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Blackweir Turf Cot
This June 08 we initiated a dig to take measurements and drawings of what was the last Poulnasherry Turf Cot to work in Poulnasherry Bay. This boat had an important job to carry turf out from under Blackweir Bridge to bigger sailing turf Boats further out in the bay.
Jim Blackhall, in his late 90's remembered loading turf on this boat. We were very lucky to meet with Jim and share his memories of this boat before he passed away in December 08, RIP.
The boat was poled out to larger sailing turf boats anchored in deeper waters. Jim mentioned that some of the larger timbers had been washed up on the shores of Clare in the 1800's from boats that been carrying them from South America.
It is over 35 feet in length and 9 foot beam.
This boat was built locally and gives an insight into a time when hundreds of wooden sailing boats were the preferred choice of transport on the Shannon Estuary. In the 1850's the commute time between Kilrush and Kilkee (8 Miles) was 1hr 30 min before they did roadworks that brought it down to 1 hour. It is easy to see why boats were more popular. We can cover twice that distance with full cargo in same time using tides and wind.
At one stage over 20 sailing turf boats worked out of Pounasherry carring what was described in 1837 as "vast quantities of turf up to Limerick"
This group are now planning to build a traditional wooden sailing vessel in the hope that we can train people on building and sailing skill. We have the ability and interest to carry this project through. We also have wonderful natural seascapes of the lower Shannon Estuary and harbours such as Querrin and Carrigaholt. All offers of help would be gratefully appreciated.
This June 08 we initiated a dig to take measurements and drawings of what was the last Poulnasherry Turf Cot to work in Poulnasherry Bay. This boat had an important job to carry turf out from under Blackweir Bridge to bigger sailing turf Boats further out in the bay.
Jim Blackhall, in his late 90's remembered loading turf on this boat. We were very lucky to meet with Jim and share his memories of this boat before he passed away in December 08, RIP.
The boat was poled out to larger sailing turf boats anchored in deeper waters. Jim mentioned that some of the larger timbers had been washed up on the shores of Clare in the 1800's from boats that been carrying them from South America.
It is over 35 feet in length and 9 foot beam.
This boat was built locally and gives an insight into a time when hundreds of wooden sailing boats were the preferred choice of transport on the Shannon Estuary. In the 1850's the commute time between Kilrush and Kilkee (8 Miles) was 1hr 30 min before they did roadworks that brought it down to 1 hour. It is easy to see why boats were more popular. We can cover twice that distance with full cargo in same time using tides and wind.
At one stage over 20 sailing turf boats worked out of Pounasherry carring what was described in 1837 as "vast quantities of turf up to Limerick"
This group are now planning to build a traditional wooden sailing vessel in the hope that we can train people on building and sailing skill. We have the ability and interest to carry this project through. We also have wonderful natural seascapes of the lower Shannon Estuary and harbours such as Querrin and Carrigaholt. All offers of help would be gratefully appreciated.
Turf Cot
