Galway Hooker - Semi Abstract Sailboat Art - Original Coastal Canvas Print

Welcome a fresh sea breeze into your interior space with a painting of a Galway hooker boat by Catherine McKinnon! This canvas print of reproduction of the original oil painting will lend modern coastal style to your surroundings.

We print your seascape onto one of our premium canvases and then stretch it onto a wooden frame:

• 1.5" x 1.5" solid pine stretcher bars
• packaged and shipped to your door
• delivered "ready to hang" with pre-attached hanging wire, mounting hooks and nails 
• three side-wrapping options: mirrored, black and white

Available in five traditional and contemporary print formats at ArtoftheSea.ca

• Giclee Fine Art Print
• Framed Giclee Fine Art Print
• Canvas Print
• Metal Print* 
• Acrylic Print*

*For Metal and Acrylic Prints, please email us to place a custom order.

About the Galway Hooker

The Galway hooker boat is a traditional sailing vessel that originated in the western region of Ireland known as Connemara. This boat has a unique design and has been an important part of Irish coastal culture for centuries. For this reason, artists often depict it in coastal artworks, serving as a symbol of Ireland's seafaring history and the beauty of its coastline.

It is a type of sailboat that was used primarily for fishing and transporting goods along the west coast of Ireland. Typically made from wood, its distinctive design features a plumb bow, a broad beam, and a single mast with a split jib and gaff-rigged mainsail. The boat's name comes from the Irish word "húicéir," which means "hooker" or "sailboat."

The boat is so beloved along the west coast of Ireland that it inspired the creation of a popular beer which was named in its honour: Galway Hooker Beer. If you look closely at the label, you will see an abstract illustration of the boat framed by the beer.

The Iconic Fishing Boat of Galway Bay

Historically, the Galway hooker was an essential part of life in the coastal communities of Connemara, and it played a significant role in the local economy. Fishermen used the boats to catch salmon, mackerel, and other fish, while merchants used them to transport goods such as turf, livestock, and building materials.

The boat was also used in races and regattas. These were popular events in many coastal towns and villages and continue to this day in Galway Bay.

The Galway Hooker in Coastal Art and Marine Painting

The unique design of the Galway hooker has made it a popular subject in nautical art. As a result, you can find paintings and photographs of this boat in galleries and museums throughout Ireland.

Also, it is a symbol of Irish identity and heritage. Many artists try to portray the boat's elegant lines and graceful movement on the water, as well as its historical significance. When you look at the label of a Galway Hooker Beer, you will see an illustration of this nautical icon. 

One of the most famous depictions of the Galway hooker in art is the marine painting "The Arrival of the Galway Hookers" by Jack B. Yeats. The work shows a group of boats sailing into a harbor, their sails billowing in the wind.

The scene is alive with color and motion, capturing the energy and excitement of a busy port. Yeats loved the sea and also had a keen interest in the traditional crafts and customs of rural Ireland.

About the Artist

Catherine McKinnon is a coastal artist from Nova Scotia, Canada. She has always been drawn to the ocean, wooden boats and the visual imagery of maritime life. Her coastal art depicts the majesty and beauty of the sea and the boats and ships that navigate its waters. 

McKinnon's passion for nautical painting led her to study fine arts at Rhode Island School of Design. During her time there, she continued to explore her fascination with the ocean in her drawings and paintings.

She developed her own unique style of nautical art which is semi abstract, yet representational. She is particularly drawn to the colors and textures of the sea. As a result, her art reflects this through the use of vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, McKinnon is a wooden schooner owner, a sailor and a fiddler. Also a passionate advocate for ocean conservation, she is a "Wavemaker" with Oceana, an international organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale.