FAQ
What is a Galway Hooker?
The Galway hooker is a traditional fishing boat used in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. It is identified by its sharp, clean entry, bluff bow, marked tumblehome and raked transom. Its sail plan consists of a single mast with a mainsail and two foresails. Traditionally, the boat is black (being coated in pitch) and the sails are a dark red-brown.
The hooker refers to four classes of boats. All are named in Irish. The Bád Mór (big boat) ranges in length from 10.5 to 13.5 metres (35 to 44 feet). The smaller Leathbhád (half-boat) is about 10 metres (28 feet) in length. Both the Bád Mór and Leathbhád are decked forward of the mast. These boats were used to carry turf to be used as fuel across Galway Bay from Connemara and County Mayo to the Aran Islands and the Burren. The boats often brought limestone on the return journeys, to neutralise the acid soils of Connemara and Mayo. The Gleoiteog ranges in length from 7 to 9 metres (24 to 28 feet), and has the same sails and rigging as the larger boats. They were used for fishing and carrying cargo. Another boat, the Púcán, is similar in size to the Gleoiteog but has a lug mainsail and a foresail. These smaller boats were entirely open.
How much is it to join?
We have three types of membership:
Single/Ordinary membership (€110 this includes a membership fee of €30 plus a Club Development Contribution of €80);
Family membership (€180 this includes a membership fee of €60 plus a Club Development Contribution of €120 for a family);
Non-Sailing/Associate membership €30 (no Club Development Contribution).Please see ‘Join Our Club’ for further details.
What is the Club Development Contribution?
This contribution goes towards everyday running of our club. Our mission is to protect and restore Galway’s traditional sailing boats as well as training people in traditional boat building and teaching members how to sail these magnificent boats. This fund will allow us to acquire the materials and equipment needed to do this.
Where are you located?
We are mainly located within the heart of Galway City, between the Claddagh, and Galway Docklands, or where you might spot one of our beautiful Hookers sailing in by Nimmo’s Pier. But we do have several other location points that we use to meet up for different purposes, for example; the Workshop is where most of the boat restoration occurs, here you may like to get your hands dirty, sanding, varnishing and painting on one of our fantastic restoration projects, such as the Loveen!
5. How do I get a tour on a Galway Hooker?
If all you are looking for is the rare experience of sailing on one of Galway’s prestigious sailing boats, then first you need to get your hands dirty. If you join as a member of our club, following successful completion of the Hooker Skills Training Course, there is a very strong chance that you may get a chance to join a skipper and his crew sailing out on one of these magnificent boats.
However, if you don’t have time to join, or you’re visiting, then maybe you would like to take a tour out on the Galway Bay where you may see a Hooker sailing firsthand! There are a variety of tours available to accommodate your time and interests, from exploring the sea with local fisherman Ciaran Oliver, to spotting our local resident dolphin Nimmo out past Devil’s Corner. There is also the option of visiting our Workshop; where you may get the chance to witness first hand, our marvellously skilled Master boat builders father and son, Coilin Hernon and Colin Og Hernon hard at work (if the workshop is all you’re interested in, please see our ‘Workshop Sessions’ under 'Restoration Projects’).
For more information on our Workshop
6. How do I volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer on any of our boat building projects, please send us a message.
Email: galwayhookercrew@gmail.com or phone: + 353 (0) 87 280 70 28. Everyone is welcome to join and participate. We very much look forward to meeting and working with you.
7. How often do you sail?
An excellent question and one strictly conditional on the weather; the tides; availability of our boats; our skippers, and some crew. Once we have all these magical ingredients ready, we are set to go. Our most common sailing times are mornings and weekends during the Summer, with some sailing happening during both Spring, and Autumn. But we usually take our Hookers in for the Winter to avoid any damage, and to protect them from the elements.
8. I have no experience sailing, can I still become a member?
Yes, everyone and every experience level is most welcome. We will meet you where you are at, and provide you with an introductory course if you would like to sign up for Full Membership and wish to avail of sailing opportunities later on. Many of our crew never sailed prior to joining our club, and are now climbing up the ranks towards ‘top crew’ or ‘skipper’! So there is plenty of room to learn, grow and flourish within the GHSC.
We follow a saying here ‘what you give is what you get back’, which means that once you join our Club, and participate / volunteer in any way that you can (all skills in all capacities are welcome and often needed, from web design and development, Microsoft Excel, photography and social media skills, etc.), then you will be offered an opportunity to join a skipper and they’re crew for a sail.
9. I have no experience / plenty of experience in boat-building and / or carpentry, can I still join or volunteer?
All experience is welcome. We are always looking for diversity of experiences and knowledge within our club, as there are many different types of roles and responsibilities available for those who are interested. With whatever you bring to the club, with your enthusiasm and spare time there will be a space for you to contribute and participate. If you are a carpenter or tradesperson, there are plenty of opportunities to participate as we are in the middle of expanding some of our work-spaces so, if you’re interested, all hands on deck!
10. Is there an age restriction in membership? Can members of my family join too?
We welcome everyone at every age, and even encourage children and youth to become active members within our club and organisation. We hope to create more resources and workshops for children and youth members, so please watch this space. But for now, we have our Family Membership (see our ‘Membership Options’) available for those who would like to get their children out on the boats alongside them. We also work with the Scouts, and the Galway City Museum, and hope to create an educational resource centre to foster and develop a space where children and adults alike can come together to learn more about the Galway Hookers, and the history and practice of sailing and boat-building alike. We also welcome school tours and visits. We have worked with and collaborated with many local schools from Galway City, and welcome the cross-pollination. Our children are our future Skippers and boat builders, who will become the Guardians of this cherished Galway heritage.
11. What is your statement with regards to ‘inclusivity & diversity’?
Everyone is welcome in our club, we have members that have hailed from near and far, including America, Germany, France, the UK, Spain, and so forth. And we look forward to welcoming many more.
12. Where can I park my car?
Parking can usually be found near most of our meeting points. By the Claddagh there is parking near the Claddagh Hall & Park, also, there is plenty of parking in the Docklands area too, Jurys Inn also provides sheltered parking. As Galway is a small city, everything is usually within walking distance, but please peruse our map above for more information.
13. How are you following COVID-19 protocols?
We are following all Government regulations and guidelines, requesting that everyone fills in and completes the required COVID Registration forms, meeting outdoors in pods of 15 or less, wearing masks and following all health regulation protocols.
14. Do you sail or build any other types of boats?
The quick answer is no. As we are a club who are deeply passionate about preserving the history and culture of the Galway Hookers, we focus our attention and resources solely on them. However, we are affiliated with Irish Sailing, and we welcome sailors or skippers of all types within our club to take a spin on one of Ireland’s finest historical relics.
15. What types of training do you provide?
Please see our page on Training Courses available for further information.