Cong-Galway Race Rescheduled to August 31st

10th May 2024

Europe’s longest and oldest inland dinghy race takes a 30 nautical mile course from Lisloughrey pier, near Cong at the north end of lough Corrib to Galway city

The organisers of the annual Cong-Galway race have decided to change the date to August 31st.

An initial date of June 2nd had been set when registration opened this week.

Europe’s longest and oldest inland dinghy race takes a 30 nautical mile course from Lisloughrey pier, near Cong at the north end of lough Corrib to Galway city.

It follows the old steamer route across the lake, and finishing the course - which involves a number of navigational hazards- is regarded as an achievement in itself.

Last year, 26 entrants in the dinghy class and six in the cruiser class participated in a rescheduled event, which had been postponed from the original date due to weather.

Gary Mangan (ISA) won the dinghy class in a Catapult catamaran, with Rob Talbot and Cian de Bairéad of Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil (CSS) coming second in a 420.

Andy Flanagan and Astrid Plaas of Galway Bay SC were third in a Dart 16, while the Port of Galway Sea Scouts crew, helmed by Daniel Concannon with David Schirliu, Aaron Fahy and Lorcan Carron, took first in the cruiser class.

The collaborative effort has involved five clubs—Galway Bay SC, Galway City Sailing Club, Galway Hooker Sailing Club, Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club and CSS

To register, click here

Published in Cong-Galway Race

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The Cong-Galway: Ireland’s oldest inland sailing race

The annual Cong – Galway Sailing Race is Europe’s oldest and longest inland water sailing race.

The original Cong-Galway Race started at the Royal Galway Yachting Club in Galway City and travelled to Ashford Castle in Cong before returning to Galway City, a race distance of 61.5 nautical miles.

The 2020 race is the 137th such race.

The Cong-Galway Race was a huge social event in Galway until 1914. It never recovered after the First World War and was last held in its old format in 1931. The race was later revived in 1972. Now half the original length, the race starts at Lisloughrey pier, near Ashford Castle, and ends just past the Quincentennial Bridge in Galway City.

Cong Galway Race Course

The Cong to Galway Race start is from Lisloughrey Pier in Cong, Co. Mayo and is typically scheduled for 10.30 a.m. on a course through Upper and Lower Lough Corrib to the finish line at Corrib Village on the River Corrib in Galway. The race makes a stop for lunch at Kilbeg Pier, approximately half way, where timings will be taken for the restart.