Currach are traditional rowing boats still much used in the Aran Islands
and all along the west coast.
They are made of wooden slats which are then covered in several layers
of tar.
In the olden days they would have been covered in hide. They were designed
thus because wood was (is) scarce along the coastal region.
They are versatile boats, able to carry large heavy loads as they are so
buoyant.
Traditionally they are manned by a crew of three,
and they carry it up the beach to store it upside down to protect it,
sitting it on trestles or large stones. Quite often nowadays they are
fitted with outboard
motors but the basic design is the same as it has been for generations.
Currach racing is also popular along the west coast.
Currach Builders
Currently there are few full-time currach builders.Of notable exception
are Meitheal
Mara
Meitheal Mara - Researchers and Builders
of the Irish Currach
who build currachs and train in currach building in Cork.
They also organise currach-racing.
As of January 2005 there is a community based initiative ongoing in
West Clare called, surprisingly
West Clare Currach Club
Doonlickey Road Kilkee Co Clare Ireland
They plan to build and then train racing crews in the summer of 2005.
There is also an unknown number of currach-builders in the other counties
on the western seaboard who build occasionally. Information about a
currach-building course from August 2004 and miscellaneous other currach
info is available at
WebHome
< Currachs < ThisBetterWorld
|
