GALWAY CITY'S iconic hooker fleet is to be restored in time for next year's Volvo Ocean Race stopover in the port.
Up to six vessels in the Claddagh basin may benefit immediately from the initiative, which is being funded by the Heritage Council and Galway City Council.
The traditional craft with their calico sails are synonymous with the western capital, but boats based in the city and on the south side of the bay have become prohibitively expensive to maintain.
West of the city, traditional boat owners have been able to avail of Gaeltacht grant-aid to subvent the heavy maintenance costs associated with wooden craft.
Galway City Council's heritage officer Jim Higgins said the new programme for non-Gaeltacht vessels had been developed with Báidoirí na Cladaigh, the Claddagh Boatowners' Association.
The Heritage Council and Galway City Council have each promised €10,000. Mr Higgins hoped other bodies would provide finance to ensure a fleet of Claddagh vessels would be seaworthy in time for next year's Volvo Ocean Race stopover.
"It would be wonderful to witness the traditional craft leading the modern fleet into the docks," he said. "We also want to ensure that many of the skills associated with the craft are maintained, and that vessels can remain on the water where they belong."
The vessels may include several gleoiteogs, the smaller version of the Galway hooker, with the oldest having been built about 150 years ago on Long Walk.
While a number of Connemara boatbuilding families developed reputations for constructing the cargo-cum-fishing craft with their "tumblehome" hulls, the centre of expertise in the early 19th century centre was on the Claddagh.
The Claddagh fleet had up to 250 boats in 1824. The initiative coincides with the death of one of the last original working skippers, Pat Jennings (93), who is to be buried today.