Drone Footage Captures Spectacle Of Irish Boating Event In Galway

We are treated to a peaceful reprieve from the usual melodrama. A bucolic scene of a red sailed Galway hooker plies the coastline of Galway Bay. The vessels, including the smaller currach of ancient design are purely of Irish origin. Ireland is an island, after all, and it would have no inhabitants but for the courage of a sea faring people.

We can imagine the captain’s thoughts, “All I need is a calm sea, and wind to fill my sail.”

Besides their ruddy hue, the Galway hooker is identifiable by its bowsprit lashed to a bluff bow; the single mast with mainsail, and two foresails. In our bird’s eye view, the hookers seem more engaged as a duet than a duel. If there is any contest at all, it is between the individual captain and his God.

At the 2:44 mark we see the contrast between the hooker cruising in full sail and the hooker at rest, with its two foresails rolled. It is a peaceful boat, with a peaceful purpose. The boat was originally made for fishing, an essential livelihood of the Irish people whose peculiar fortune it is to be surrounded by a harsh sea.

At around the 3 minute mark we see a lone hooker pushed by the wind, rather showing off as the beam reach causes heeling to starboard (the wind makes the boat lean to the right). Is this a normal work day for the crew, or do they get pleasure from participating in the event? And what of the drone operator, who captures such pure footage that we taste the very essence of sailing in this video? If videography is a valid art form, perhaps it’s time to recognize the degrees of excellence between drone pilots. And where the skilled drone pilot meets skilled sailboat captain, well, we get this.

“At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much,” said Robin Lee Graham.

Near the end of the video, we see a view of the stern where the pilot is guiding the rudder and a glimpse of a mate at his side, seemingly enraptured by a book, leaning back; his feet casually resting atop the hull. We don’t know what time of day these mariners are at their pastime, but we get a sense of a rather warm, peaceful afternoon in the bay. The currach takes second billing in this video, and briefly, we get to see the geography of the area, as well. The harbor looks safe and shallow, but beyond the strip of land on our “port” side”, we can see the open ocean. It’s likely the sailors take their roles with more seriousness intent.

We hope the author brings more of the soul of Ireland through the window of our laptops and smartphones. You are our passport without jet lag, and your vision requires no currency exchange.

Finally, we leave the reader with this anonymous blessing: “May good luck be your Captain, and sunshine be your Mate. May laughter be your Pilot, and happiness be your freight.”