The Races

Once utilitarian boats, Hookers are now used as leisure crafts: the skills of boat builders and crews can be appreciated during the Summer Regattas. The Races take place along a course marked out on the sea by buoys, around which, competing craft must turn several times in order to complete the race.
Before the Regatta commences, three sound signals are given, which act as a countdown to the start of race. Where different classes of boats are racing against one another, the second sound signal indicates the start of the race for slower boats, and the time in minutes between this sound and the final signal indicates the applied handicap for that day. While waiting for this final signal, the skippers keep their boats moving to evaluate the race course and conditions that day.
The races are held in Galway - Bádóiri an Chladaigh - and all over South Connemara: Rossaveel, Spiddal, Kilkieran, Lettermullan, Carraroe, Rosmuc, Cashel, Roundstone and two of the Aran Islands (Inishmore and Inishmaan) are traditional venues for Summer regattas.