THE craft of currach building has been given a new lease of life with the construction of a brand new currach, painstakingly recreated in the traditional style by a new generation of boat-builders in Galway.

These pictures depict the work that is currently in progress by members of the Galway Boat Building School, who have spent the past few months working on the beautiful boat, already christened ‘An Run’. Seven members of the school have dedicated their time and recently-required skills to the project, with a view to producing a boat - not for fishing, but for sailing and other leisure pursuits.

“For any traditional craft to continue, it must evolve and respond to what is necessary in the environment of the day. The working life of the canvas currach is now over, so it is time for it to once again adapt to maritime leisure and maritime tourist activities,” said Jim Horgan of the Galway Boat Building School.

The currach is regarded as an ideal vessel for high-speed sailing in particular. It is light, but has the strength to support a large sail.

Boating enthusiasts at the Galway Boat Building School estimate that ‘An Run’ could reach speeds of up to 15 knots when it is finally fitted with its sail, and is launched on to the water. The School estimates it will be ready for its official launch by May 1.

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