Craft: General

If you don't have even a notion about what a "Currach", a "Naomhóg" or a "Coracle" is, then this page is the one for you as it provides a brief overview of what these names mean. I hasten to add, though, that the information carried by this and the other pages comprises merely my own opinions. For more authoratative information, you should consult the following sites and the additional ones the links for which you'll find on the Home Page: Meitheal Mara, U.S.A. Currach Clubs, The Coracle Society, Data Wales.

That said, you can get an initial idea of what Currachs and Coracles are, and their differences, by comparing this photograph of a devastatingly handsome young Irish man and his Currach with a little picture of a Welshman and his Coracle at The National Coracle Centre, Wales. In a few words and mixed metaphors, the basics are these: Currachs and Coracles are the offspring of log canoes and a Naomhóg is just a posh Currach, sort of like the Ferrari of the Currach/Coracle world. To confuse matters further, Currachs are often referred to as "Canoes" by the people who used or still use them as a natural part of their working lives. I'll explain what I mean:

In the beginning, there were log canoes; logs hollowed out by fire, flint, axe and adze and probably other implements as well. These craft were adequate for some needs, but they were also heavy, unseaworthy and generally cumbersome. With the passage of time, humans acquired more knowledge and skills and, thus, eventually came up with a better way of transporting themselves and their goods on lakes, rivers and the sea. In English, the two remaining names for such boats are "Currach" [from the Irish "Curach"] and "Coracle" [from the Welsh "Gwrwgl"]. A Currach and a Coracle are the same in that they both comprise an outer animal skin [usually tarred canvas now] secured to an inner frame of wooden laths. This photograph of the inside of the same Currach as above illustrates this characteristic. As you have already seen, Currachs and Coracles are different in that a Currach is relatively long and crewed by a number of people while a Coracle is relatively round and crewed by one person. Also, whereas Currachs are now almost solely found along Ireland's Western and South-western seaboard and are propelled in a conventional rowing manner and, sometimes, by sail [as in The Brendan Voyage], Coracles are found in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales and outside of Europe and are propelled by means of a curious figure-of-eight/circular paddling action. They are, as far as I know, never sailed. As we don't have a Coracle, I know next to nothing about them so I'll concentrate on Currachs.

I've already mentioned that the word "Canoe" is often used by the people of at least Western and South-western Ireland to refer to a Currach. However, they also use it in connection with other craft such as those of Native Americans/Canadians. Therefore, if you hear the word "canoe", you'd be wise to clarify what's being spoken about.

Similarly, a Naomhóg is a type of Currach which originates in County Kerry and which can be said to constitute the last stage in the linear evolution of the Currach. Some people see it as manifesting the cleanest of lines and it is held by many to be the most seaworthy of Currachs. The picture on the left shows an inverted Naomhóg behind an inverted currach. Although the photograph is a bad one in that it doesn't allow you to make a clear comparison, you can see to some extent that the Naomhóg is a more streamlined craft than the Currach. Often encountered, too, is the assertion that the defining difference between Currachs and Naomhógs comprises the former being crewed by a maximum of 3 people and the latter always by 4.

To the right is the same Naomhóg looking towards its bow from its stern. The purpose of this picture is to allow you to better see the Naomhóg's cleanness-of-line, but the overall effect is ruined by the square hole halfway along its length. [This apperture is intentional and was inserted to house an engine - the Naomhóg is too long and too light to have an outboard motor fitted at the stern.] Notice how the Naomhóg's sides taper gently outwards while the currach's sides are vertical. This can have consequences for the position of the centre of balance and, thus, a boat's stability when it is tilted along its longitudenal axis. The Naomhóg would tend to remain more stable for longer.

Much of the above constitutes issues that excite dispute and you'll find no shortage of both recognised and self-appointed experts to engage you in discussion or argument about various points. Consequently, this page will end by mentioning the characteristics of these craft that most people seem to agree upon:

Currachs, being manufactured out of tanned skins or tarred canvas on thin strips of wood, are much lighter than wooden craft of comparable size.
Conventional rowing and sailing craft have keels and relatively deep draughts [that part of the boat which is below the water-line]. Therefore, when propelled, they cut through the water. In contrast, Currachs have no keel and relatively very little draught so their action is, effectively, to skim across the surface of the water. [In this respect, they are often likened to the insect known as a "Pond Skater"]. Consequently, when handled correctly, Currachs are especially safe craft as the sea can't get 'hold' of them.
However, the absence of a keel, especially a drop-keel, and a deeper draught also prevents Currachs from tacking effectively so they can't be sailed against the wind.
On a conventional rowing boat, the end of the oar that gets wet widens out to become a flattish paddle. By this means, the boat is pulled through the water. On a Currach, the oars do not widen out - they remain more-or-less parallel along their length [illustration] - and the boat is pulled over the water.

