"Ancient" Coracle
(Currach) to be built at Mayo Abbey
A twenty foot currach made from cowhide and hazel wands
will be built in Mayo Abbey in the coming weeks and will
subsequently be sailed from Northern Ireland to Scotland in
early June.
This is a transnational cooperation project between Mayo
Abbey Resource Development Company and Kilmartin House
experimental archaeology centre, Argyll, western Scotland.
The journey will be a symbolic reenactment of the voyage of
St Columcille from Derry to Iona in AD 563 and will be part
of the celebrations to commemorate the 1400th anniversary of
the death of the Saint in AD 597.
The currach will be constructed using the ancient methods
of coracle building under the guidance of Peter Faulkner,
the last remaining craftsman who has a knowledge of these
methods. Hazel branches are stuck in the ground, bent over
into an arc and woven together with willow, like a big
upturned basket. Then cow skin is draped over the frame and
sewn together. The boat is then dried for a few days and
will then be ready for the sea. It will be fitted with a
square sail and will accommodate up to twelve people. This
will be the first time that such a large currach will be
recreated, fitted with a sail and such a hazardous voyage
attempted. A film crew from BBC Scotland will cover the
building of the currach and the subsequent voyage.
Peter Faulkner would like to meet anyone with an interest
in being involved in the building of the currach,
particularly persons with experience in currach building or
basket weaving.
Further information from Mayo Abbey Resource Development
Company Ltd., Abbey Park, Mayo Abbey; Phone/Fax
094/65555.
E-mail joebrett@mayo-ireland.ie
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