CLADDAGH
We are proud and excited to be embarking on our next restoration story with Claddagh - not only because she is named after our home port, not only because she is a sister to Loveen and not only because she is famous for her appearance in the Guinness Christmas advert but also because we have another fantastic opportunity to save and restore one of the great Galway Hookers back to sailing on our waters again.
History - Her Story
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 lauched in 2021.
The original owner of Claddagh was Bal Conlon, a native of Island Eddy, a small island in South Galway Bay - which has been deserted since the 1980s. Due to the lack of fresh water on the island, Bal used Claddagh to transport barrels of water from Clarinbridge and turf from Baile na hAbhann pier for nearly 50 years.
In the early 1970s, MP McDonagh of the Claddagh purchased the boat from Bal. At the time, Claddagh played a key role in the revival of sailing boats in the Claddagh community.
It is said that Claddagh was built along the lines of the original Truelight, a Bád Mór owned by Máirtín Oliver, King of the Claddagh and great-granduncle of Ciaran Oliver. Truelight was sold to Inisbofin in the 1960s and has since been broken up.
In May 2024, Ciaran Oliver, our Commodore and one of the club’s founders, met with the McDonagh family to express interest in restoring this iconic symbol of Galway’s maritime heritage. Ownership was officially transferred to the Oliver family, and Claddagh is now entrusted to the Galway Hooker Sailing Club for restoration.
Restoration Plans
Claddagh holds a special place in Irish maritime culture and is famous for her appearance in the Guinness Christmas advert. As a club, we are committed to rebuilding her piece by piece, ensuring her story continues to inspire future generations while celebrating Galway’s seafaring traditions.
Her restoration will be a community project, open to all who wish to participate. Its important to us that there is community involvement, as it this boat means so much to the local people of the Claddagh.
Claddagh is currently housed in a workshop space within Galway Bay Seafood’s building at the Port of Galway, where she will remain throughout the restoration process. Once completed, Claddagh will sail again alongside the rest of the Galway Hooker Sailing Club fleet, including her sister ship, Loveen.
If you would like to get involved, please check out how to join the club and be part of this exciting project. If you are not in a position to join our club and would still like to help support this project, you can donate and help fund this project.
Be sure to follow us on our social media channels and youtube to keep updated with the project.