Traditional racing currachs were back on the water at Salthill in Galway today to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the original Tóstal na Gaillimhe.
An Tóstal, meaning The Gathering, is a celebration of Galway's maritime life and seafaring customs which was first held in 1953.
That festival, which was begun by Fáilte Ireland, featured All-Ireland Currach Racing Championships which continued until 1959.
An Tóstal was revived in 2011 for a number of years and this weekend's event marks the 10th anniversary of the last time the races were held in Galway.
The traditional racing currachs and rowers gathered at Ladies Beach in Salthill today for the two-day event featuring male, female, and junior traditional currach racing rowers alongside sliding seat rowers.
The Currachaí were provided by Cóiste Lár na gCurrachaí for the event which was organised by The Galway Hooker Sailing Club in partnership with other organisations and businesses in Salthill.
Martina Thornton of the Galway Hooker Sailing Club said the original races drew tens of thousands of spectators to the area and they hope to build on this weekend to get back to that.
The club is already working on plans for next year when they hope to invite currach rowing crews from America.
The tradition of currach racing was brought to the US by emigrants from the west of Ireland she said, and they want to welcome them back.
One person who was back today was the reigning champion of the last races held here, Michael Folan from An Cheathrú Rua.
He explained that the currachs they race in were specially built for racing and are traditional to Conamara and, he said, you need to be very fit for the sport, training two to three times a week.
The finals will be held tomorrow afternoon and Michael is aiming to hold on to his title.
Crowds watched the races from the promenade with a number of Galway hookers sailing in the background on a lovely afternoon.
For one of the organisers, Pete Kelly, it was a great showcase for the area. Pete, who is manager of the Salthill Village Business Group, says he and many others believe that Galway Bay has been under-utilised in the past, but has an awful lot to offer.
He hopes that working with the Galway Hooker Sailing Club and the Blackrock Cottage, they can develop the revived festival into a great family weekend in the area.
They have seen photos from the past when the area was thronged for An Tóstal, he said, and they hope to recreate history with what he says is the "ultimate green event."
