For those missing the annual Dublin-Mayo clash on the GAA pitch, there is a substitute of sorts on water this weekend.
A friendly clash between the Dublin-based Mayomen of Skerries and the Mayomen of Belderrig in the north of the county takes place on Saturday, July 30th, in Belderrig harbour.
Declan Caulfield, owner of the local Mayo boat, says it will be the first such race in over 50 years.
Belderrig currach oarsmen in action
The crews previously raced against each other in Skerries at the 3 Island Currach Challenge.
The Skerries boat, An Béal Deirg, is a five hander 24 foot salmon fishing type of currach, which there are only a handful of worldwide.
Shane Holland, who is captain of Currachaí na Sceirí, says he is excited about the trip.
Holland says he “always wanted to row the North Mayo coast, given that my father grew up in the Post office in Killala”
“. Our crew consists of two other Mayomen - Tony Moran of Killala, Finbarr O’Connor of Knockmore and my nephew Louis Holland of Halifax, Nova Scotia, along with Kevin O’Sullivan and Dermot Higgins of Skerries,” Holland says.
The Belderrig crew skippered by Declan Caulfield includes Oisín Mc Canamhna of Belderrig, Darren and Paul Madden of Ballycastle, now living in Glasson and Co Cork respectively.
Oisín’s father, Brendán Mc Canamhna, is an expert on the subject of North Mayo currachs, and has written extensively on the subject.
The race will also be closely observed by Noel Campbell of the National Museum of Ireland, custodian of the third existing “Belderrig” which resides in the museum in Turlough Park in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
The race between the two currachs takes place at 12 noon on Saturday, July 30th, in Belderrig harbour, Co Mayo.
Belderrig Killala French oarsmen wearing French colours
