Rosses or Owey Currach

One of the oldest and most distinctive boats in the world is the Rosses or Owey currach.

This currach was only found in the Rosses and was used as a working boat by Owey islanders until they left the Island in the early seventies. Some continued to use it for a time on the mainland.

At one time the currach would have been commonplace around the Rosses’ coast.

This currach is a very versatile boat – it could carry a half of a ton of cement or a cow and handle the Atlantic, yet could be lifted by one man on his back. It measured about 8.5 feet, with a beam of  3.5, depth of less than 2, and negligible draft.

It was normally paddled by a man kneeling in the bow on a sheaf of straw, which required great skill and stamina. The paddle was called a “ceasla”,
pronounced “case-la”, and was about five foot in length. Hence the currach is usually called currach ceasla or paddling currach.

In more recent times, oars on pins were fitted, as well as Seagull engines.

Six of these currachs are being made at the moment behind the Parochial House in Kincasslagh, under the supervision of Andy Ban McGonigal, originally from Owey but now living in the village.