Currach

 Along much of the west coast, and particularly on the Aran Islands, the traditional rowing boats called "currachs" are still used for a coastal region where timber is scarce, these craft provide a practical and highly effective solution to boat builders.     There are made of a frame of wooden slats covered in canvas, which is then coated in several layers of black tar, although originally covered in hyde.     The shape of the currach is distinctive, originally circular they developed to a flat stern and a rising prow which rides high in the water. There are usually three seats, for traditionally currachs are rowed by teams of three oarsmen, each wielding a pair of narrow- bladed oars. The oars are held firm to the gunwale by a vertical spigot which serves as an oarlock : the oar has a triangular piece of wood attached to it with a hole through it, and a spigot is inserted into the hole.         Currachs are versatile craft, extremely buoyant, and able to bear large loads.  Although they are not particularly light, a crew of three can lift a currach over their heads and, looking like a long legged beetle, carry it well up the beach for safe-keeping. They are traditional stored upside-down, rested on stones or trestles, often with the oars and other gear sheltered beneath.     Nowadays, currachs are often fitted with small outboard motors, and wheeled in and out of the sea on dinghy trolleys, but nonetheless their basic design remains quite unchanged.  Currach racing is a popular sport in the west coast, and this alone is likely to help to preserve the boat's use for decades to come.               NEXT