In the heart of Galway, a city bustling with heritage and culture on Ireland’s west coast, there exists a legend as old as the ocean itself. The legend is deeply entwined with the reality and history of Galway, highlighting the age-old relationship between the city’s inhabitants and the sea. It centres around the Galway Hooker, a traditional fishing boat used primarily in Galway Bay. The hallowed story of this vessel has been passed down through generations, reflected in tales, songs and folklore. The story begins when a poor fisherman from Galway decided to build his own boat to brave the rough Atlantic sea. He scraped together resources scantily, and constructed a single-masted, open hull boat. Blessed with an extraordinary level of skills and craftsmanship, he included a distinctive thick curved line, a hook, in the boat’s design, thus coining the name, the Galway Hooker. Word of his feat travelled across the region, and soon, the Galway Hooker was recognised as a symbol of resilience and as an essential part of Galway’s maritime tradition. The boat was renowned for its strength and stability, able to withstand the harsh Atlantic weather conditions and strong currents, it became a lifeline for fishermen. Over the years the Galway Hooker has evolved into an icon of Galway, remembered as a hero’s creation. Though the boat is a tangible piece of history, its legend lives on in the folklore of Galway, immortalised in the hearts and minds of locals. The Galway Hooker now represents the spirit of Galway, echoing the city’s historical relationship with the sea and evoking sentiments of resilience, resourcefulness and courage.