Curraghs are evolving

oldharry

oldharry

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The Curragh - the traditional lath and canvas fishing boat which has been in use for generations on the Western Irish Coast is evolving!

Seen at Doolin, Co Galway last month:

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in a tasteful blue, rather than the traditional black tarred canvas finish

1567.jpg

and two hefty 50hp Hondas to power it!
 
The transom & topsides look pretty solid to me - not exactly whicker & canvas, but clearly it needs something to provide the strength to carry the engines. Mind you, I'm surprised that the traditional hull will withstand the pounding of blasting thro the waves.
 
This one actually appears to be GRP, presumably having taken a mould from an original hull. I did see two or three smaller GRP Curragh hulls out there around 20ft. Evidently someone has made a new mould from scratch, rather than take one off a traditional hull. The more precise lines lose something of the originality of these craft IMHO! But this one does seem to have been moulded from an original hull. I think it is being used to take trippers out to see the cliffs of Moher from Doolin, so the hull must be up to whatever standards the Eireann MCA have laid down while retaining a traditonal-ish appearance for the tourists.
 
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oldharry said:
Maybe you had better tell them on the west coast then. Thats how they spelled it, and I was told the 'Currach' spelling is the anglicised version. I have no way of knowing either way having only been there a (too) short time!

Currach builders spell it Curragh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aDUjzQwSL4&feature=related
Click to expand...

Many names and placenames have various spellings - probably due to translation from Gaelic to english and back again (and norse as Old Harry's interesting video notes). I wouldn't worry about it.

I was a little horrified at the pics in the first post. I always understood the currach form to be akin to a seagull on the sea -so light that they are lifted by the waves with the main task for the traditional oarsmen being to keep her stem pointed in the right direction. This craft seems very heavy and of different design. Not as seaworthy I would have thought from initial impressions. Had she a valid "licenced to carry X no of passengers" sticker displayed anywhere?
 
oldharry said:
Now I am all confused! I always thought it was Currach, but every time I go to the West Coast, I see it spelt Curragh.... even by the people who build them!

Think I will stick to Bognor for my hols in future!
Click to expand...

SAWDOC is right ... many areas have different spellings and probably the use of 'Curragh' is now in itself an evolution of the original 'Currach'. No one is going to fine you for using either ... ! :)

As an aside, the history of Currachs is as diverse as it is facinating & one I explore on my maritime journeys around Ireland. It was prompted by a Christmas gift of;

http://www.tradboats.ie/publications-the-donegal-currachs.php

... and my earlier experiences of Currachs in County Kerry.

I also concur with SAWDOC's reaction to the photos ... ! Not exactly mirroring the grace & beauty of the original of the species. In fact I thought it looked like an 'Attack Torpedo Craft' - if only it had two torpedo tubes in the bow section.

... or a 'Jaws' teeth motif ... :)
 
Ok, I will settle for either. Thats what comes of trying to be clever and 'do as the locals do'.

But I agree, the 'tasteful blue' monstrosity compared to a 'proper' one has about the grace and beauty of a hippopotamus, and I was tempted to title my post 'Curraghs devolving' rather than 'evolving'. Definitely a step in the wrong direction I thought. I didnt see any license, but the placard on the front of the steering console below the circular motif could well have been, and the hefty boarding steps stored forward would point to it being a commercially licensed -er - thing.

As I said before the GRP moulded Currachs also dont look 'right' either, somehow, being far too regular and smooth even with a dark grey gel-coat.
 
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