Currachaí na Sceirí

Ár turas go Albain. Our trip to Scotland. In our Béal Deirg currach last Sunday. Just 1 boat btw.

Bhí an athas orainn tar éis ár turas mór go Albain dé Domhnaigh. Rinnemuid Slí ár Sinsear i 6úr 15 nóiméad. We were very happy after our row to Scotland on Sunday. We did our 'Voyage of Ancestors' in 6hours 15 minutes from Donaghadee to Portpatrick
Our trip in An Béal Deirg a North Mayo salmon fishing Currach from Belderrig was done for lots of reasons but to do something big with this unique currach the one and only in use model of this style.
We started out in Bangor in the safe hands of Mike MaCargue and his crew of 2 ribs provided by Waters who brought half of us by rib the 25 minute ride to Donaghadee. Our other crew in the jeep were stopped by security at the triathalon but Paul D'Arcy diplomatically schmoozed our way to the slip ensuring we were off by 8am. A team and safety talk at the outer harbour had us ready to leave and we set the time at 8.10. We made our way out alongside the Copeland islands before the tidal rush started and with a gentle NE flow lead us to a good pace of circa 6kmph for this predicted 40km journey with 7 hours or even 8 if we hit a hard flow. We were on a 90minute changeover of 2 subs and we had made 10kms by the first changeover. Teddy was cox and captain and kept us informed of progress along with Mike in the rib checking our course. The row sea conditions were v good and no rolling waves and a small swell kept us straight and we began to see more detail on the Galloway coast steering at 50 degrees on the compass. The channel was not so busy and the ferries were not close and just another rib supporting swimmers which was north of us. In an instant a flash mob of dolphins popped up as we were 3/4 way over. We had another change and I steered for a shift for a change. It was now time with 5 kms to go that I moved up the boat to deploy the small auxillary sail for our change of course south east into Portpatrick. We saw the harbour and its granite walls and glided in to holidaymakers on the beach and we were there. I pressed the Olé Olé button on the loudhailer and nearly fell over trying to kiss the sand. Soon we saw Billy and his jeep and trailer and with lots of local help we loaded up our boat and oars and headed to the waterfront.
We were celebrating with sips of lovely Boann legend whiskey from our local Meath Distillery and were bought rounds by friendly locals who were stunned by our voyage. We met Brenda and Tommy Monteith of the local Portpatrick Rowing Club and handed them and our Support boat a bottle each. We set off to set up camp with others choosing fancier accomodation and met up later to celebrate further but were left to our own devices as a Sunday night was not so busy in this small town of 800 in winter and a few thousand in summer. This journey had meaning as a Journey of Ancestors' replicating trips many thousands of years ago where skin boats would have carried intrepid rowers and sailors on animal hide craft over this tricky channel.
Later local bikers reminded us of pods of orcas ramming boats but not sure if this was myth or legend. In any case we also remembered our recently deceased fathers and best friend of one of our rowers Cormac Quinn, Keith Gilbride who was being waked in Skerries the same day, Teddy made a photo of Keiths hat on this Scottish beach with the words 'Love yourself today' for a fellow rower and kayaker.
Slí ár Sinsear had happened after months of planning and training and Mike suggested this was a world record crossing for a Belderrig currach at 6.15 but the feeling of teamwork and its result is most important . After our trip back through Belfast and Bangor via taxis trains and van the chat now is where to next?

The rowers were

Teddy Otto Cox (Berlin Skrs) Seamus Mc Roarty (Donegal/ Stamullen) Finbarr O Connor (Mayo Skrs)
Anca Mairgrean ( Romania / Rush) Shane Holland (Meath Mayo Skrs) John Mc Gahn (Limerick Skrs)
Conor Dodd (Dublin Skrs) Tony Moran ( Mayo Skrs)
Transport
Billy O Dea ( Galway Skrs) Paul Darcy Dublin Skrs)




Skerries

Nice to meet up with Nadège and colleague from Festival de Loire who visited our yard this week . They were looking at boats for their festival in Orleans in September. She also visited Claidhbh on the Boyne and Currachs. This looks like fun for something our crew could do in Sept 2027.
Festival de Loire - ORLEANS

Gríangraph an Dúshlán. The photo of the Challenge.
Michael McKenna 's picture of Kevin from Crosscare in 'Spleodar', finishing off the challenge on the South Strand by planting his flag, after a hard fought effort in high winds. Well done to all participants in this years memorable.
The 3 island Challenge is the biggest currach event in Ireland . It started in 2019 with local boats from the east coast but now attracts crews from all over Ireland and some from the US. . .

Cúpla eile ón deireadh seachtaine.
A few more from the weekend.