Mayo man launches traditional Achill currach in Co Laois

A Mayo man living in Co Kilkenny has launched a traditionally built Achill currach in a midlands town to help two charities including the RNLI.

Proud Achill man Pat Sweeney alone with Pat Comerford from Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny and other friends formed the charity Pulling Together to Save Lives and built a traditional Achill currach in aid of Teac Tom Mental Health Services helping to prevent suicide and Achill RNLI saving lives at sea.

The currach was launched in Castlearms Hotel in Dullow, Co Laois on June 7 where a large number of people who helped build the boat and their sponsors came out in support. Teac Tom provides mental health services in Laois and surrounding areas, while Achill RNLI ensure safety off the shores of the west coast of Mayo.

Speaking at the launch, Pat Sweeney spoke of the importance of the RNLI who cover our coastlines to protect people who find themselves in difficulty at sea. Both charities are supported by volunteers and the good will of the public.

Neither of the two Pats or their friends had ever built a currach before but nine months ago they decided to build one based on the design of an Achill currach.

It was difficult to find plans to build a currach as generally the craft is handed down from father to son so the two men went to Achill to study and measure a currach and set to work. What is unique about the midlands currach is that it is built with nine or ten kinds of timber but a traditional Achill currach is made of yew wood.

Over the last couple of months the men have been busy putting the currach together and it will be soon ready to launch and put into the water. The seats of the boat are carved with the names of the builders in Irish by Aaron Purser, Burren Woodcraft, Co Carlow with an extra seat planned for ‘Cairde’ friends.

The two Pats aim to row the River Barrow on July 5, 6 and 7 and then travel west to Achill on July 19 to test the currach on the Atlantic.

A big group from Kilkenny and Laois plan to travel to Achill to take the currach on the water and they also look to attend the Inishturk Regatta.

The currach supports three rowers but with the aim to raise funds for charity, people are invited to take turns to row with them to raise some funds for these essential services.

More information is available on their Facebook page ‘Pulling Together To Save Lives’ and donations can be made on www.idonate.ie.