LAURA LUCY, 18 meter ex German Polizei patrol ship converted into a luxury, fully fitted, romantic 2 person hideaway.
You have exclusive and private use of lovely Laura Lucy with free parking when you charter this old girl. Moored in our private historic Dock on the Iconic Long Walk in the very center of Galway City.
Landlubbers: this is a REAL boat - it moves and it has a gangway - it is an experience - not a hotel substitute
The space
Built for the German Wasserschutzpolizei in 1972, WSP69 (Laura Lucy) was decommissioned in 1999 and ended up in a Cavan farmyard outside Belturbit, Ireland.
She was restored and refitted as a music venue by the eclectic Frau Julia Mundt in 2012. Julia operated Laura Lucy as a late night music venue on the Grand Canal in Dublin, retaining her WSP livery with staff in full Polizei uniforms (much to the entertainment of the clientelle).
However, the Irish Polizei (Garda) were less impressed and eventually Laura Lucy ran out of hiding places and sailed to The Old Dock in Galway. Julia refitted her as a cafe and became very popular until forced to close by the local Property Management Company. Boooo
In a final refit in 2019, Laura Lucy was offered for charter to couples wishing to find a cosy, romantic, exclusive accommodation experience in the City.
You have exclusive access to the covered sun deck and her fore peak deck (for swan feeding). The bright, glazed, large galley area (ex bar) is fully fitted for all your culinary needs however I can not facilitate any Frying or smelly cooking due to the rotten pong left behind - so please get your curry or Belfast fry ashore
The shower and toilet is up forward and has just been refitted (Feb 2022) to a spacious, proper bathroom - like you'd expect! The main saloon is below decks aft. Here is the king size bed, with 1000tc sheets, professionally laundered and aired in the wind after every stay. There is a generous couch area and tables, aft which once represented the 'VIP' area in her music club days. It is a secluded space, acoustically and thermally insulated.
Connect to our Pioneer sound system by blutooth or 3.5mm jack, standard 220vac sockets throughout.
Adventurous couples will enjoy a unique, romantic accommodation experience on the lovely Laura Lucy HOWEVER it is not a replacement Hotel room (see below).
The City centre is 5mins stroll up the iconic Old Long Walk.
Electricity is by Solar and battery - so we kindly ask you are mindful about consumption - please don't leave lights ablaze etc and please let us know if you are bringing a hairdryer, sandwich toaster, heater - when the power is drained and there's no sun - the generator has to be run. Boooo
(during the winter the fridge is not operational)
The Old Dock has been sheltering boats from the Wild Atlantic waves since 1690 nevertheless it is a little exposed to South Easterly winds prevelent in Oct / Mar. Laura Lucy is a proper little ship, afloat and some movement should be expected during these months - and during stormy times. However, she is a solid boat, not prone to rolling and many guests never comment on this. Furthermore, the Old Dock has a tidal wall that protects the ships for 6 hours of each tide when there will be no movement.
I'm very particular about cleanliness and having everything ship shape and I request you contact me immediately if you find anything out of order.
Shane, my cleaning man, keeps his yacht in the Old Dock and is usually about so you are never far from help or assistance.
IMPORTANT
Please remember - this is a boat - independant of the land and everything is self contained - despite our best efforts; stuff breaks down. Its not a hotel. George is my maintenance man and lives close by and any issue will be tended to within hours. Galway is on the Wild Atlantic and beware - Laura Lucy is floating on it. Your stay might co-inside with a Storm and if you cant enjoy the invigerating experience - get a hotel. Please do not book the boat if you are any way inflexable, un-adventurous or sensitive - get a hotel room.
So please; do NOT choose the boat because its half the price of a crap hotel room or because you want to appear cool - its an experience - it's NOT a hotel room.
I'm confident you will have a memorable and wonderful stay on Laura Lucy and look forward to welcoming you aboard!
Thankyou, Carolina.
Guest access
After Karam; Visitors are not allowed on the boat.(I live on the ship next door)
Galway is a village - you can walk anywhere in 10 minutes. However, for the car dependant we are forced to provide a FREE on site space for your third appendage - please be mindful, Im not going to be held responsible for your vehicle.
Other things to note
SAIL on an iconoc traditional Galway Hooker (May -Oct)
Restored and maintained with the passion of the charitable trust 'Baidoiri na Claddagh'. The magnificent fleet of beautifully restored traditional (non motorised) craft are retained for the maritime heritage of Galway City by the Claddgh Boatmen volunteers. We are delighted to arrange with them, to bring you and your partner out for a non commercial sail as active volunteer crew members - our suggested donation of Euro50 per person will go to the upkeep and preservation of the fleet. Please arrange your own insurance if required. A trip of a lifetime and naturally; weather and crew dependent. They sail from the tidal zone outside the Old Dock. We do not charge any fee for this service.
