A currach at rest

An upturned currach covered in frost at Barna Pier, at sunrise. Photographed last Sunday – click on picture for larger version.

St Columba, one of Ireland’s [and Scotland’s] most famous missionaries, arrived in Iona in Scotland in a currach on May 12th, 563. For such a fragile-looking boat, a currach has been transporting sailors, fishermen and the odd future saint around the Irish and British seas for centuries. Along the west of Ireland, you’ll often see the distinct black shape of an upturned boat, and they are still used for fishing as well as in competition.

The currach [above] in Barna is one of three that I have photographed previously.

St Columba was born on this day in 521 AD, 1487 years ago.

Camera= Canon 5D, lens= Canon 17-40mm@17, aperture=f8, speed=1/250 sec, ISO=400.