Prisoners in Dublin’s Mountjoy Training Unit have given Crosscare a 40-year-old Currach, which they painstakingly restored.
The newly refurbished Currach was launched on the River Liffey today (Saturday August 31st)
Crosscare will use the Currach in their work with marginalised young people in the Dublin and Wicklow areas. Crosscare Youth Services provides innovative and targeted work, with over 4,500 young people needing support through outdoor youth provision, street work, detached work, and outreach.
The Currach was originally built in West Clare in 1984, carefully crafted by Derry Hedderman of Carraignaholt. It is 40 years old and is a traditional Irish boat with significant historical and cultural value. Martin Keating from Wexford purchased the boat in the 1980s. He and his brothers-in-law actively raced it, highlighting the seaworthiness of this traditional vessel.
Prisoners in the Training Unit meticulously restored the boat under the supervision of sculptor and artist Shane Holland, honouring traditional methods. The refurbishment preserved the boat’s historical integrity and provided a meaningful project for the prisoners, connecting them to a unique emblem of Irish heritage.
Chris Killeen from Crosscare’s Outdoor Learning team said they will use the currach in their activity-based programmes to help young people grow in confidence and expand their creativity and emotional intelligence. “Outdoor Learning is an invaluable outlet for engaging with young people in need. We work with them to build lasting, positive relationships and support them to reach their potential. We are very grateful to have this Currach as a unique addition to our work.”
Patricia Kelleher, Governor of the Training Unit, said of the restoration, “The Training unit provides a unique service to the prison estate with a strong focus on healthcare and supporting those who have become more vulnerable due to age and illness. It can be challenging to come up with suitable activities that everyone can enjoy. The restoration of this boat has given it a second life, something we strive to do every day with those in custody.”
The donation of the Currach represents a full-circle moment in its storied history. The boat will be used to revisit West Clare, its original construction site, allowing young people to connect with the region’s maritime traditions. Young people will also use it off the south coast of Wexford.
Its journey from a racing vessel in the 1980s to a symbol of rehabilitation and historical preservation in Mountjoy Prison, and now as a teaching tool for youth, reflects the boat’s ongoing significance. The efforts of the prisoners involved in its refurbishment and Crosscare have ensured that this piece of cultural history will continue to be appreciated for years to come. The Currach’s return to West Clare and its use in Wexford marks the completion of a meaningful journey, bringing the boat back to its origins while inspiring a new generation.
