Currach rowing is a traditional Irish form of coastal rowing that uses a lightweight, hand-built boat known as a currach. These boats have a wooden frame covered in canvas or tarred fabric, originally used by coastal communities for fishing and transport. Unlike modern racing shells, currachs are designed for open sea conditions, making them ideal for Ireland’s rugged coastal waters. Rowing a currach requires teamwork, rhythm, and strength, often with crews of three or four rowers and a coxswain steering. Today, currach rowing is kept alive through coastal regattas and rowing clubs, celebrating a unique part of Ireland’s maritime heritage.
