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Boyne Currach Ever since records began, the skin covered river currach has been making its mark on civilisations by helping them fish the river and transport its people and cargo. It is also recorded as a means for carrying people into other worlds as a form of penance. The Boyne Currach was in daily use until the 1960's proving its usefulness and longevity over the centuries.
Made from material growing locally (hazel) the basket is made as all traditional baskets were made in Ireland, upside down in the earth. The cover had to be waterproof, hard wearing and able to last for many years. This was acheived by using a single cowskin patched at each end and roped to the frame. It seems that the currach is only the gateway into the folklore of a larger craft using the same traditional methods and material. These nine men currachs travelled in fleets transporting the Scotie (Irish) on raids to Wales. The raids were so bad that many of the Welsh fled to Cornwall which in turn caused the Britons to flee to the continent creating Brittanny. This long currach was also the vessell that transported St. Patrick to Ireland from Wales during one of the raids. These vessels were also what helped unite the western highlands of Scotland with the mainland of Eire. Many early Christian voyages took place in these type of vessels like the voyage of St. Brendan who travelled from the west of Ireland up to the Faroe Islands along by Iceland and Greenland and eventually landing in North America. All this by using the prevailing winds. The Hazel must have been one of the most precious trees in by gone days. Maybe that is why the Gaelic word for this plant is Callan Coill or The Tree.
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A
Boyne Currach ready to launch for fishing circ 1960
The
hazel basket being made upside down.