Conference tallis::celt

905.0. "Curraghs/ coracles" by MEALA::JOYCE () Thu May 09 1991 13:45

         [Based on article in "History Today", May 1991]
    
    A coracle is made from a wicker basket-like structure surrounded
    by leather or treated fabric. They float on the surface of the
    water and hold one person at a time. They were (and are) used on
    Welsh rivers for fishing - two float downstream with a net
    stretched between them.
    
    Curraghs are larger, and can take up to 10 people(?), and usually
    have a wooden rather than a wicker frame.
    
    Coracle making has been dying out and a determined effort is being
    made to rescue this art in Wales. Coracles are one of the few items
    that would be recognised by a visitor from the Bronze Age were he
    or she to return today. The Irish were using seagoing curraghs
    in Julius Caesar's day.
    
    A Coracle Society has been formed, with an annual subscription
    of 5 pounds sterling for membership. I do not know if there
    is a Curragh society in Ireland - I presume there is and that
    they organise the annual Curragh Regatta in Spiddal every year.
    There are annual coracle regattas at Cilgerran, Cenarth and
    Llechryd every summer.
    
    The secretary of the coracle society is Mr. John Williams-Davis,
    Welsh folk Museum, St. Fagans, Cardiff CF5 6BX, Wales. The 
    Coracle Centre is open at Cenarth Easter to October daily from
    10:30 to 5:30 (Tel: 0239-710 209).
    
    Anyone got the address of the Curragh Society?
    
    Toby