Three-dimensional models of Irish traditional boats now online at Traditional Boats of Ireland

Scattery Island currach model

The Traditional Boats of Ireland website launched a few days ago has begun a programme of laser scanning traditional boats, and posting lines plans and rotatable 3D models.

Ballydehob, Ireland, boatbuilder Tiernan Roe was at the launch, which took place during the Glandore Classic Boat summer school. He reports that the material is impressive and particularly useful from the point of view of a boat builder or student of traditional boat types, as it is possible for the viewer to remove elements from the models to see how the boats were constructed.

Tiernan also reports that another Ballydehobian, Holger Lonze, is proposing a voyage in a Bronze Age boat from the copper-rich Mizen Peninsula in Cork to Cornwall.

Holger was previously involved in retracing St Columba’s voyage from Ireland to the Island of Iona. See Holger’s website here.

Tiernan also reminded me that the Atlantic Challenge takes place at Bantry from the 21st July.

Curraghs caught in action on YouTube

Court of the Silver King curragh at Clovelly

Court of the Silver King curragh at Clovelly, seen on YouTube

I can’t remember what took me to the the Court of the Silver King website, but while I was there I learned that our salmon-admiring friends are now engaged in building their third curragh – they must be pretty experienced by now.

I also spotted a link to this YouTube clip of them rowing one of their earlier boats, and was struck by the sheer bouyancy and apparent lightness of the boat in action.

Inspired to search a little further, I found some further bits of curragh video:

Here’s a series of YouTube clips of curraghs racing.

Here’s a naomhóg rowing on the river Lee.

And I also found this nice old clip of a curragh taken in the late 1950s. It’s marred by a horrid commercial watermark, but it’s still charming.

Click here for more on curraghs at intheboatshed.net, including photos and excerpts from old books including plans.

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