Sharp-eyed folk may have noticed a small title change in this blog.
What used to be In the Coracle has now become In the Currach.
Why? When I named this thing In the Coracle, I was deep in transition, living in the fog of in-between, and also deeply in love with the stories of Celtic Christianity. I remain so.
The Coracle was a great image for that time. Here is a picture of one:
Coracles are small, round, wood-and-skin boats made for short travels. The stories of Celtic Christians – I thought – told of setting out to sea in coracles, asking God to guide the tide and the waves and landing wherever the elements took them. It was a romantic image, and also fit well with my sense of not knowing where I was heading.
But the problem is, that’s not the boat. Brendan the Navigator, the settlers on Skellig Michael or an number of other pilgrims rode (rowed!) another type of craft. The Currach.
See the differences? One is round and can’t be steered much; the other can actually travel. It can have direction. And though it may be less romantic, it’s a good sturdy craft.
And so, as I feel more aimed in a direction these days, we’re changing the central image of this site. Wind and waves and current still come, but at least we have an aim, and a craft in which others can ride and row.
pat loughery 
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