WEEKS of dedication and hard work will be put to the test this weekend
when two currachs are launched into the Irish Sea at the East Wall Sports Club.
The currachs, which will be launched this Saturday, January 7 at 11am,
are impressive end products of a month-long currach workshop lead by artists
and boat builder Mark Redden.
The project to build two Connemara currachs was aimed at highlighting
the inherent value and craftsmanship of the ancient Irish techniques of boat
building.
Mr Redden who has perfected his craft over many years, hopes these new
additions to Dublin’s currach fleet will produce crews that will compete in the
regattas off the west coast.
“As a physical thing the currach represents something more than a simple
watercraft,
? he stated.
“It stands for the quality of ancient design, a legacy left to us by our
forbearers and a resourcefulness applicable to today’s life.
?
Des Moriarty, who worked on the project, appealed to people to turn out
for the launch of the boats.
“The launch will mark 2012 as the year of the currach and the team and
club welcome everyone with an interest to come on Saturday to see them launch
into the Irish Sea and to hear more about the build and project from Mark.
?
If that wasn’t enough to entice you, there will also be delicious food
and music to enjoy on the day.
The build site and future home of these boats is the East Wall Water
Sports Centre in Dublin’s historic docklands.
The centre, which was founded in 1979, is situated on the water’s edge
at the River Tolka.
Billy King, secretary of the club, explained how he was more than
willing to make the centre available for the currach building project.
“Boat building continues to be one of the main activities of the club so
when Mark approached us and asked us to put the facility at his disposal to
build two curachs we were delighted,
? he said.
The currach project is the latest activity to encourage both children
and adults to take advantage of the Tolka River for water activities, a
practice that was common in the early 1900s.