"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.
What's Happening
- The Irish Times, Extract - An Irishwoman's Diary, Lorna Siggins
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...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 .
- Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival - Framing Out Ceremony
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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.
- Next Workshop Dates Confirmed
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Traditional Wooden Boat Building
June Wed 23 – Fri 25th 2010
News Stories
Framing Out Ceremony
Friday May 28th 2010 is a celebratory day for the Big Boat Build project. On that day we fit the final of our 28 great Irish oak frames – a milestone in our workshop programme. It is to be marked with a framing out ceremony for all our participants, supporters, friends and guiding shipwrights.
The ceremony will take place in the Grain Store in Hegarty’s Boat Yard, Oldcourt, Skibbereen, West Cork. The occasion will also mark the final day of our 18th Big Boat Build Workshop when third time participant Mary Johnny Joe O‘Driscoll will have the honour of fitting and bolting the final frame of the good ship Ilen.
Our ‘framing out’ ceremony is an ancient custom more associated with the fitting of the last frame to an inert wooden building – but on this occasion it will commemorate the placement by the shipwrights of an oak branch on the Ilen’s stem to mark progress with the build of our good ship.
All are welcome to attend.
Ceremony Programme
4:00pm
Viewing of the Ilen, tour by master shipwrights Liam Hegarty, John Hegarty and Fachtna O’Sullivan, Hegartys Boatyard.
5:00pm
Framing out ceremony by Anthony Keane OSB, forester Glenstal Abbey, founding member and director of the AK Ilen Company.
5:30pm
Talk – The Traditional Boats of Ireland – Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Archivist-Collector, UCD Delargy Centre for Irish Folklore and Editor of Traditional Boats of Ireland book.
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