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music · Saturday 8 August 2026 · See schedule 
Cruinniu na mBad Festival 2026 - Kinvara Hooker Regatta
At Kinvara Harbour · Kinvara, Co. Galway
At Kinvara Harbour · Kinvara, Co. Galway
Kinvara Harbour fills with the dark sails of Galway Hookers every August for Cruinniú na mBád - the Gathering of the Boats. Now in its 47th year, this is one of Ireland’s longest-running traditional sailing festivals, drawing up to 100 of the west’s iconic working boats onto the water at the same time. The sailing is the centrepiece, but the weekend spreads well beyond the harbour wall: traditional sessions run through the pubs and venues, sean nós singers perform, and the village takes on a festival atmosphere that suits families as much as sailing enthusiasts.
The races are organised by boat class - Bád Mór (35 to 44 feet), Leath Bhád (around 32 feet), Gleoiteog, and the smaller Púcán - so there is always something moving across the bay regardless of when you arrive. The Galway Hooker is a heavily built, black-hulled boat with a deep-red or tan sail; the sight of a fleet tacking across Kinvara Bay under August skies is worth the journey on its own.
On land, traditional music sessions run throughout the weekend, with some of the best players in the country drawn to the festival. Kids activities include a disco, a fancy dress party open to all ages, and circus skills workshops. The festival has its roots in the trade that once ran across Galway Bay: for generations, Hookers carried turf from Carraroe to Kinvara, and the gathering was founded in 1979 to keep that memory alive. Admission to most events is free.
Kinvara sits on the south shore of Galway Bay, roughly 40 kilometres from Galway City. By car, take the N6 east from Galway then the R480 south through Ardrahan - the drive takes about 35 minutes. There is no direct bus service; most visitors drive. Parking in the village fills quickly on race days, so arriving early or walking in from the approach roads is the practical approach.
Dunguaire Castle stands at the edge of the harbour, and the South Galway coastline runs into the Burren if you are making a full day of it. There is more to see in Kinvara and across Co. Galway.
Heading to Kinvara Harbour in Kinvara? Galway has plenty more to see. Read the Kinvara area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.