President Connolly this week launched Curachaí na Life, an innovative community currach-rowing project that blends centuries-old Irish maritime heritage with a new vision for the River Liffey. The project is based at HQ2O Watersports, operated by Swan Leisure at the Docklands Municipal Watersports Centre.
Curachaí na Life aims to reimagine the Liffey as a space where heritage, culture, creativity and community come together. Drawing inspiration from one of Ireland’s most iconic coastal traditions, the project invites people of all ages to experience the currach as a living craft, full of relevance for modern urban life.
At the centre of the event are four handcrafted currachs, built by currach craftsmen and currach rowing champions Micheál and Máirtín Ó Maoilchiaráin from Carna in the Conamara Gaeltacht.
Their work represents a powerful cultural connection; the skill, language and craft of the west of Ireland brought directly into the heart of Dublin 1. Three of the vessels were built in Conamara, while the fourth was constructed onsite at HQ2O, accompanied by weekly workshops trí Ghaeilge that allowed the public to observe and participate in the building process.
The launch ceremony took place on the pontoon beside the Custom House, where the President participated in the ceremonial release of the mooring line, sending the new vessels onto the river for the first time.
Crews from Curachaí na Life then completed a demonstration row on the Liffey, showcasing how this ancient maritime craft thrives within a modern docklands landscape. During the demonstration, local poet John Cummins will delivered a custom piece of poetry written especially for the occasion — a reflective moment designed to honour the river, the craft, and the communities connecting Conamara and Dublin through Curachaí na Life.
Curachaí na Life forms part of Swan Leisure’s wider mission to support health, wellbeing and community connection by encouraging people to engage with the River Liffey. The project will continue throughout the year with currachrowing sessions through Irish, further strengthening the relationship between heritage, language and activity.
