Cruinniu na mBad (The gathering of the boats)

The Parish priest talking to some members of the congregation after mass on the quayside
Some of the boats parpticipating in a race on the bay at Kinvara. Note the red sails.
A close-up of two hookers tied up at the harbour wall waiting for the tide.

I have been enjoying a few days break and this weekend the annual gathering of the boats was being held in Kinvara on the shores of Galway Bay. This event attracts many of the old traditional fishing boats that were used on our west coast and these sturdy vessels were known as Hookers, believe it or not. They were also used to transport cargo, mainly turf (peat) from the bogs of Connemara, to the surrounding mainland towns, and also to the islands offshore. The Galway Bay hookers were famous for their red sails as you can see in the photos above. All though the weekend they have races up and down the bay and the pubs are alive at night with traditonal music and plenty of good old "sean nos" (traditional) singing. Needless to say there is plenty of Guinness consumed and plenty of lively fun both in the pubs and out on the streets.
On the Sunday morning they celebrate mass on the quay-side (the harbour) to commemorate the many men who down through the years served the locals and kept them supplied with turf for their fires and provisions to keep them fed. Many lost their lives at sea and even recent years has seen its disasters.
Many of these boats are today owned by boating enthusiasts and are no longer used for the purpose of transporting goods. They still hold a special place in the hearts of people all along the west coast.
Our weather continues to be a mixture of sunshine and showers and the temperatures are very pleasant and the air is clean and fresh. Give me Irish weather anytime.
Comments welcome.