List of
Ownership
| Owner List | Year | Owner Name | Vessel Name | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Owner | 1900 | Marcus Colm, Inis Fhínse | Naomh Ciarán | 22’ Bád Iomartha (Rowboat) |
| 2nd Owner | 1961 | John Tom O Niaidh | – | – |
| 3rd Owner | 1990 | Patrick Madden, Coil Sáile | – | – |
| 4th Owner | 2008 | Joe John William Joyce, Barna | Renamed Anam Cara | Gaff Rigged (Gleoiteóg) |
| Current Owner (s) | 2019 | Marty Concannon, Collette Furey, John Gregory, Aideen Kilkelly, Keith Lyne and Harald Schlindwein | – | – |
Built on
Mweenish Island
Anam Cara was originally built as Naomh Ciarán around 1900 by the Casey brothers on Mweenish Island, Carna, for Marcus Colm of Inis Fhínse. The 22ft bád iomartha (rowboat) cost £5 (about €1,000 in 2025). The Caseys also built another of our club boats, Bád Churraoín.
From Workboat
to Seaweed Collector
In 1961, John Tom Ó Niaidh purchased Naomh Ciarán and, with help from Colm Casey, fitted her with an inboard engine. She was then used for collecting seaweed in Cill Chiaráin Bay for the Arramara factory. John worked and cared for her faithfully for almost 30 years.
Years on
Land Resting
In 1990, Patrick Madden of Coil Sáile bought Naomh Ciarán intending to use her as a pleasure vessel. However, she remained on land for nearly two decades, resting quietly until a new chapter in her story began.
Reborn as
Anam Cara
In 2008, Joe John William Joyce purchased the boat and rebuilt her in Barna, transforming her into a gaff-rigged sailboat. Renamed Anam Cara (“Soulmate”) after his friend John O’Donoghue’s book, she was blessed by the local priest and relaunched in 2010 from Old Spiddal Pier, sailing with the Joyce family for the next nine years.
A New Home
in Claddagh
In 2019, Anam Cara joined the Galway Hooker Sailing Club when she was bought by six club members — Marty Concannon, Collette Furey, John Gregory, Aideen Kilkelly, Keith Lyne, and Harald Schlindwein. Now serving as a training vessel, she helps new sailors learn the art of Galway Hooker sailing in her new home port of the Claddagh.