How She Came
to the Club
After being gifted to the Port of Galway Sea Scouts, Loveen remained in storage as the Scouts sought funding for a major rebuild. In May 2019, just after the successful relaunch of Lovely Anne, news arrived that FLAG funding had been awarded for Loveen’s restoration through the Western Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) / Coastal Community Projects in Galway.
When the Galway Hooker Sailing Club was newly formed shortly after — and a workshop space secured behind Galway Bay Seafoods, near the docks — Loveen became the centrepiece of what would soon be an extraordinary restoration journey, a story destined to be told for years to come.
Restoration
and Revival
Under the guidance of master boatbuilder Cóilín Hernon and his sons, the painstaking task of restoring Loveen began, with the aim of preserving her original shape. Her keel was replaced, and each rib was carefully traced and re-created, one by one, from bow to stern. A new mast and spars were crafted, along with a set of traditional rusty-red sails.Following the old maritime custom, the “Whiskey Plank” tradition was revived when the last nail in the last plank was hammered home — celebrated with a dropeen of whiskey. On June 8th, 2021, the club hosted a Whiskey Plank session, inviting the Mayor of Galway and the local community to drive home the final nails together. Once the planking and caulking were complete, Loveen was handed over to the Sea Scouts and club crew to finish her — filling seams, priming the bare wood, painting the hull, splicing lines, and rigging the boat.
On Saturday, October 16th, 2021, after a two-year restoration, Loveen was officially relaunched, marking yet another proud moment in Galway’s living maritime heritage.
Built Together With
Our Community
Building a boat took a community and is an experience we are proud to have achieved with the help and guidance of many. There are many people and businesses who helped us to get this project to the end.
Gratitude to
Our Supporters
Mayor Collette Connolly, the local Parish Priest for the blessing and all our special invited guests and the Claddagh Hall for hos8ng our event. The Hernon family for their dedication, commitment, exper8se, advice, skills and patience. We will never be able to put into words how grateful we are and honoured to have been able to work alongside you on the project. Our commodore Ciaran Oliver and his extended family for all the hard work and 8me in all areas of the club and out on the water. Alan Delahunty and the Port of Galway Sea Scouts, especially scout leaders Marty Concannon and Tina Concannon for their 8me and dedication during the project. The local Claddagh community for embracing our project and geong involved at every opportunity and our neighbouring club The Galway Hookers – Bádóirí an Chladaigh for sailing alongside us and also having the love for these beautiful craft. We cannot individually name our 120 crew members but a massive thanks to each and every one of you for all you’ve done over the last two years and pulling it all together, for all the time spent of social media posts to keep followers updated as we progress through the restoration. The launch of Loveen was an amazing scene to come across the river and see and hear all the ac8vity in Claddagh.
