New homemade curragh latest addition Cork fleet on the River Lee 

A traditional handmade currach was launched into the River Lee from Lapp’s Quay in Cork earlier this week.

The vessel was a project completed by participants of the Focus Programme, which is run by Meitheal Mara, in conjunction with the National Learning Network at Penrose Wharf.

Meitheal Mara is a community boatyard, registered charity and training centre, located in Cork city, which works with a number of organisations to promote and foster maritime culture.

As part of the course, eight participants took on the challenge of hand-crafting the boat, which will be used going forward by local Foróige clubs.

Fleet

The project took five months to complete, with the help of two on-site instructors, and will be joining a fleet of currachs previously made by Meitheal Mara course participants.

The 16-week Focus Programme course, funded by Cork ETB, is designed to assist young adults suffering from mental health conditions, by encouraging them to take part in group activities.

“It’s a great programme for people with mental health issues,” rehabilitative instructor at the National Learning Network, Mairead Keating, said.

“It’s very therapeutic, you learn a lot of skills when you’re there drilling and pairing wood.

“It helps to build confidence, because you’re working as a team, and it gets people outdoors.

“It’s been very successful down through the years.

“Everyone was very excited for the culmination of the 16-week programme.”

Token

In addition to the launch of the vessel, participants presented the two Meitheal Mara instructors, who assisted in crafting the boat, with a wooden 3D model of a currach, created by one of the course goers.

“It was just a token of appreciation for all they [Meitheal Mara] do for us, they go above and beyond,” Ms Keating added.

“They are absolutely brilliant.”

Cork Learning Network is currently recruiting for the Focus Programme at Penrose Wharf – with anyone interested in applying asked to contact Cork area manager Eugene Higgins on 086-4121262, or to visit: https://corknln.ie.