Old-style craft still making waves

Donal Hickey on the resurgence of interest in currachs

THE old-style currach, not too far behind the harp or shamrock in the symbols of Ireland league, has been undergoing a revival. The regatta season is upon us and all along the west coast, from Roundstone to Dingle, currach-racing will be a key attraction during this month and next.

At one time, currachs, or naomhógs, played an essential role in the day-to-day life of western coastal communities, especially islands. They were used for fishing and the transportation of sheep, cattle, turf and various commodities.

Nowadays, the currach is chiefly a racing boat, with more and more young people getting into the sport — all of which should ensure this versatile craft will continue to breast the waves well into the 21st century.

The West Clare Currach Club, which recently hosted the All-Ireland currach championships, is an umbrella group for local clubs and regatta committees on the Clare coast. With the help of a Leader-funded training programme, the club built six currachs in the west Clare design over a two-year period. More than 35 men on the Loop Head peninsula were involved in the work. The boats are now available to local regatta groups in Carrigaholt, Kilkee, Kilrush, Kilbaha, Doonbeg, Quilty and Limerick.

As well as reviving a long tradition of currach rowing in the area, the project has also had a social impact, helping bring people together.

The currach could be described as a boat with a wooden frame over which animal skins were once stretched. Nowadays, however, canvas and tar is generally used in making what is known in Kerry Gaeltacht areas as the ‘craiceann’ (skin).

Found mainly along the coasts of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the currach varies in shape and size by region. The story goes that St Brendan the navigator journeyed from west Kerry to the Americas in a hide-covered boat, long before Christopher Columbus made his historic voyage of discovery.

Thirty years ago, adventurer Tim Severin retraced the transatlantic voyage of St Brendan, having set out in a hide-covered boat from Brandon Creek, in the Dingle Peninsula.

Many old photographs of the Blasket islands feature the currachs, which were built on the island from early times. The island men developed great skill in constructing and handling them.

In his book, The Blaskets — People and Literature, Muiris Mac Conghail penned the following description: “The typical naomhóg is some 26 feet (nine metres) in length and four and a half feet (one and a half metres) wide. The prow and the stern rise high above the water and the stern narrows considerably.

“There are four seats, the one in the prow capable of holding a small mast for a sail. The frame of the boat contains an intricate, lattice-type interweaving, over which the canvass cover is fitted. The oars hardly have any blades and the boat moves through the water, easily, gracefully and with speed.”

The Blasket islanders spent much of their time fishing in their naomhógs, with lobster and crayfish being the most lucrative harvest. While the naomhóg was flexible and adaptable to local conditions, fishing eventually went into a slide because the islanders were not equipped to fish as far out to sea as their competitors from France and the Isle of Man.

In Co Clare, a study has begun into the currach and other traditional boats. Expected to be completed by October, it is being carried out by Darina Tully, an expert in maritime collections. It is part of the Clare Heritage Plan.

Ms Tully is setting out to establish a catalogue of traditional boats and currachs in Clare, as well as identifying the condition of the boats and their vulnerability. She will also look into the history of the boats and compile a photographic record. Records show that as far back as 1602, the chieftain O’Sullivan Beare assembled currachs to cross the Shannon in order to escape the Earl of Thomond.

Local variations in currach-building will also be examined and the aim is to generate increased awareness of the currach-making tradition in Clare.

Critically, the practical functions of currachs will also be researched, including transportation of goods, towing of cattle, turf boats, trawlers and tourism projects. It is reckoned that over 1,000 fishermen found employment in 500 currachs along the Clare coast in the early 20th century.

Speaking at the launch of the study, project chairman Tomás Mac Conmara said it was coming at a time of rapid change in areas where traditional boats and currachs were once frequently used.

Richard Collins, of the West Clare Currach Club, reported a huge increase in currachs in recent years and said the study would enhance that interest. Boat builders, fishermen and marine enthusiasts are members of a steering group for the study.