Big Boat Build Workshop

Connect with a piece of the Ilen - sponsorship of a plank is a meaningful way for you to support our project.

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Donations are very much appreciated and allow us to continue to provide hands-on education.

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Limited edition poster print of the Ketch Ilen is now available.

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What's Happening

January Workshop

The recent January workshop saw frames 19 and 20 fitted. Six eager participants set to the task with great enthusiasm under the direction of the shipwrights.

A shared love of wooden boats and the sea

For 3 days I was lost in time, watching and helping the traditional shipwrights turn out intricate frames from rough-sawn slabs of oak. I saw at first-hand these revered and amazing skills and was involved in the re-build of AK ILEN.

For myself and many of the other workshop participants this was one of the most rewarding and heart-warming activities in which we have ever participated.
Captain J.G. Burns, MNI, Chief Officer & Master of ASGARD 2

Build a Boat

Áilín Quinlan talks to a boating enthusiast who helped rebuild an old Irish wooden sailing ship and hears about the three-day workshops open to anyone who fancies doing the same under the watchful eye of qualified shipwrights.
SilverCircle.ie

More News & Events

Wooden Boat Building Workshops

If you are looking for a great introduction to traditional wooden boat construction, join us on one of our three day workshops and work with some of Ireland's few remaining traditional shipwrights, refitting Ireland's sole surviving sea-going sailing ship.

Workshops are held in a traditional wooden boatbuilding yard in Oldcourt, Skibbereen, West Cork. Our workshops take place in Hegarty's Boatyard where professional wooden boat builders Liam Hegarty, John Hegarty and Fachtna O'Sulivan, offer participants a stimulating introduction to traditional West Cork wooden boat building.

Take this unique opportunity to carry forward this mysterious and ancient craft.

Typical workshop programme

  • Traditional wooden boat terminology (nomenclature)
  • What are the basic elements that make up a wooden boat
  • What woods are used in boat construction, oak, larch etc.
  • How to use a chain mould
  • Making moulds
  • Shaping new oak frames and bevel cutting
  • History of the West Cork sailing vessel Ilen

To get confirmation of the next workshop dates or to book your place click here.

Within the walls and under the roof of an old unassuming corn store, well set into the landscape on the River Ilen,
a magnificent world roaming giant is once again gathering strength ...

 

 Supported by
This project is supported by the West Cork Development Partnership under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013