Why
a Coracle?
The coracle, or curragh, in Celtic
myths is one method of transporting on a 'Soul Journey' or fantastic voyage.
The voyage of Maelduin, who went in search of his father's killer and returns
with Otherworldly insight, was taken to the outer islands in a curragh.
His Christian counterpart, St. Brendan, sailed with his followers in these
little boats to the shores of North America. Conn the Hundred-fighter
makes a quest to the islands to find a boy whose parents were pure; his
son, Art, makes a quest for a faerie woman using a magical curragh; Conn's
second wife, a faerie exile, uses a magic curragh to reach the shores of
Ireland.
The coracle, or curragh, is a
walnut-shaped boat made of hides stretched over a framework of bark.
These days, however, tarp is used instead. It is propelled by the
user standing inside it and pushing or poling it with a single stick.
These craft were sturdy enough for shore fishing in the ocean as well as
for fishing on lakes and rivers.
The coracle or curragh is making
a come-back in Wales, with races being held in some riverfront locations.
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