The close links between late government minister Bobby Molloy and the Aran Islands were remembered over the weekend when up to 40 yachts from along the western seaboard competed in a sailing race named after him.
Competitors from 12 clubs extending from Donegal to Kerry participated in the event as part of the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association annual championships.
The four-day championships were hosted off Inis Mór for the first time by Club Seoltóireacht Arainn, and attracted several hundred sailors . A temporary marina with 100m of floating pontoons was installed for the visiting fleet.
The race named after Mr Molloy marked the 40th anniversary of the annual overnight sail to the island, run by Galway Bay Sailing Club .
The Progressive Democrats founder and Galway West TD was a commodore of the club and regularly raced his yacht to the Aran Islands.
His widow, Phyllis Molloy,was invited to Inis Mór for the trophy presentation on Saturday, when traditional Galway hookers associated with Cumann Huicéirí na Gaillimhe also sailed alongside modern craft on the final day of the championships.
