There are four classes of traditional sailing boats in Connemara: Bád Mór (Hookers) , Leathbhád, Gleoiteog and Púcán. The Gleoiteog is divided into two sub-classes: Gleoiteoga Móra and Gleoteoga Beaga.
Hooker races in Connemara are usually held during the day at many of the summer regattas held along the coast. (details of the regattas can be found at http://www.huiceiri.ie/ )
The boats that race have been restored by the Galway Hooker Association ( http://www.huiceiri.ie/) which plays a critical role in maintaining the boat building, navigation and maintenance skills necessary to preserve these unique and beautiful vessels.
The hooker "Bád Mór" has for over 200 years been the maritime workhorse of Connemara carrying turf to the Aran islands, Mayo or Clare and returning with a load of fish or limestone to feed Conenmaras lime kilns. Connemara had a maritime tradition and the sea was the major means of moving from one point to the other along the coast for people living on islands, peninsulas or the mainland coast. They sailed to Galway to shop in these boats built especially to navigate the bays and narrow inlets of Connemara, rough open seas and shallow waters.
