Good Friday, 19th April: 5pm
Location: Claddagh Quay / Community Hall, Galway
Tickets not needed. Free event. Just pop along!
Speeches
Cutting the Ribbon & Blessing of the Boat
Refreshments & Entertainment
Bring Pot Luck Picnic (bring something to share)
A group of dedicated boat-builders and volunteers have lovingly spent the last five months restoring a beautiful Galway Hooker: The ‘Lovely Anne’. As part of a series of celebratory events, they are delighted to officially launch her into the water at Claddagh Quay, on Good Friday.
Organised by Galway Hooker 2020, Bádóirí an Cladaig and the wider Claddagh community, this group of sailors, fishers & boat-builders are delighted to invite all of Galway’s diverse communities to come together to support and share this historical occasion.
During this family event you will experience a traditional blessing of the boat, a cutting the ribbon ceremony, as well as have a chance to be photographed with the Lovely Anne and talk to the team of boat-builders.
The Lovely Anne: This 137 year-old workboat was built in 1882 by Galway boat-wright, Patrick Brannelly (famous for building An Tónaí & the Morning Star). She has a fascinating story.After being part of Galway’s hooker fleet in the early 1900s she was sold over 46 years ago in Spiddal to Jim Parkinson, who fished her for many years. Later he relocated to Killybegs, Co. Donegal and the boat has been in his possession ever since.Last year (2018) Ross Forde (Brannelly's Great-Great Grandson) brought the boat back to Galway, and on Friday she will officially join the rest of Galway’s famous hooker fleet.
