Our Crew

Live the history of Claddagh and the Galway Hooker with us

When you come from generations of seafarers, keeping traditional fishing and boat-building practices alive on Galway Bay becomes a vocation. Our boat tours are designed to give you the best boat tour experience on Galway Bay.

See the sights of Galway from the sea while our crew bring you back in time with our story of Claddagh and the days of the Galway Hooker.

Ciaran Oliver

Ciaran is the main tour guide and has considerable experience in maritime instruction and commercial fishing. He is an extremely talented sailor with  multiple certificates in both powerboat and sailing, and has taught countless people in Galway and beyond.

He is the heart and soul of Galway Bay Boat Tours and his passion for the Claddagh and the Galway Hooker is contagious. When he’s not fishing, sailing or on the water – he works as a firefighter with Fire & Rescue Galway.

David Oliver

David is always on hand to jump on a tour during the busy summer season, he has extensive experience on the sea having grown up on the water. David holds multiple certificates in powerboat training and has been a crew member of Galway Lifeboat since 1996 where he holds the role of Helmsman.

When he is not on the water he works as a Fire Fighter with Fire & Rescue Galway.

Collette Furey

Collette joined Galway Bay Boat Tours in 2019 through the Galway Hooker Sailing Club. She has a fascinating story of her own – during winter she works at sea on a Dutch Tall Ship, Bark Europa, where her roles include deck crew, guide, galley hand. She intertwines her story with local history of Claddagh and the Galway Hookers, including Anam Cara which she co-owns.

She is an Irish Sailing powerboat instructor and helps run our community Sea School project to educate children on all aspects of the marine world.

Phoebe – Ships First Mate

Every ship captain needs their first mate and Phoebe, our 4 year old cocker spaniel certainly fills that role.

She is a busy crew member and hasn’t time to be on all our tours – but has certainly checked them out to make sure they all received her ‘dog friendly’ paw mark of approval!

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came.

Our crew gallery