North Dublin rowers have completed a crossing of the North Channel from Donaghadee in Co.Down to Portpatrick in Scotland in two traditional West of Ireland currachs.
As previously reported by Afloat, a crew panel from Currachaí na Sceirí in Skerries, Co.Dublin, undertook the voyage, named Slí ár Sinséar (Voyage of Ancestors), in two currachs accompanied by support craft.
Shane Holland of Currachaí na Sceirí said the crews completed the crossing last weekend in six hours and 15 minutes. “We did our Voyage of Ancestors in six hours 15 minutes from Donaghadee to Portpatrick,” Holland said.
Mayo and Aran Currachs Cross the Channel
The two traditional boats were An Béal Deirg, a North Mayo salmon-fishing currach from Belderrig, and Musha, an Aran Islands workboat. “Our trip in An Béal Deirg, a North Mayo salmon-fishing currach from Belderrig, was done for lots of reasons,” Holland said.
The expedition began in Bangor, where Mike Macargue and his crew provided two RIBs through Safer Waters to take half the group to Donaghadee to start. “We made our way out alongside the Copeland Islands before the tidal rush and a gentle NE flow,” Holland said.
Scotland bound — The currach crew rows out from Donaghadee at the start of the six-hour 15-minute passage across the North Channel to Portpatrick
With favourable sea conditions, the currachs maintained a pace of about six kilometres per hour on the predicted 40km passage.
“The sea conditions were very good, and no rolling waves and a small swell kept us straight, and we began to see more detail on the Galloway coast, steering at 50 degrees on the compass,” Holland said.
Dolphins Join Currach Crews Mid-Channel
The North Channel's commercial traffic presented no major difficulties during the passage. “The channel was not so busy, and the ferries were not close, and just another RIB supporting swimmers was north of us,” Holland said.
The crews also had an unexpected encounter as they approached the latter stages of the crossing. “In an instant a flash mob of dolphins popped up as we were three-quarters way over,” he said.
After another crew change, Holland took a spell steering as the two boats closed on the Scottish coast.
On reaching Portpatrick, the mood changed from concentration to celebration. “I pressed the Olé Olé button on the loudhailer and nearly fell over trying to kiss the sand,” Holland said.
Mayo makes landfall — North Mayo salmon-fishing currach An Béal Deirg, flying its Mayo colours, ashore at Portpatrick after completing the 40km crossing
The crews received what Holland described as a “wonderful welcome” in Portpatrick.
Voyage Recalls Ancient Sea Crossings
The expedition was intended to evoke journeys believed to have been undertaken across the same stretch of water thousands of years ago, when early seafarers travelled between Ireland and Scotland in skin-covered boats.
The aim, Holland said, was to replicate similar voyages where “skin boats would have carried intrepid rowers and sailors on animal hide craft over this tricky channel”.
The crossing also had a personal significance for the crews. Holland said they remembered their recently deceased fathers and Keith Gilbride, the best friend of rower Cormac Quinn, whose wake was taking place in Skerries on the day of the voyage.
Crew effort — The Currachaí na Sceirí team who took on the Slí ár Sinséar voyage, crossing the North Channel in two traditional west of Ireland currachs
The rowers were Teddy Otto Cox (Berlin/Skerries), Seamus McRoarty (Donegal/Stamullen), Finbarr O'Connor (Mayo/Skerries), Anca Mairgrean (Romania/Rush), Shane Holland (Meath/Mayo/Skerries), John McGahn (Limerick/Skerries), Conor Dodd (Dublin/Skerries) and Tony Moran (Mayo/Skerries).
Transport support was provided by Billy O'Dea (Galway/Skerries) and Paul Darcy (Dublin/Skerries).