Craft: General If you don't have even a notion about what a "Currach", a "Naomhóg" or a "Coracle" is, then this page is the one for you as it provides a brief overview of what these names mean. I hasten to add, though, that the information carried by this and the other pages comprises merely my own opinions. For more authoratative information, you should consult the following sites and the additional ones the links for which you'll find on the Home Page: Meitheal Mara, U.S.A. Currach Clubs, The Coracle Society, Data Wales. That said, you can get an initial idea of what Currachs and Coracles are, and their differences, by comparing this photograph of a devastatingly handsome young Irish man and his Currach with a little picture of a Welshman and his Coracle at The National Coracle Centre, Wales. In a few words and mixed metaphors, the basics are these: Currachs and Coracles are the offspring of log canoes and a Naomhóg is just a posh Currach, sort of like the Ferrari of the Currach/Coracle world. To confuse matters further, Currachs are often referred to as "Canoes" by the people who used or still use them as a natural part of their working lives. I'll explain what I mean: In the beginning, there were log canoes; logs hollowed out by fire, flint, axe and adze and probably other implements as well. These craft were adequate for some needs, but they were also heavy, unseaworthy and generally cumbersome. With the passage of time, humans acquired more knowledge and skills and, thus, eventually came up with a better way of transporting themselves and their goods on lakes, rivers and the sea. In English, the two remaining names for such boats are "Currach" [from the Irish "Curach"] and "Coracle" [from the Welsh "Gwrwgl"]. A Currach and a Coracle are the same in that they both comprise an outer animal skin [usually tarred canvas now] secured to an inner frame of wooden laths. This photograph of the inside of the same Currach as above illustrates this characteristic. As you have already seen, Currachs and Coracles are different in that a Currach is relatively long and crewed by a number of people while a Coracle is relatively round and crewed by one person. Also, whereas Currachs are now almost solely found along Ireland's Western and South-western seaboard and are propelled in a conventional rowing manner and, sometimes, by sail [as in The Brendan Voyage], Coracles are found in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales and outside of Europe and are propelled by means of a curious figure-of-eight/circular paddling action. They are, as far as I know, never sailed. As we don't have a Coracle, I know next to nothing about them so I'll concentrate on Currachs. I've already mentioned that the word "Canoe" is often used by the people of at least Western and South-western Ireland to refer to a Currach. However, they also use it in connection with other craft such as those of Native Americans/Canadians. Therefore, if you hear the word "canoe", you'd be wise to clarify what's being spoken about. Similarly, a Naomhóg is a type of Currach which originates in County Kerry and which can be said to constitute the last stage in the linear evolution of the Currach. Some people see it as manifesting the cleanest of lines and it is held by many to be the most seaworthy of Currachs. The picture on the left shows an inverted Naomhóg behind an inverted currach. Although the photograph is a bad one in that it doesn't allow you to make a clear comparison, you can see to some extent that the Naomhóg is a more streamlined craft than the Currach. Often encountered, too, is the assertion that the defining difference between Currachs and Naomhógs comprises the former being crewed by a maximum of 3 people and the latter always by 4. To the right is the same Naomhóg looking towards its bow from its stern. The purpose of this picture is to allow you to better see the Naomhóg's cleanness-of-line, but the overall effect is ruined by the square hole halfway along its length. [This apperture is intentional and was inserted to house an engine - the Naomhóg is too long and too light to have an outboard motor fitted at the stern.] Notice how the Naomhóg's sides taper gently outwards while the currach's sides are vertical. This can have consequences for the position of the centre of balance and, thus, a boat's stability when it is tilted along its longitudenal axis. The Naomhóg would tend to remain more stable for longer. Much of the above constitutes issues that excite dispute and you'll find no shortage of both recognised and self-appointed experts to engage you in discussion or argument about various points. Consequently, this page will end by mentioning the characteristics of these craft that most people seem to agree upon: Currachs, being manufactured out of tanned skins or tarred canvas on thin strips of wood, are much lighter than wooden craft of comparable size. Conventional rowing and sailing craft have keels and relatively deep draughts [that part of the boat which is below the water-line]. Therefore, when propelled, they cut through the water. In contrast, Currachs have no keel and relatively very little draught so their action is, effectively, to skim across the surface of the water. [In this respect, they are often likened to the insect known as a "Pond Skater"]. Consequently, when handled correctly, Currachs are especially safe craft as the sea can't get 'hold' of them. However, the absence of a keel, especially a drop-keel, and a deeper draught also prevents Currachs from tacking effectively so they can't be sailed against the wind. On a conventional rowing boat, the end of the oar that gets wet widens out to become a flattish paddle. By this means, the boat is pulled through the water. On a Currach, the oars do not widen out - they remain more-or-less parallel along their length [illustration] - and the boat is pulled over the water.
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