List of
Ownership
| Owner List | Year | Owner Name | Vessel Name | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Owner | 1884 | Patrick McDonagh (Pat Thaidhg), Cashel | – | Púcán Rigged |
| 2nd Owner | – | Tady McDonagh (Tady Phat Thaidhg), Cashel | – | – |
| 3rd Owner | – | Máirtín Keane (Máirtín Thomáis) & sons Colm, Tomás & Páraic, Glynsk, Carna | Named Lovely Anne | – |
| 4th Owner | 1943 | Páraic Barret, Mweenish, Carna, | – | – |
| 5th Owner | Late 1940s | Mullins family, Aran Islands | – | – |
| 6th Owner | 1950s | Colman Flaherty (Cóil Choilm Deárb), Carraroe | – | – |
| 7th Owner | – | Máirtín Bán Breathnach | – | – |
| Current Owner | 1974 | Jim Parkinson, Killybegs, Co. Donegal | – | – |
| Caretakers | 2018 | Galway Hooker Sailing Club | – | Gaff Rigged (Gleoiteóg) |
Origins of
Lovely Anne
There is no record of the exact year Lovely Anne was built in Blackweir, on the northern shore of Clarinbridge Bay. Her builder, Patrick Brannelly, tragically drowned in Kinvara Bay on 14 October 1892, aged only 33. Three of his boats still sail today — Tónaí, Morning Star, and Lovely Anne. To the best of our knowledge, she was built between 1884 and 1885 for Patrick McDonagh (Pat Thaidhg) of Leitheannagh, Cashel, Co. Galway.
The McDonagh
Legacy Begins
Patrick McDonagh’s family came from Glan, Oughterard, to Cashel in the 1860s. He worked as Bailiff for landlord Thomas Hazel, tasked with developing and protecting the oyster beds in Beirtreach Bhuí Bay. Around 1884, Hazel built McDonagh a house in Cannure, known locally as the Watchhouse. McDonagh acquired a workboat, a Púcán, for oyster transport between Cashel and Ros Cíde in Kilkerrin Bay. This boat later became Lovely Anne.
Fishermen
of Glynsk
The boat was passed to Tady McDonagh (Tady Phat Thaidhg), who fished with her before selling to Máirtín Keane (Máirtín Thomáis) of Glynsk, Carna. His sons — Colm, Tomás, and Páraic — continued using Lovely Anne for oyster and scallop dredging in Beirtreach Bhuí Bay. Still Púcán rigged, she competed in local regattas in the Púcán Mór class, often winning. Legend says she was named Lovely Anne by a lady visiting the Zetland Hotel who admired her beauty and grace.
Changing Hands
and Purpose
In 1943, Páraic Barret of Mweenish, Carna bought Lovely Anne from his uncle Colm Keane. Later, in the late 1940s, she fished for the Mullins family in the Aran Islands, fitted with an inboard engine and reduced sail area. During the 1950s, she belonged to Colman Flaherty (Cóil Choilm Déárb) of Carraroe, whose family continues the Hooker tradition today. Later, Máirtín Bán Breathnach used her for angling before Jim Parkinson purchased and rebuilt her for salmon fishing.
Return to
the Claddagh
After more than 40 years in Killybegs, Lovely Anne was brought home to the Claddagh in November 2018 by Ross Forde and Ciaran Oliver. With help from over 50 volunteers, she was restored to sailing condition, marking the birth of the Galway Hooker Sailing Club. This remarkable restoration honours generations of boatbuilders, fishermen, and sailors who have kept the spirit of the Galway Hooker alive.