Sruthán Buí is a 17-year-old gleoiteog based in Lettermullen, south Connemara, which will embark on an unusual trip later this month.
Its owner Mairtín Óg MacDonnacha, his cousins Joe and Michael Barrett and several others will set off on May 19th - weather permitting - from Lettermullen for Galway city - via the lake and river Corrib, rather than the coast.
The aim is to raise funds for the Tigh Nan Dooley child education and development centre in An Cheathrú Rua, and for a local defibrillator campaign.
Padraig Ned O Chualain is assisting them with transporting the gleoiteog by truck from Leenane when they transfer from sea to Lough Corrib.
“My cousin Joe Barrett did it in a kayak in 2019, and we were talking about it, and said it hadn’t been done in a hooker before, “MacDonnacha said of the idea.
The first leg will be from Lettermullen to Rosroe pier outside the Killary, and from there on the second day, they will sail to Leenane.
Mairtín Óg MacDonnacha on board the gleoiteog Sruthán Buí with his cousins Michael and Joe Barrett
Sruthán Buí will then be taken by truck to Maam, where it will have to be derigged, and then rigged again on the lake for the next leg.
The challenge will take place over several weekends, to allow for crew work commitments.
“We hope to have it finished up on May 27th,”MacDonnacha said. “If the weather is promised bad, we might have to adjust those dates.”
MacDonnacha paid tribute to the support of Coilín Hernon and members of the Galway Hooker Sailing Club for their support.
The gleoiteog will stay on a mooring in the Claddagh basin in Galway until the crew are ready to sail it back by sea to Lettermullen.
Mairtín Og MacDonnacha and Michael Barrett spoke to Wavelengths at Tigh Mhicheál Jack, the Hooker Bar in Bealadangan, south Connemara, and you can listen below
