Martin Oliver (Claddagh)

Martin Oliver, sailor and King of the Claddagh, c. 1961 - December 1972.

Biography

Oliver was a member of a family from The Claddagh with a long maritime tradition. A family member of an earlier generation was Martin Oliver (Captain) of the brig, St. John, which was lost 7 October 1849.

He was owner of the Galway Hooker,Truelight. He survived the gale of 1927, which killed forty-four fishermen, including twenty-five from Cleggan. In 1961 he sold her to the poet, Richard Murphy (poet). He was elected King of the Claddagh, and represented the community at events and festivals such as the Oyster Festival.

References

• Where the River Corrib Flows, Maurice Semple, Galway, 1989.
• Down by the Claddagh, Peadar O'Dowd, Galway, 1993.
• Galway - A Maritime Tradition:Ships, boats and people, Brendan O'Donnell, Galway, 2001.
• Coffin Ship: The Wreck of the Brig St. John, William Henry (historian), 2009. ISBN 978-1-85635-631-2.