| Aran Direct, the islander ferry company, ran a free “Welcome Ferry” on Saturday the 24th of June for islanders and locals to welcome home the Galway Hooker “Naomh Bairbre” and her crew to Irish waters.
The Naomh Bairbre, a purpose-built Galway Hooker, left Chicago on the 26th of April and crossed the Atlantic, before returning to Ireland on Saturday to a huge welcome on sea and on land!
The Aran Direct “Welcome Ferry”, Clann na nOileáin, left Rossaveal at 1pm on Saturday with a large group from Galway and Connemara, before stopping in Inis Mór to pick up an equally large group from the Aran Islands. The ferry then travelled out to meet the Naomh Bairbre and escorted her back past the Aran Islands as part of a flotilla of welcoming boats.
The ferry was packed to capacity, and the atmosphere was electric. Sonny Choilm Larry from Lettermullen, master accordion player, provided the music for an impromptu céilí on board, while a lively group from the Craiceann festival on Inis Oírr provided music on the upper deck outside.
Aran Direct (owned by Sarah and Jimmy Clancy, who are from Inis Mór and Connemara respectively) organised the event to give locals and islanders the opportunity to welcome home the crew and show them how proud everyone is of their wonderful achievement. |
