This article is from page 26 of the 2009-03-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
EVEN the weather was kind for the launch last week of the first currach to be made in Quilty in 32 years.
After day of rain and high winds, the skies cleared for enough time for the craft to take to the waters.
Ten members of Quilty Currach Club built the boat from scratch.
It was built under the supervision of boat-builder James Madigan and erant-aided by the Clare VEC.
It was launched at Seafield pier and
blessed by Fr Pat Larkin.
“Thirty-two years ago, the late Austin Boyle – better known as Au- tie – built the last currach, which was later shipped to Chicago and today hangs on display in Fado’s Irish pub, which is owned by a Limerick man,” explained currach club member, Ter- esa Egan.
The only woman to work on the building of the boat, Teresa traced the last currach built to Chicago.
‘“Autie’s son, also called Austin, worked on building this currach, so
the skill has gone to the second gen- eration now,” she said.
The Quilty area was once a strong- hold of the currach. In the 1940s, the boats were used for drift-net fishing for mackerel and herring.
The sea gave work of other kinds as well. In the 1960s there was a sea- weed factory in Kilrush and Galway and the walls at Seafield were always covered in seaweed drying in the Oeone-te
“In the mid ‘20s there were 50 cur- rachs in the area of Quilty and each
currach was named after a saint,” said Teresa. ““We don’t have a name for our currach yet. We still have to decide,’ she added.
Now the club are in training to row in the upcoming regattas.
The currach’s first venture out to sea will be in a charity row from Kilrush to Carrigaholt on Saturday, March 14.