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Galway Bay |
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Galway Bay is a large bay on
the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway and the
Burren in County Clare.
Galway Bay is about 50
kilometres long and from 10 to 30 kilometres in breadth.
The Aran Islands are to
the west across the entrance and there are numerous small
islands within the bay. |
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The Galway Hooker
Galway Bay is famous for its unique traditional sailing craft, the Galway
Hooker. The Hookers were probably at their greatest presence in the Bay in the
years preceding the Great Famine, when the Claddagh was at its height.
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Indeed, several reports from the period verify
that the Claddagh fleet itself numbered at least 100 vessels; a number which
clearly distinguishes Galway as the West's centre for boat building. Sadly,
famine, depleted fishing stocks, and the advent of modern technology would
eventually seal the Hooker's fate as a working vessel. |
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Popular Activities on Galway Bay
Sailing ; Galway Bay sailing club is located at Renville Oranmore.
Visit the Islands ; the Aran Islands can be visited from Rossaveal, while
Inisbofin can be visited from Cleggan.
Cruising the Bay ; cruises are avialable during the summer holiday period.
Deep Sea Fishing available from Cleggan.
Swimming in one of the many
beaches that dot the
Connemara coast.
Coast Tours (Connemara or Burren)
Drive along the coast road
from Galway to Spiddal and view the splendour of Galway Bay. Later in the day
one can experience the famed in song 'Sun go down on Galway Bay'
Continuing West takes one into the Twelve Bens of Connemara.
Driving south from Galway City takes one through Kinvara to the Burren area of
County Clare. The Aillwee cave is one of the many attractions on this route.
Galway Bay in popular culture
Galway Bay song by Arthur Colahan :
If you ever go across the sea to Ireland,
Then maybe at the closing of your day,
You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay.
Galway Bay is mentioned in the lyrics of "Fairytale of New York" in the
line
The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay". This is most probably a
reference to the song 'Galway Bay'. |
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