The Associations

Cumann na Húicéirí - the Galway Hooker Association - was established in 1978 for the purpose of promoting the restoration and preservation of traditional boats in Ireland, especially the Galway Hooker in its various forms (Bad mór, Leathbhád, Gleoiteog and Púcán). As well as that it provided a means of communication between people who shared a common interest. In its first annual newsletter (January 1980) the aims of the association were elaborated in greater detail as follows:

• to promote interest in hookers, púcáns and gleoiteogs
• to supervise and control racing and regattas
• to preserve existing boats and to revive the classes
• to define the class specification for each of the three classes
• to encourage any other activities, which would promote these aims

In the intervening years there has been a great revival of interest in these boats accompanied by the rebuilding and re-commissioning of old craft along with the construction of new boats.

The Claddagh Community Boat Club (The Claddagh Boatmen), better known as Bádóirí an Chladaigh, is dedicated to the restoration and sailing of Galway Hookers. This Associaton was estabilished with the aim - in their own words - “to teach young people how to restore the boats, how to sail them and, on the way, instil within Irish youth the importance of their own history and tradition, and its relevance in the modern world…young people from all backgrounds are brought into contact with the traditional sailing craft and the skills required to build, maintain and save them”.