Unique bond created after Canadian mini-boat docked on Achill Island

When Achill fisherman Darren Kilbane discovered a Canadian mini-boat washed ashore on an Achill beach it sparked new ties between Achill and the Newfoundland school from where it was launched.

Last week, those new ties culminated in the Canadian students and their teacher who worked on the scientific experiment for their school visiting Achill, with the intention of relaunching 'Raven Kaster' to continue its journey in the north Atlantic.

The Raven Kaster was launched on the Grand Banks off Newfoundland on Canada's east coast on November 11, 2018 as part of an oceanographic experiment involving the School of Ocean Technology at the Marine Institute in Newfoundland and Frank Roberts Junior High in Conception Bay South.

Having survived giant waves and two storms in the Atlantic, Raven Kaster's journey across the ocean ended after 102 days when it washed ashore on Dookinella beach in February 2019. It was picked up by local fisherman Darren Kilbane and after the initial excitement, Raven Kaster was forgotten about until it was put on display in the Achill Experience Aquarium.

When Caragh McGinty of Achill Experience posted the boat on social media it was picked up on the other side of the Atlantic and links were forged between Frank Roberts Junior High and Coláiste Pobail Acla in Achill.

Last week, Thomas Shepard, the technology teacher in Frank Roberts Junior High and Stephanie Evans and Kaithlyn Grundy, two students who worked on the initial experiment, visited Achill to see where the Raven Kaster washed ashore.

“It has been an incredible experience and I cannot get over the welcome we had here,” Thomas told The Mayo News. “I knew about Ireland but I did not know about the regions and nothing about Achill Island. To come from an island [in Canada] and for Raven Kaster to land on an island is pretty cool.

“We didn't know where it would go because November in the north Atlantic is not friendly. Some others launched around that time ended up in France or Spain or the Azores. When we launched it at Grand Banks it went straight across and was heading towards the south of Ireland when Storm Eric diverted it north,” he explained.

Dream come true

Stephanie and Kaithlyn, who are now University students, recalled tracking the boat's progress in Tech class when it suddenly came to a stop on Dookinella beach. Both said that it was a dream come true to visit Achill and see where the boat came ashore.

“It was definitely fun and we never thought we could come this far,” said Kaitlyn. “When we launched the boat we lost contact with it for so long and all of a sudden it was here again. I was always interested in science and even though what I am studying has nothing to do with the ocean, this project has allowed me to hold onto that part of science that I really enjoyed studying.”

Raven Kaster has since been repaired and following fundraising on both sides of the Atlantic, it has been upgraded to include sensors to measure air and water temperature as well as a camera. Karen Lavelle, the geography teacher in Coláiste Pobail Acla, said it was exciting to meet her Canadian counterparts and the experience will live with her pupils for a long time.

“It was great to be involved in the project and regenerate that kind of excitement from 2018 when it washed in originally and for the kids to get involved in it. It is a great thing for them to get involved in.

“It is brilliant to have the team from Frank Roberts here. We have been in contact for the last year and a half through video calls but to have them here and show them where it washed in on Dookinella beach is fantastic.”

The plan is to liaise with the Marine Institute in Ireland to launch the boat off Ireland and track where the current brings it. Letters from students in Achill will be placed in it and it is hoped that whoever finds it when it goes ashore will make contact with the Achill students.

The Irish Ambassador to Canada, Eamon McKee, also visited Achill to welcome the Canadian visitors and explained that there are deep cultural links between Ireland and Newfoundland. Gifts including the flag of Newfoundland were presented to the Achill contingent and Thomas hopes that the simple science experiment will result in greater ties between Achill and Newfoundland.

“This thing has grown legs and it is so interesting and has brought so many people together. Newfoundland has a very strong Irish culture and this boat has allowed us to reconnect that bond with Ireland.”

- Pictured at the relaunch of the Raven Kaster Project last week were, back, from left: Carragh Ginty (Achill Experience), Thomas Sheppard (teacher, Conception Bay South, Newfoundland), Eamonn McKee (Ambassador of Ireland to Canada), Karen Lavelle (Depity Principal, Coláiste Pobail Acala) and Elaine Connaghan (Achill Experience). Front row, from left: Ria O'Toole Kilbane (student, Coláiste Pobail Acala), Kaitlyn Grandy and Stephanie Evans, Raven Kaster project, Newfoundland.