How She Came
to the Club
In the club’s second year, as the world adapted to Covid-19 restrictions, the need for another boat became clear to accommodate our growing membership for the upcoming sailing season. Fortunately, sailing — being an outdoor activity — fit perfectly within the “Covid bubble.”
An Lon Dubh was located in Kinvara, having been unused and “on the dry” for several years. The club approached Seamus McHugh, her owner, with a proposal: the club would act as caretakers, restore her to sailing condition, and use her as a sail training vessel, while ensuring Seamus could sail her whenever he wished.
In March 2021, Seamus McHugh of McHugh Property Holdings generously sponsored An Lon Dubh, offering her to the Galway Hooker Sailing Club for sail training and club activities.
Restoration
and Revival
Over the next eight weeks, An Lon Dubh underwent a remarkable restoration effort — all while Covid-19 travel restrictions were still in place. The club launched a creative initiative, “Stay Connected While Staying Apart,” which allowed members to participate safely by restoring parts of the boat from their own homes, gardens, and sheds. Her gaff went to Knocknacarra, bowsprit to Grattan Road, floorboards and rigging blocks to Barna, rudder to Spiddal, tiller to Salthill, boom to Dangan, and her sails to Shantalla and Renmore. Meanwhile, her mast and hull remained in the workshop for nearby volunteers.
When restrictions eased, all the restored parts were brought back together, and An Lon Dubh was reassembled and relaunched into Galway Bay in May 2021, marking another proud chapter in the club’s story of teamwork, creativity, and community spirit.
