List of
Ownership
| Owner List | Year | Owner Name | Vessel Name | Rigged Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Owner | 1924 | Bal Conlon, Island Eddy, Galway | – | Gaff Rigged (Gleoiteóg) |
| 2nd Owner | 1970s | MP McDonagh, Claddagh | Named Claddagh | – |
| Current Owner | 2024 | Ciaran Oliver, Claddagh | – | – |
| Caretakers | 2025 | Galway Hooker Sailing Club | – | – |
Island
Water Carrier
Claddagh was built as a 24ft Gleoiteóg in 1924 by John Francis Reaney at the Spanish Arch in Galway. A year later, Reaney also built Loveen, which was restored and relaunched in 2021. The original owner, Bal Conlon of Island Eddy, used Claddagh to transport barrels of water from Clarinbridge and turf from Baile na hAbhann pier for nearly 50 years.
Community
Sailing Revival
In the early 1970s, MP McDonagh of the Claddagh bought the boat from Bal. During this time, Claddagh played a central role in the revival of traditional sailing in the Claddagh community. It is said she was built along the lines of the original Truelight, a Bád Mór once owned by Máirtín Oliver, King of the Claddagh.
Heritage
Restoration Project
In May 2024, Ciaran Oliver, Commodore and one of the founding members of the Galway Hooker Sailing Club, met with the McDonagh family to discuss restoring this historic vessel. Ownership was officially transferred to the Oliver family, and Claddagh is now entrusted to the club for full restoration as part of Galway’s living maritime heritage.
