Inishbofin Maritime Festival 2026

Inishbofin, a small island off the Connemara coast, holds its annual regatta and maritime festival on Sunday 16 August 2026. Known locally simply as “the Regatta,” the day centres on traditional currach racing in the sheltered waters off the island’s harbour, a tradition still very much alive on the west coast islands. It suits anyone with an interest in traditional Irish boats and island life, and gives a good reason to plan a day trip around the ferry crossing from the mainland.

What to Expect

Registration for crews opens at 12pm at the New Pier, with the first race getting under way around 1pm. The programme is built around 4-oar and 6-oar currach races, contested by crews from Inishbofin and neighbouring communities, with the harbour providing a natural amphitheatre for spectators lining the pier and the shore road above it. Once the racing wraps up, the celebrations move to the Beach Bar, which lays on a hog roast, live music, and a fundraising raffle that helps cover the cost of running the regatta each year. It is a genuine community occasion rather than a tourist production - islanders take real pride in the standard of rowing, and the atmosphere on the pier during a close race is the best reason to make the crossing in person.

Getting There

Inishbofin is reached by passenger ferry from Cleggan Pier in Connemara, a crossing of roughly 30 to 45 minutes depending on conditions. Cleggan itself sits about 80km from Galway city via the N59 and R341, a drive of around an hour and a half. Sailings run more frequently through the summer months, so it is worth checking timetables in advance and allowing time to park at Cleggan, since the pier car park fills up on regatta day. The island itself is small enough to get around entirely on foot once you arrive.

Good to Know

• Date: Sunday 16 August 2026 - confirm ahead as sailing and race times can shift with weather
• Time: Registration from 12pm, first race around 1pm
• Venue: New Pier for the racing, then the Beach Bar afterwards
• Price: Free to attend; the Beach Bar raffle raises funds for the regatta
• Ferry: Book the Cleggan to Inishbofin crossing separately in advance