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Querrin Regatta Currach Racing 14th May
On Sunday, I experienced my 1st traditional curragh race at the Querrin Pier in West Clare simply named The Querrin Regatta. Currach racing is a sport that has been taking place in some form or other for over a century; it’s an event that celebrates the traditional Currach boat and the skill demanded to race them.
The morning was calm and misty, a humid day the sea as smooth as the surface of a floor. The makeshift office/tent on the pier stood like a Native American tent. The regatta’s commentator, Eugene was resting in his chair and announcing the names of teams for the first competition. Each racing Currach takes teams of three and four, with the naomhóg competition is acknowledged to be the most prestigious of all the rowing races.
The skill of all these teams at the Querrin Regatta is profoundly evident. Racing currach boats is notoriously difficult, skilful to manoeuvre. The speed and fluency at with which these boats streak across the water was thrilling and beautiful to watch. The Currach race may not look as dramatic as those races with the striking sail action of hookers and gliteogs, but they are fabulous, pure examples of sheer man/woman power and technique. The crowds on the pier ritually applaud each boat in turn as it passes the finish line back in at the pier. They deserve their applause. It’s very hard won.
As the men and women await the starting horn from the organisers mic, their hands gripped oars as if carved into them, each one had an utterly focused expression. They look openly ruthless, because, when it comes to racing, they take each stroke of the oars as if they were trying to out row a great Atlantic storm on the way back to shore.
The construction and design of the currach are unique to the west coasts of Ireland. It is referred to as a naomhóg in counties Cork, Waterford and Kerry and as a “canoe” in West Clare. It is similar to the Welsh corcle, though the two originated independently. The plank-built rowing boat found on the west coast of Connacht is also called a currach or curach adhmaid (“wooden currach”), and is built in a style very similar to its canvas-covered relative. Folk etymology has it that naomhóg means “little holy one”, “little female saint”, from naomh, Munster pronunciation “saint, holy”, and the feminine diminutive, óg). Another explanation is that it comes from the Latin navis, and it has also been suggested that it derives from the Irish nae, a boat.
The currach has traditionally been both a sea boat and a vessel for inland waters. The River currach was especially well known for its shallow draft and manoeuvrability. It’s framework was constructed of hazel rods and sally twigs, covered by a single ox-hide, which not only insulated the currach, but also helped dictate its shape. These currachs were common on the rivers of South Wales, and in Ireland were often referred to as Boyne currachs. However, when Ireland declared the netting of salmon and other freshwater fish illegal in 1948, it quickly fell out of use.
By Adrian O’ Connor
Next Clare Regatta will be held in Carrigaholt on the 15th of July and Doonbeg on August 6th.
Results of the Querrin Regatta.
Women’s Final
1st Doonbeg/Inverin- Leah O’Sullivan, Julie Devane, Sienna Devane.
2nd Carna/Rosmuc – Roisin Einniu, Maire Brid Breathnach, Bernie Joyce.
3rd Clare/Mayo- Ruth O Leary
Trish Ward, Kathleen Ducey.
Mens Final
1st Galway/Doonbeg- Mairtin Einniu, Michael Sullivan, Eoin Honan.
2nd Carna/Rosmuc- Joe Rua Joyce, Mairtin and Michael Mulkerrins.
3rd Carraroe- Michael Folan, Christopher Day, Shane Mc Donagh.
Fear & Bean Final
1st Doonbeg- Eoin Honan, Leah O’ Sullivan.
2nd Rosmuc- Bernie Joyce, Noel Griffin.
3rd Kilrush/ Clarecastle- Trish Ward, Tom Blunnie
4th Connemara-Mairtin Einniu, Julie Devane.
Junior’s Final
1st Kilrush/Connemara- Darragh and James Blunnie, Cian O’Sullivan.
2nd Clarecastle/Galway- Ronan and Fionn O Leary, Conor Mc Donagh.
3rd Aird- Ciaran and Liam McGrath, Gearoid Mulkerrins.
4th Na Breathnach- Stephen, Sean and Michael Breathnach.
Mens Naomhog Final
1st Maharees- John Joe and Vincent Hussey, Colm O Connor, David Lynch.
2nd Connemara/Doonbeg- Mairtin Einniu, Michael Mulkerrins, Michael Sullivan, Eoin Honan.
3rd Carraroe/Kilrush- Michael Folan, Christopher Day, Shane Mc Donagh, Stephen O’ Brien.