Time was when the citizens of Limerick bound for their annual summer holiday at Kilkee would take the Shannon steamer down the long estuary to Cappagh pier at Kilrush, and then be conveyed by jaunting car or something similar across country to the Atlantic coast and the joys of Kilkee.
Yet despite the unreliability of the West Clare Railway as celebrated by Percy French in Are You Right There, Michael?, in their time the trains took over the trade. But nowadays it’s the roads, even if the stage of the journey from Ennis to Kilrush somehow always seems like the longest 41 road kilometres in the entire world.
Atlantic-facing Kilkee offers little shelter for boats, but its ultra-bracing fresh air was much-sought by the people of Limerick city, particularly if a cholera epidemic threatened.
CLASSIC RESTORATION PROJECT
It’s worth covering it though, for in Kilrush is some of the best wooden boat-building anywhere in Ireland. Master-shipwright Steve Morris and his team are currently working on the completion of a new Howth 17 to the original 1898 design, while the “new birth” of the Dublin Bay 21 Maureen to the 1902 hull design will bring the flotilla of the re-born DB21 Class that graces Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier up to six boats, further demonstrating the validity of Hal Sisk and Fionan de Barra’s Class Restoration concept.
The new 1897-designed Howth 17 under construction (above and below) at Kilrush. Planking timber is utile (or sipo), main frames and centreline are laminated iroko, gunwhales are khaya (Lagos mahogany), and bent frames are European air-dried oak, while fastenings are bronze and copper. The deck will be one layer of Bruynzeel marine ply, with laid old-growth vertical grain Douglas fir over the top. Photos: Steve Morris
The many traditional and classic boat-building projects in Kilrush – currently included the building of two classic currachs under the direction of James Madigan – means that the word of this hub of living marine tradition along Ireland’s Atlantic Coast has spread abroad, with impressive Kilrush-created boats making a strong impression - and being very hospitably received - at Festivals like Brest and the Morbihan.
Looking forward in the Dublin Bay 21 Maureen as the unique “Class Restoration” project continues. Photo: Steve Morris
The attention to detail in the DB21 rebirth is outstanding. Photo: Steve Morris
BRETONS ON THE WAY
This is now working both ways, as April 11th will see the arrival of 40+ traditional enthusiasts from Plouhinec and Plouzane in Brittany arriving in West Clare. To cater for such numbers, the time-honoured twinning relationship between Kilrush and Kilkee will get a shot in the arm. The former has accommodation to spare in mid-April, while the latter has the enduring appeal of worthwhile traditional boats being built, and both places are much involved in the West Clare traditional music scene.
The restored Dublin Bay 21 flotilla has brought classic elegance to the view from Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier, and there’ll be six of them by the time of the Classics Regatta at the Royal Irish YC on June 20th Photo: Michael Chester
