Are light skin covered boats once found in all the Celtic lands but now exclusive to Ireland. They are light seaworthy craft without a keel which ride large ocean waves and skim up shallow rivers. Early Gaelic accounts speak of large ocean going sailing currachs roving the North Atlantic.

All currachs have a light frame with a skin covering. They vary widely, from the 6 ft Boyne River Coracle made of hazel and willow rods to the sophisticated ultra light West Kerry Naomhog

Each style of currach took on the name of the area in which it was built.

This map gives a rough idea as to where in Ireland the various currachs originated from. The picture shows a man next to a currach naomhog for scale

(West Kerry Currach - Pronounced Knave Oag)

The currachs of this type Produced by Meitheal Mara were developed from several surveys of vessels in Co. Kerry including boats built by Tom

CONSTRUCTION

The double gunwales are formed first, then ash or oak ribs are attached to full length laths using clenched copper nails the bows are made of hardwood and the hull is finally covered with tightly stitched 18oz cotton duck canvas and coated on both sides with coal tar.

LENGTH OVER ALL 26' [749cm]

DEPTH 23" [58cm]

BEAM [50cm]

CREW 4

PROPULSION Oars and sails