Martin Oliver (Claddagh)
Martin Oliver was a 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 of the brig St. John, which was lost on 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. He was elected King of the Claddagh, and represented the community at events and festivals such as the Oyster Festival.
