Sports
GAA - Gaelic Football/ Hurling & Camogie
The Spiddal GAA club is a cornerstone of the community and sport in the area. The club house, along with a primary pitch and training pitch are located on the way into the village as you travel from Galway. All age groups are catered to including boys and girls from underage, to junior and senior level. The senior level hurlers often align with the Barna/ Furbo GAA for competition to form Cois Farrage. More information is available on the Club Facebook page
Kayaking the Boluisce River
Boliska lough is located just a few kilometers inland from Spiddal. The only public access route onto the Boluisce is by the small road/track down to the lake and then to paddle to the dam and on to the river.
When there has been heavy rain, kayakers can be seen head out to ride the river rapids. According to the Irish White Water website. The river is a nice Grade III-ish run through the Connemara country side.
The Boluice is made up of two distinct sections, the long start and the short start. The Long start is made up of one grade 3+ rapid followed by a grade 4+/5 drop that is easily portaged. The bottom section begins below the long start and is made up of several grade 3+ rapids.
Full details regarding the put in location, the take out and a river description are available on the Irish White Water website. The exit from the river is influenced by the tide, so it’s worth checking the optimum time for your river. There’s also plenty of parking at the mouth of the river to load up the boats afterwards.
Sea Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
Spiddal is an ideal location to enjoy sea kayaking or paddle boarding, affording the opportunity to take in the coast line from another perspective. There are numerous places to launch from, such as An tSean Ceibh (the old Pier) and the adjacent beach, which can be used in any tide. There’s also the main beach and the beach at an Ceibh Nua (the new pier). The Aran islands affords some protection to the worst of the wild Atlantic weather, but it is always advisable to check the forecast, swell and wind direction.
Fishing
If fishing is your passion there are some world class options to avail of in Spiddal and the surrounding Connemara coutnryside During mackerel season fishing is enjoyed by many off the rocks and piers surrounding the village, however organised fishing activities are available throughout the year.If fishing is your passion there are some world class options to avail of in Spiddal and the surrounding Connemara coutnryside During mackerel season fishing is enjoyed by many off the rocks and piers surrounding the village, however organised fishing activities are available throughout the year.
Spiddal Angling School
A range of fishing courses are available from the Spiddal Angling School, where you can be picked up from your accommodation and brought directly to some of the best fishing spots in the area to learn or improve your fishing skills.
Galway Bay Fishing
If deep sea fishing is more your thing then Galway Bay Fishing offer fantastic day drips and evening trips for groups from An Ceibh Nua in Spiddal. The trips set out from Spiddal towards the Aran Island’s or Cliffs of Moher allowing you to fish for best the Atlantic has to offer along the way. To find out more visit
Blue shark angling
Blue shart Angling describe themselves as experts in shark fishing & reef/ ground/ specimen fishing along the coast of Galway in the West of Ireland. Aboard our Galway based Sea Angling boat, the Brazen Hussy II, they offer an all year round angling experience for both the experienced sea angler and the complete beginner. Galway Bay and its outer fishing reaches offers the sea angler many opportunities to fish, not just shark fishing, but for many different species including Ray, Turbot and the Giant Common Skate. All equipment is provided.
Sailing
During the summer months a sailing club is available in Spiddal village for those looking to learn or improve in sailing. Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil (CSS) offer courses young people. To find out more visit: https://www.trysailing.ie/club/cumann-seoltoireachta-an-spideil/
Galway Hooker Sailing Regatta
Each summer Spiddal hosts the Galway Hooker sailing regatta to celebrate traditional Irish sailing and sea faring. These iconic boats sail from Galway bay out to Spiddal and are joined by Currachs, the traditional Irish rowing boat. The Currach racing becomes a highly competitive affair where the finest rowers, both male and female, from surrounding areas find out who will claim the title for the year.
