Falmouth marine students go Irish (From Boating Cornwall)

Falmouth marine students go Irish

2:15pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

A group of students studying on the National Open College Network Introduction to Joinery course were given the chance to experience at first hand the technique for building a traditional Irish boat.

The students travelled to Halvasso last week to spend a day at Chy-An Cultural Centre where the currach or coracle was being made. Boatbuilder, Rory MacPhee, who is a former tutor at Falmouth Marine School and organised the event, gave the students instruction in this ancient craft.

In addition to enjoying a day out in the fresh air in beautiful surroundings, the group came home with a small boat, which they had built themselves. The structure is made of willow, grown on the site, and bound together with twine.

Traditionally, such boats are constructed from a framework of lathes of whatever wood is available covered with animal hide. They are very robust and seaworthy and have been used for many centuries in Ireland.

Rory MacPhee said: “The students had a very enjoyable day and are justifiably proud of their vessel which has been named Fellowship.”

One of the students, Peter Kirby, said: “It’s a wonderful idea as the Fellowship represents our effort as a team.”

Eric La Frogne, tutor on the course said: “I think that there is something genuinely special about getting together bits of rope and sticks and making out of it an object that enables people to travel. This currach makes you dream and reflect on the part they played in history. Rory’s experience and passion was a great drive for our students and we all had a truly memorable day.”