"It was fascinating to see the work of the people who had spent their life learning their craft and trade. The work was REAL..." Eddie Cleary, Co. Tipperary
The workshop was fantastic, the crew in the boatyard were great, we all gelled together as a team and despite the busy social life, we managed to complete our work. Mike Ruane, Co. Wexford
For 3 days I was lost in time, watching and helping Fachtna & Liam turn out intricate frames from the rough-sawn slabs of oak Captain J.G. Burns, MNI, Serving Master Marine
I was convinced that not only did the shipwrights appreciate our assistance – however inexpert – they enjoyed too the colour, the banter & energy we brought with us. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh UCD National Folklore Collection
Connect with a piece of the Ilen - sponsorship of a plank is a meaningful way for you to support our project.
Donations are very much appreciated and allow us to continue to provide hands-on education.
Limited edition poster print of the Ketch Ilen is now available.
...FURTHER ALONG the coastline, this Friday is also an auspicious day for Gary McMahon and a team of master shipwrights who have been working on restoration of a very special vessel. The ketch Ilen is as significant in Irish maritime history as the Asgard or it successor, Asgard II .
One of the opening events of the festival this year is the Framing Out Ceremony of the good ship followed by a tour of the vessel and a talk on the Ilen Project.
Traditional Wooden Boat Building
June Wed 23 – Fri 25th 2010


Connect through sponsoring a component of the Ilen.
Planking is one of the largest tasks of refitting the good ship Ilen. It forms the outer skin of the vessel and her deck structure. Sponsorship of a plank is a meaningful way for you to support the project.
Sponsor a plank for €50/foot
Sponsors will receive a signed Builder’s Certificate in recognition of their donation.
The AK Ilen Company is recognised by the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland as a charitable organisation (CHY 13607). All plank ownership donations are tax deductible.
Designed by pioneering voyager, Conor O’Brien, Ilen was built by the Fisheries School, Baltimore, West Cork, Ireland and launched in 1926. Commissioned by the Falkland Islands Company, she served as an inter-island trading vessel in the tempestuous seas of the southern Atlantic for over fifty years. The Ilen was repatriated in 1998.
A2 Poster printed on high quality 200gsm paper - €15 plus postage

Auxiliary Ketch Ilen
Wooden Ketch - Plank on Frame
Rig: Gaff Ketch
Length: 56ft
Beam: 14ft
Draft: 8ft
The AK Ilen Company would like to thank all individuals, companies and agencies that have made generous contributions to the project. Without your continued support this project would not be possible.
All donations are very much appreciated and allow us to continue to provide hands-on education.
Make a Donation > PAYPAL
Big Boat Build Workshops, West Cork - supported by:
The tax allowance for companies covers the actual expenditure. Companies must claim a minimum of €250. It is not necessary for companies to fill out a form - all a company has to do is to include the donation in its tax return.
Example: If an individual on P.A.Y.E., paying tax at the higher rate (41%), makes a donation of €590, the recipient charity will be deemed to receive €1,000 less tax of €410. The charity will be able to claim back the €410 from the Revenue - this must be accompanied by the appropriate certificate, available to download at: www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/forms/chy2cert-charity.pdf
AK Ilen is an approved grantee of the American Fund for Charities - US donors donations are tax deductable.