How old is Galway port?

Galway was founded in the 13th century by the de Burgo family, and became an important seaport with sailing ships bearing wine imports and exports of fish, hides and wool.

How old is Galway bay?

Not as old as previously thought. Galway bay was once a series of lagoons, known as Loch Lurgan, plied by people in log canoes. Ancient tree stumps exposed by storms in 2010 have been dated back about 7,500 years.

What is the tonnage of the port?

It is about 660,000 tonnes as it is a tidal port.

Who is the harbourmaster of Galway port?

Capt Brian Sheridan, who succeeded his late father, Capt Frank Sheridan

When are the lock gates open?

The dock gates open approximately two hours before high water and close at high water subject to ship movements on each tide.

What's the biggest ship that can 'fit' in the harbour?

The typical ship sizes are in the region of 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes

Is renewable energy generating a lot of business for Galway port?

Turbines for about 14 wind projects have been imported in recent years, but the tonnage of these cargoes is light. A European industry report calculates that each turbine generates €10 million in locally generated revenue during construction and logistics/transport.

Is Galway a European cable location?

Yes, Iceland has selected Galway as European landing location for international telecommunications cables. Farice, a company wholly owned by the Icelandic Government, currently owns and operates two submarine cables linking Iceland to Northern Europe.

What's the update on the Galway port expansion plans?

It is "very much a live project", Harbourmaster Capt Sheridan says, and the Port of Galway board is "awaiting the outcome of a Bord Pleanála determination", he says.

Where does all the scrap go at Galway Port?

90% of the scrap steel is exported to Spain with the balance being shipped to Portugal. Since the pandemic, scrap steel is shipped to the Liverpool where it is either transhipped to larger ships bound for China.

Why is Galway Port exporting silage and the Irish farmers are crying out for it?

It might look like silage, but in fact, its bales domestic and municipal waste, exported to Denmark where the waste is incinerated, and the heat is used in district heating of homes and schools. It is called RDF or Refuse Derived Fuel and has been exported out of Galway since 2013.

When is the new ferry starting service from Galway?

The new ferry is arriving at Galway Bay onboard the cargo ship SVENJA. The vessel is currently on passage to Belem, Brazil before making her way across the Atlantic to Galway.

Is the Volvo Ocean Race coming back to Galway?

Two Volvo round world races have selected Galway for the prestigious yacht race route. Some 10,000 people welcomed the boats in during its first stopover in 2009, when a festival was marked by stunning weather. It was also selected for the race finish in 2012. The Volvo has changed its name and is now known as the "Ocean Race". Capt Sheridan says that once port expansion and the re-urbanisation of the docklands is complete, the port will welcome the "ocean race, Clipper race, Tall Ships race, Small Ships Regatta and maybe the America's Cup right into the city centre...".

When is Seafest coming back to Galway?

The pandemic was the reason why Seafest did not go ahead in Cork in 2020.Galway will welcome Seafest back after it calls to Waterford and Limerick, thus having been to all the Port cities.

Displaying items by tag: Galway

2nd June 2010

Local Hero Hoping to Conquer Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship

Thirteen thrill-seeking powerboat racing teams will charge into Galway on Ireland’s west coast this week for round two of the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship. The Galway Grand Prix of the Sea will kick-start the Irish bank holiday weekend celebrations and begin a seven-day powerboat racing festival.The Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship provides the opening act for the nautical extravaganza, which sees the Around Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race headlining a top billing of the finest competitive offshore powerboat racing.

Galway’s unruly Atlantic Ocean coastline will offer a stern examination of the fearless powerboat pilots’ skills with all three days of pleasure navigation racing set to present distinctive demanding conditions.

Following a successful opening event in Penzance, Cornwall, which saw 18,000 people cram onto the only promenade in England’s most south westerly county, spectator numbers for the latest round of the SuperStock Championship are expected to surge past 50,000 for the marine motorsports extravaganza.

Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship 150 Class leaders Premier Cru are hoping to continue its fine form in Ireland’s capital of entertainment. Pilot John Wilson said: “It was a cracking event to start the season but when the calendar was drafted Galway certainly stood out as the flagship Grand Prix of the Sea. To be invited to open this well respected marine festival is an honour and we will be pushing even harder to win this weekend in front of a passionate powerboat racing crowd.”

Irish eyes will be firmly glued on local entry Green Machine. Piloted by Dublin-based Alan Power, the 150 Class wildcard entry will be challenging Wilson’s Premier Cru and Penzance Grand Prix of the Sea runners-up, Team Fox, for a spot on top of the podium.

Power is looking forward to racing a monohull powerboat in an offshore race for the first time in Galway. He said: “I’m used to racing in catamarans with top speeds pushing 100 mph so I’m expecting an entirely different sensation in Galway. I think the Atlantic Ocean will make it an uncomfortable debut for all of the SuperStock Championship pilots but it’s extremely exciting to have the home support and jump inside the cockpit with an experienced pilot such as Andy Wilby.

“The thrill of the experience to join the UK series as well as the unique proposition to race single manufactured powerboats using identical engines was a test I couldn’t refuse. “

Round two of the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship begins at the Galway Grand Prix of the Sea on 5-7 June 2010.

