A 37 FOOT currach, believed to be the biggest ever built, was launched yesterday in west Kerry.
Named Colmcille, the currach is bigger than the Brendan used by the explorer, Tim Severin, in 1976-77 to follow the voyage of Brendan the Navigator to America.
It has been built to commemorate the death of Saint Colmcille in 597 AD, and will be rowed from Derry to loan in June.
It has been commissioned by the Causeway Coast Maritime Heritage Group, based in Portrush, Co Antrim, and was overseen by Mr Eddie Hutchinson, one of the best known currach builders in Ireland.
The Colmcille will be at the centre of a series of events planned to celebrate the life of Colmcille, one of Ireland's most famous missionary saints, who was also known as Columba.
He and 12 of his followers left Derry in 563 AD to found the great monastery on Iona. When the Vikings attacked Iona in the 9th century, the monks fled to Kells in Co Meath, taking with them precious manuscripts, including the Book of Kells.
Celebrations will also take place in Scotland, and next month an ecumenical pilgrimage will set out from Rome for Derry and Iona, via Canterbury, for the 1,400th anniversary of the saint.
The pilgrimage was proposed by Canon Stephen Platten, secretary for ecumenical affairs at Canterbury, who believes it will promote an appreciation of the mixed roots of Christianity in Britain while being an imaginative way to promote peace and reconciliation on this island.
Meanwhile, another Irish seafarer who has made a mark - RTE's Tom McSweeney, whose Seascapes programme is nearing its 400th edition - has just received the Cork Person of the Month award for his contribution to matters maritime.
From his home in Cork Harbour, Tom McSweeney publishes a newsletter for maritime enthusiasts.
A keen sailor, his knowledge of the sea has been praised by the Lloyd List shipping magazine which circulates throughout the world.