The Dingle currach or naomhog has arrived in New Zealand, where the America's Cup, the world's greatest sailing event, is under way.
Three Dingle men have launched a naomhog in Auckland Harbour, after weeks in New Zealand plying their trade and teaching others how to build the craft.
The idea to bring west Kerry currach-building expertise to New Zealand was Mr Lorcan Slattery's and he enlisted the help of two Dun Chaoin craftsmen, Mr Padraig de Hora and Mr Mick Downes.
The trio from Dun Chaoin set off in mid-November and yesterday confirmed that the craft they had fashioned on Waiheke Island, 16 miles from Auckland, had been rowed into Auckland bay and was a total success. Two others will be built before the Dun Chaoin men return home. The adventure has aroused great interest and has attracted the attention of Bord Failte in Auckland as well as the New Zealand Ireland Fund and Irish diplomats in the region.
When the naomhog entered Auckland Harbour, it was blessed by Father Manus Lyons and welcomed by Ms Christine Fletcher, the Mayor of Auckland. Representatives of the city's Irish community were present, as were members of the Ngatai Whatua tribe, a Maori people who have their own version of the naomhog.
When the millennium reaches New Zealand, there will be a huge fanfare on Okahu beach, the spiritual domain of the Maori tribe. About 2,000 people are expected to welcome the naomhog and other native boats from the Pacific region, with a Maori haka, which has already been rehearsed. There will be music and drums and up to 1,000 craft will converge on the beach.
Speaking from New Zealand, Mr Slattery said it would be a proud and exciting moment for the west Kerry naomhog builders.