Published in Around Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race 2010

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27th May 2010

Ocean Day Events at Galway Aquarium

Galway's National Aquarium is pushing the boat out for World Ocean Day on Sunday, with Bjorn the Polar Bear the main attraction. Bjorn and handler Ursula are among a line-up of special guests that include wildlife filmmaker Vincent Hyland, a diving world record holder, and the Irish Seal Sanctuary. There will be three Polar Bear shows, 11.00, 1.00 and 3.00pm (Tickets will be allocated for each show, early arrival is advisable!) The Aquarium is open from 10.00am to 5.00pm General Admission will apply except for a Special Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children) only 25.00 euros Tickets valid all day and include all activities For more information contact us at the aquarium on 091 585100 or email [email protected]

Published in Galway Harbour

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20th May 2010

VOR Organiser to Receive Honorary Doctorate

Volvo Ocean Race organiser John Killeen is to be honoured by NUI Galway this June with an honorary doctorate.

The Let’s Do It Ireland Chairman, who was responsible for bringing the hugely successful Volvo Ocean Race to Galway, is on a list that includes Seán Ó’hUiginn, the Irish diplomat and former Ambassador to the US and Germany, VHI chairman Bernard Collins, and Anne Maria Dennison, head of the Irish Countrywoman’s Association.

The ceremony will take place on Friday June 25^th.

Killeen is also CEO of the Colas Group, chairman of the Galway Docklands Redevelopment Committee and a former president of the Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineers of Ireland.

Published in Galway Stop

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13th May 2010

Spiddal Open Day this Sunday

Spiddal Sailing Club (Cumann Seoltóireacht an Spidéil) is holding an open day to lure more potential sailors onto the water ahead of the Volvo Oceanr Race's return for 2012. The cumann is throwing open its doors to anyone who harbours an intent to get on the water in the next 12 months, and will welcome newcomers to the club on Sunday afternoon 16 May.

The club is recognised by the ISA, and runs ISA-approved youth training courses for its members every year, ranging from an introduction to sailing to more advanced techniques. Its course programme this year runs from 28 June to 9 July.

Weather permitting, there will be opportunities to try your hand at crewing or helming in Spiddal harbour from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Published in Boating Fixtures

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11th May 2010

Galway Plays Host to Around Ireland Powerboat Race

Galway will play host yet again to a major water sport event this June with 3 events in one starting with the PI Powerboat Grand Prix of Galway on the bay 05-07 June, the start of the Around Ireland Powerboat Race on 07 June and the P750 Zapcat Challenge in the Bay 12-13 June. Alongside the activity on the bay, Galway will yet again host a major festival in the Race Village at Galway Harbour and in Salthill with free concerts, amusements, bars, food and crafts. www.aroundireland.org www.aroundireland.org

Britain’s most exciting new motorsport, the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship, is the newest addition onto the heavyweight bill for the Around Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race, beginning in Galway Bay on 5 June. Kick-starting the bank holiday weekend celebrations, round two of the 2010 SuperStock Championship will see some of the UK’s biggest thrillseekers tackle the challenging elements of the Atlantic Ocean, which is certain to provide an unforgiving racecourse for the Irish powerboat racing festival.

"The event will showcase the beauty of the Irish coastline and present our teams with a fantastic opportunity to race in the heart of an effervescent city, watched by thousands of powerboat racing fans.” Stated SuperStock Championship spokesman, Sam Feasey

Bringing additional coverage to Galway, the Powerboat P1 SuperStock Championship will be screened on British Eurosport, further highlighting Galway’s credentials to host world class events.

Following on from the success of the Volvo Ocean Race’s stopover in Galway in 2009, Feasey added that Powerboat P1 is confident that its racing fleet will augment Galway’s

passion and pride for its maritime activity.

Consisting of two race classes, 150 and 300, up to twenty identical powerboats measuring between 21 and 27 ft respectively, will entertain locals, tourists and motorsports fans for three enthralling races on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

On Bank Holiday Monday 07 June 2010 at 0900, offshore powerboats will leave Galway Bay in pursuit of the Around Ireland Offshore Powerboat title. The race will circumnavigate the entire coast of Ireland and will be the toughest endurance powerboat race on the International circuit.

The 5 days of racing will be a true test of man and machine and there will be 5 stages with events at each of the stopovers:

Galway to Killybegs (07 June)

Killybegs to Belfast (08 June)

Belfast to Waterford (09-10 June)

Waterford to Fenit (11 June)

Fenit to Galway (12 June) Fenit Sea Breeze Festival will run Friday 11- Sunday 13 June

Onshore in Galway a festival programme of music and entertainment, and food and craft markets will ensure fun for all the family against the backdrop of the programme on the water. Likewise at each of the stopover stages similar festival programmes will greet the race on arrival and ensure excitement and drama for each re-start.

The Galway Race Village will open from 1000 -2230 daily and there is a full programme of entertainment including the now famous Crystal Swing on the main stage on Sunday 06 June at 1730. In total over 20 acts are scheduled to perform over the 8 day festival including - the Cartoon Thieves, the Timber Tramps, Joe Furey and The Hayride and Emmet Scanlan and What the Good Thought

For the finale on 12 June, prepare to be amazed and in awe at the P750 Cross Border Championship and make sure you are at the dock to welcome back the winner of the Around Ireland Powerboat Challenge on Saturday 12 June.

Published in Around Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race 2010

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30th September 2009

Ballinduff Bay Watersports Club

Ballinduff Bay Watersports Club, c/o Keith Collins, Grange, Corrandulla, Co Galway. Tel: 086 601 9862, email: [email protected]

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Published in Clubs

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21st July 2009

Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club

Welcome to the CRYC web site which we hope will be of interest to members and visitors alike. Established in 1864, the CRYC is one of the oldest inland waterway clubs in the British Isles. Located in the centre of Galway City it continues to provide facilities for water-based recreational activity for almost 300 members.

Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club, Earls’ Island, Distillery Road, Newcastle, Galway. Tel: 091 564560, email: [email protected]

(Details courtesy of Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club)

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Published in Clubs

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