By Stephen Kearney
In autumn 2010, a group of friends from Kildysart stumbled across boat builder James Madigan displaying one of his latest builds, a West Clare Currach.
The friends got talking to James and decided that they too would like to turn their hands to boat building. So over the winter of 2010-11 , two West Clare Currachs were built by friends Pat Casey, Fintan Guinnane, Frank Ranalow, Donal Moloney, Terrence Corry, Peter Ranalow and Noel Sheehan, all under the able tutelage of James Madigan.
The two boats were built and launched the following spring. In order to make use of the new community asset it was decided to form a club, and so in the summer of 2011 Kildysart Currach Club was formed by Pat Casey, Frank Ranalow, Fintan Guinnane and Peter Ranalow.
Since then, the club has gone on to great success. It has increased its numbers substantially and its fleet now stands at six boats. In the summer in Kildysart you will often see Currachs going between Gortglass lake and the Shannon Estuary. The club has competed regularly at regattas around the country and has entered the prestigious ocean to city endurance race in Cork on a number of occasions.
On Sunday last the club came together at Gortglass lake to celebrate its 10th anniversary, a celebration that had been delayed a year due to covid 19. There was an abundance of food, music, craic and even some rowing. The lake was a hive of activity, with sups, kayaks and Kildysart Currach Clubs fleet bringing it’s many guests out for a tour of the lake. A great day was had by all.
If you are interested in going for a row you can contact the club through their Facebook or Instagram pages.
