A CURRACH on its last legs was given a pink makeover by a group of dedicated Kilrush rowers.
By Dearbhla Parry
On a small slope across the Marina sits a pink fibreglass currach by the name of ‘The Pink Ribbon’. This boat was just a skeleton before its new refurbishment by the West Clare Currach Club over the summer, giving it new life for another 20 years to not only take to the waters and race, but also to stand as a symbol for all cancer survivors.
“We’re survivors,” said member Mairead O’Brien when speaking about the seven out of nine club members who have experienced the struggles of cancer. “There’s an awful lot of people in the club that either have had cancer or have had somebody very close to them with cancer,” said member Deirdre Mullins. “That’s why it’s called The Pink Ribbon, to honour those people.”
The traditional currach is black and made with canvas. However, over the summer, this group decided to break traditions. Member Stephen O’Brien laughed, “There’s only one colour. So the colour didn’t get asked until it was in here, and it was done pink.” Sponsored by Clare Sports Partnership’s Pat Sexton, the group were given the pink dye for free from Midleton. He said, “The colour makes no difference to the boat, but for everyone here, it makes a big difference.”
The pink boat has been a talking point about cancer, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, encouraging people to go to their GP and get checked if something is not normal for them. “There’s nobody who’s not affected by cancer,” commented Deirdre, who spoke about the importance of raising awareness and showing support for those affected. Early diagnosis of cancer is very important to help increase cancer survival.
The Pink Ribbon entered the Ocean to City race in May, a long-distance rowing race set in Cork, and the Three Island Challenge Skerries in June, a 7km currach challenge in South Strand. Before its new makeover, the pink boat was almost “written off”. Now, the boat will last another 15-20 years. “It’s actually a lovely boat to row, a very safe boat,” added Stephen.
“It draws a spectacle in fairness,” said Mairead when asked about the reaction of the local community. Deirdre explained that crowds will often gather from the nearby restaurant to look at The Pink Ribbon as they row. “I think everybody is either intrigued or delighted to see it. It’s such an iconic symbol”.
As well as building and maintaining muscle, improving bone health, and improving mental health through socialising, currach rowing can reduce the risk of at least seven types of cancers. Marie O’Leary explained, “The whole reason rowing is associated with being good for breast cancer survivors is because it helps drain all the lymph system”. “It’s actually the perfect sport for anybody who has breast issues or is lumpy or has a history of breast cancer,” said Mairead.
Marie who recovered from breast cancer in 2011 shared her story, “I’ve had a great recovery, but I think often in breast cancer, you’re treated and that’s the end of that. But actually, the aftercare is so important”. She explained the feeling of being lost at sea, despite the “fantastic care system”. After joining the currach club, Marie felt stronger and more confident. “The healthier and fitter you are, you become more confident in your body,” she said. “Any confidence you have reduces the fear that you’re left with of recurrence”.
“I do think the aftercare needs to be better managed, but obviously the money isn’t there to do that.”
Deirdre added, “I know it’s for cancer, but it does throw a nod to women in sports.” The history of currach racing dates back to the 1950s. But for women, racing was only a reality until 45 years ago. Mairead told The Clare Echo a story of the beginnings of women’s racing in Ireland, which involved a friend of hers who she used to row with in Kerry. “When she started rowing, it was only men,” she said. “In the beginning, there was one man and three women in the women’s race because they didn’t believe that the women could make the boat safe or keep the boat stable in the water.” After a couple of years, she made a deal with her father that if she beat her brothers in a race, she could set up a women’s currach league. “From then on, the racing in Maharees took forward.”
Many of the women in the group joined over a year ago with the help of the ‘Get into Currach’ initiative with the Clare Local Sports Partnership, a four-week rowing programme which encourages women in sport. “I would have never thought I could go out in a traditional currach and go and do big races like we’ve done, never in a million years, but it has become accessible through what they’ve done with the Clare Sports Partnership,” member Bernie Mullins told The Clare Echo. Stephen said, “We’re kind of running off the team that there is more to rowing than racing”.
The 20-year-old club regularly row to the nearby Scattery and Hogg Islands. However, even though currach racing in Clare is becoming increasingly more serious, numbers are falling. “There’s about 10% of any club that race. So, if you ignore the other 90%, well then you have no club,” explained Stephen. “The more we do as a group, the club seems to get bigger,” he admitted.
“Around here, I’m one of two that’s left in the club that actually fished out of the boats. We used them for their proper use,” said Stephen, who has ensured that all members, whether experienced or beginners, have the chance to learn from each other. “The only restriction to rowing is inside your own head. We open it up to anyone”.
“I can’t remember the first time I got into the boat. But everyone here, I remember getting into the boat”.
After a busy year of racing, which includes winning a runner-up award for the Kilkee Currach Regatta, the Kilrush Currach Club are planning their next race in Northern Spain for May 2026.
