The city’s newest entertainment attraction very nearly ended up at the bottom of the sea on its way to Galway.

Escape Rooms are Europe’s latest growing entertainment craze. Enjoyed by Barack and Michelle Obama, Ariana Grande and many other high profile celebrities, they are becoming hugely popular due to their immersive, high octane fun and their adrenalin-fuelled cerebral quests.

A Dublin company, Escape Boats, have taken the Escape Room theme to another level, having built the world’s first Escape Room on a real boat.

The founders, Ronan Brady and Sam Field Corbett, bought the 108 year old barge in the Netherlands and brought her back for a complete refit in Dublin and launched the venture in 2017. Since then Escape Boats have been winning plaudits and praise from enthusiasts and press across the world.

The game uses real props, maritime equipment and a number of never seen before surprises to immerse players in what has been called ‘the best Escape Room ever’.

Escape Boats has now just opened its newest venue in Galway’s Old Dock on Long Walk after bringing the 85 year old barge the Norrie K, to Galway from the Netherlands.

The barge was sailed back under her own steam from Holland but encountered a force 7 storm in the English Channel. A rescue operation was launched by the RNLI to rescue the crew as the ship had taken on water and was in danger of sinking.

The crew stayed with the ship and luckily all returned safely to port. She limped into an English port, underwent major works and continued on her eventful voyage around the south of Ireland, completing her voyage in the Old Dock in Galway city centre.

The voyage was so eventful that one of the crew went on to write and perform a play about the journey.

Another interesting aspect of the business was the addition of an ex-army communications vehicle (a tank!) as part of the game. The owners sourced the vehicle in Eastern Europe and have incorporated it into the ship as part of the game.

They have tested the game on several experts and say that it has already been rated as the best and most immersive escape room ever played.

Anyone interested in trying out the experience can book online at www.escapeboats.ie The owners advice for anyone playing the game – expect the unexpected.

Pictured: The Norrie K, an 85 year old barge, now operating as an Escape Boat in Galway.