History, Folklore and Construction
Price: £40.00
The story of traditional boats reveals much about Ireland's social and economic history - how its people harnised the sea's resources, and how ideas along with people, goods and animals, were carried throughout its extensive inland and coastal waters.
Ireland's diverse marine environments have given rise to a variety of boat types: flat - bottomed craft still dominate inland waters, while smooth hulled "skin" boats (curachs) have for generations inhabited exposed coasts unsuited to large sailing craft. Viking - style clinker sailing yawls characterised the north and east coasts, while in the south and west, great carvel - built hookers were once commonplace. Many examples of traditional craft still form part of the fabric of coastal and inland water communities - as work boats or pleasure boats. Sadly, many now lie idle in harbours or on slipways, hauled up on shores of lakes or hidden from view by foliage along the banks of rivers. 658 pages HB