A Connemara community has received an international award for its construction of a Galway “galley”. The craft is a replica of a class which was used in the Ceantar na n-Oileán area of south Connemara 130 years ago to transport goods to and from Galway hookers.
The wooden craft was built by a group of fishermen and secondary school students in Tír an Fhia, south Connemara.
The project won the “traditional new build” (under 40ft) category in Classic Boat magazine’s 2013 awards presented in London last night.
John Bhaba Jeaic Ó Conghaíle of Lettermullen Heritage Centre said the use of galleys died out when currachs proved to be more pliable as tenders for Galway hookers.
“A former duke of Edinburgh came to Ceantar na n-Oileán in 1899, and galleys were used then to ferry the party,” Mr Ó Conghaíle said. “The last one was in use in this area until 1969, and we found it and took the mould from it to build a replica.”
