model of Irish Curragh
constructed by James M. Norton in 2006
Below are images of a commissioned model of a 36' ocean-going Irish
curragh, of a type supposedly used by the Irish monk Brendan the
Navigator on his voyages in the North Atlantic. The 1/24 scale
model (1/2 inch equals 1 foot) was completely scratch-built and was
constructed in the ancient tradition of sewn leather hides stretched
over a lightweight wooden frame. The configuration of the
curragh and the original sculpture of Brendan at the helm are based on
descriptions by Fred Hoffman in "Beyond Crystal
Castles" (Xlibris books), the first book in his "Empires for the
Taking" series. Brendan's voyages
are also described in the epic Navigatio
sancti Brendani Abbatis, but you'll need to dust off your
Latin dictionary!
