A currach is a type of boat with a wooden frame, over which is stretched animal skins or hides. The construction and design of the currach is unique to the west coast of Ireland, with variations in size and shape by region. It is referred to as a "naomhog" in counties Cork and Kerry and as a "canoe" in West Clare.
Historically, the currach was used both as a sea-fishing vessel and also as transport along rivers and coastal waterways. The currach was first mentioned in writing at around the time of Julius Caesar, who reported seeing sailed ocean-going currachs roving the North Atlantic. Later, in the sixth century, it is possible that Saint Brendan made the first transatlantic voyage to The Americas in a currach (a recreation of this voyage was successfully completed by Tim Severin to show that it would have been possible).
Types of currachs
Currach Builders
Currently there are few full-time currach builders. Of notable exception are Meitheal Mara 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 Currachs. 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 thisbetterworld.org
Last updated: 08-20-2005 11:23:50
