper Beag

    Caper Beag, a 20’ bád iomartha built by Beartlaín Ó Clochartaigh around 1890, makes her the 2nd oldest boat in our fleet. She is owned by Galway Hooker Brewery and following a short restora_on she joined our fleet in 2022 and has been sailing our waters ever since. 

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    Banshee

    Built somewhere between 1905 and 1912 in Longwalk, Banshee spent her first years sailing around Connemara. She then sailed to a new home in Dublin and not long after transformed into a small yacht. Follow her story here.

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    Claddagh

    The famous boat from the renowned fishing village in the heart of Galway City was built in 1924 by John Francis Reaney of Spanish Arch as a 24’ Gleoiteóg. It appears on TV every year in the Guinness Christmas Ad and is now headed to our workshop for a full restoration.

Our Support
Boats

Safety Support

Each of our sailboats are supported by powerboats for safety reasons, as none of our sail boat have engines – they move on wind alone! 

TJ

TJ is the club’s first fully owned boat — a 5m RIB used to support our Hookers and capture sailing moments. Bought in 2021 from a crew member, TJ now serves as a vital training and support vessel, helping members earn Irish Sailing Powerboating certificates and accompanying sails to the Aran Islands.

Carraig Dubh 

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery and Sports Capital Grant, Carraig Dubh joined our fleet in late 2022 as a brand new 5m safety RIB. Since then, Carraig Dubh has clocked up many sea hours from numerous training courses, Hooker sails and general boat use for many club member who wish to explore and enjoy Galway Bay. She is also used by the Port of Galway Sea Scouts and brings many youth on trips around the coast. 

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