List of
Ownership
| Owner List | Year | Owner Name | Vessel Name | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Owner | 1890 | Tomás Ó Conaola, Leitir Árd, Caiseal | Named Caper Beag | 20’ Bád Iomartha (Rowboat) |
| 2nd Owner | 1927 | Máirtin Ó Méalóid (Meaic Moylette), Carna | – | – |
| 3rd Owner | – | Páraic Ó Maoilchiaráin (Pat Mhichael MhaiPú) , Muigh-Inis, Carna | – | – |
| 4th Owner | 1983 | Marine Research Centre (Ionad Taighde Mara), Carna | Renamed to Muirín | – |
| 1992 | Renamed Muirín Joe | Rebuild by Páraic Casey (Páraic Chóilín Mhaitiais) | ||
| 5th Owner | 2004 | Marcus Ó Súilleabháin of Loch Con Aortha | – | Gaff Rigged (Gleoiteóg) |
| 6th Owner | 2012 | Rosaleen Ní Shuilleabháin of Inbhear, Rosmuc. | – | – |
| 7th Owner | 2018 | Oliver Conroy (Oliver Phatrick Pheaitin Cheaite) | Renamed Caiteach Beag | – |
| 8th Owner | 2021 | Ross Forde & Cóilín Óg Hernon | Renamed Caper Beag | – |
| Current Owner | 2022 | Galway Hooker Brewery | – | – |
| Caretakers | 2022 | Galway Hooker Sailing Club | – | – |
Built in
Caiseal Bay
Caper Beag was built by Bartley (Beartlaín) Ó Clochartaigh around 1890 as a 20ft bád iomartha (rowboat) for Tomás Ó Conaola of Leitir Árd, Caiseal. She was named Caper Beag after the Gleoiteog Mór owned by Tomás and his brother Seán, called Caper. The boat was used for fishing, carrying seaweed, and scallop dredging in Beirtreach Buí Bay.
Years of
Hard Work
Over the years, Caper Beag changed hands several times. She was sold to Máirtín Ó Méalóid of Carna, and later to Páraic Ó Maoilchiaráin (Pat Mhichael Mhaitiú) of Muigh-Inis, where she was used for lobster fishing. Eventually, she was purchased by the Marine Research Centre (Ionad Taighde Mara) in Carna, where she became known as Muirín.
Rebuilt
and Renamed
In 1992, Páraic Casey (Páraic Chóilín Mhaitiais), a skipper at the research centre, rebuilt Muirín and renamed her Muirín Joe in memory of his late colleague, Seosamh Ó Loideáin (Joe Lydon). In 2004, she was bought by Marcus Ó Súilleabháin of Loch Con Aortha, who rigged her as a Gleoiteog and raced her in local regattas.
Changing
Hands Again
In 2012, Muirín Joe was sold to Rosaleen Ní Shuilleabháin of Inbhear, Rosmuc. Later, in 2018, she was bought by Oliver Conroy (Oliver Phatrick Pheaitín Cheaite), who renamed her Caiteach Beag after his father’s grandmother, Ceaite Uí Chatháin. Oliver repaired and raced her until 2021, when he sold her to Ross Forde and Cóilín Óg Hernon, who restored her and returned her to her original name, Caper Beag.
Restored and
Relaunched Together
In early 2022, Caper Beag was purchased by the Galway Hooker Brewery, the oldest existing brewery in Connacht. Seeking expertise, they partnered with the Galway Hooker Sailing Club to complete her restoration. Under the guidance of Cóilín Hernon, her hull, decks, mast, and spars were refinished. Caper Beag was officially relaunched at Claddagh Quay in October 2022, joining the club fleet and symbolising a true union of craft, community, and culture.