Ten fifth and sixth year pupils of Scoil Mhichíl Naofa, Ballinskelligs National School, built two 16ft Dunfanaghy Curachs under the guidance of Holger Lonze over a period of five weeks. The boats, named Báidín na nÓg and An Báidín Greanta were launched on the 21st June at Reen Pier with the local community. Curachs, usually called canoes in South Kerry, were commonly used in this part of the Uíbh Ráthach peninsula until the early 20th C. However, unlike in West Kerry, the tradition vanished, the boats being replaced by carvel-built Seine boats. The curachs built by the school are Sheephaven, Co. Donegal style boats, which are simpler to make than the local naomhóga. The use of inexpensive, local and easily-sourced materials such as hazel, canvas and white deal, allowed the pupils to learn about making sustainable and affordable leisure craft with regional significance and heritage. Holger has made over 40 curachs and local boats with various community groups all over Ireland since 2001, some of these groups have become permanent heritage organisations, such as Lough Neagh Boating Heritage Association (watch a video of making Dunfanaghy Curachs here).
The launch ceremony with poet Paddy Bushe at Reen Pier, Ballinskelligs with many members of the local community in attendance
Báidín na nÓg finished in the foreground, rainwater is left in the curach to flatten the hull
The kids learn to use traditional hand tools and basic woodworking and boat building skills