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Two generations ago, the currach reigned supreme gathered locally and they are abundant and renewable.
as chief mode of transport along the Wild Atlantic This make the boat environmentally sustainable too.
Seaboard. Up and down the coast we can find churches,
post offices and even shops that appear more accessible Over the last fifteen years Holger Lonze has made
by sea than by land. From Donegal, to Connemara, to more than fifty currchs mainly with community groups
Kerry; traditional boats were an integral part of the life (Men’s Shed groups, community groups, artists, schools
of the people. Logically, when one would wish to travel and universities), ranging from 12’ Bunbeg curachs to
from one peninsula to another the sea is the shortest 27’ Kerry naomhóga. On Lough Neagh he introduced
distance. And yet, a car today will travel up to five times currachs as part of an artist’s residency and as a result
a distance – wasting petrol and polluting the air because a local community association was formed. More than
of the simple fact that a habit or a tradition has been ten members have since progressed to wooden boat
lost. As we become more and more aware of the darker building and have built over twenty boats since and have
consequences of our comforts – let us spare a thought rebuilt and preserved the nearly-lost clinker fishing boat
for the skill and the seamanship that is common heritage tradition on the lough.
of Irish coastal peoples and look with new eyes to the
Irish currach. Currach making is a starting point for boat building and
Since building his first Dunfanaghy currach in 2001, the can contribute to cultural sustainability, preserving local
Cork based sculptor Holger Lonze has been promoting and regional craft and boating heritage. I asked Holger
currachs as sustainable leisure boats in Ireland, he what is his view on the future of the Irish currach and he
explains: responds in a firm positive.
“For me, they give people with low budget an opportunity
to build their own boats and ‘reclaim the sea’ from what is “Yes, there is a lot of future potential for currachs - not
perceived a ‘rich peoples patch’, giving people an chance for traditional fishing, but as sustainable leisure boats
to get out on the water without breaking the bank. A and potentially also for their tourism potential - they are
Dunfanaghy curach can be built for less than €200 fairly safe and easily rowed and sailed. More important,
material with very basic woodworking skills in less than they are very unique in boating history and only native
five days.” to Ireland.“
Currach making is also a great community event for
small groups, giving communities social cohesion. Both To learn more about Holger’s work and his experiences
Donal Mac Polin and Lonze have enjoyed successful of building the native boats of Ireland visit:
projects in building boats with amateurs. Mac Polins’ www.holgerlonze.com
work with Cancer survivors has certainly enhanced
many women’s sense of resolve and achievement. For Holger Lonze
these boat building projects, most materials can be To the People of the Sea,
East Strand Portrush,
On the Derry / Antrim border.
Seanfhocail (Old Saying)
Deineann deabhadh dearmad
He who is in a hurry makes mistakes
Portrush
288
as chief mode of transport along the Wild Atlantic This make the boat environmentally sustainable too.
Seaboard. Up and down the coast we can find churches,
post offices and even shops that appear more accessible Over the last fifteen years Holger Lonze has made
by sea than by land. From Donegal, to Connemara, to more than fifty currchs mainly with community groups
Kerry; traditional boats were an integral part of the life (Men’s Shed groups, community groups, artists, schools
of the people. Logically, when one would wish to travel and universities), ranging from 12’ Bunbeg curachs to
from one peninsula to another the sea is the shortest 27’ Kerry naomhóga. On Lough Neagh he introduced
distance. And yet, a car today will travel up to five times currachs as part of an artist’s residency and as a result
a distance – wasting petrol and polluting the air because a local community association was formed. More than
of the simple fact that a habit or a tradition has been ten members have since progressed to wooden boat
lost. As we become more and more aware of the darker building and have built over twenty boats since and have
consequences of our comforts – let us spare a thought rebuilt and preserved the nearly-lost clinker fishing boat
for the skill and the seamanship that is common heritage tradition on the lough.
of Irish coastal peoples and look with new eyes to the
Irish currach. Currach making is a starting point for boat building and
Since building his first Dunfanaghy currach in 2001, the can contribute to cultural sustainability, preserving local
Cork based sculptor Holger Lonze has been promoting and regional craft and boating heritage. I asked Holger
currachs as sustainable leisure boats in Ireland, he what is his view on the future of the Irish currach and he
explains: responds in a firm positive.
“For me, they give people with low budget an opportunity
to build their own boats and ‘reclaim the sea’ from what is “Yes, there is a lot of future potential for currachs - not
perceived a ‘rich peoples patch’, giving people an chance for traditional fishing, but as sustainable leisure boats
to get out on the water without breaking the bank. A and potentially also for their tourism potential - they are
Dunfanaghy curach can be built for less than €200 fairly safe and easily rowed and sailed. More important,
material with very basic woodworking skills in less than they are very unique in boating history and only native
five days.” to Ireland.“
Currach making is also a great community event for
small groups, giving communities social cohesion. Both To learn more about Holger’s work and his experiences
Donal Mac Polin and Lonze have enjoyed successful of building the native boats of Ireland visit:
projects in building boats with amateurs. Mac Polins’ www.holgerlonze.com
work with Cancer survivors has certainly enhanced
many women’s sense of resolve and achievement. For Holger Lonze
these boat building projects, most materials can be To the People of the Sea,
East Strand Portrush,
On the Derry / Antrim border.
Seanfhocail (Old Saying)
Deineann deabhadh dearmad
He who is in a hurry makes mistakes
Portrush
288
