`Tiocfaimid timpeall !" A south-easterly might be drowning the skipper's voice, but two words can fast become familiar on a Galway hooker off south Connemara. It is either that, or return to Cill Chiarain pier with a head bruised by cracks from a boom.
Even a short trip on the 31.5 ft leathbhad, Colmcille - especially in the squalls and incessant rain of last week - is enough to make some impression on both sailing and Irish-speaking skills. That's why Plearaca, the south Connemara community development project, intends to continue running courses on the vessel during autumn weekends.
Built by trainees under the direction of Colm O Maoilchiarain in Carna, the Colmcille has been leased by the Plearaca development project from Cumann Huiceiri na Gaillimhe. A very successful series of week-long courses was held on the vessel during July and August, skippered by Micheal Barrett of Lettermullen. He was assisted by a crew panel that included Coilin O hIarnain from Carna, Dara Bailey from Galway and John and Michael Dairbe O Flatharta from Carraroe - all with a good pedigree in plying leathbhaid and pucain in Connemara waters.
Such is the level of interest aroused, in both Connemara and beyond, that the Rosmuc-based development project has found demand exceeds supply of time. Hence the weekend courses, for as long as weather will permit. This week, it will also set sail during evenings as part of the Plearaca Chonamara festival. Kicking off today in Carna, the festival runs until Sunday next with highlights including The Saw Doctors in the Western Ballroom, Beal an Daingin, on Thursday Scleip an Phlearaca, the event's big concert, on Friday in Ostan an Doilin, Carraroe, on Friday, and Rave na Ronnachai, an outdoor concert at Ceol na Mara, Spiddal, next Sunday. Topping the bill at the Rave will be the West Belfast reggae band, Breag.
Throughout the week, the Galway hooker, An Famaire will sail from harbour to harbour through the south Connemara Gaeltacht - weather permitting - with a large group of musicians on board. The group will provide sessions in pubs en route; one of the musicians is the celebrated fiddle player, Sean Smith.
A full programme, tickets and further details on the sailing instruction can be obtained from Meta O Maille, Plearaca's community development worker, at (091)574341 or 574346. The project is also on the Internet at email: plearaca@tinet.ie
As Meta told this reporter during last week's trip, transport - or the lack of it - is one of the biggest factors influencing economic and social life in south Connemara. Nothing can be planned by Plearaca without taking this into account. Similarly, transport is also an issue in a report due to be presented today to the Minister of State for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Mr Eamon O Cuiv. Published by Foram do Phobal Iorras Aithneach - Carna, the study by Eamon O hEanaigh is aimed at tackling chronically high unemployment levels in the Carna/Cill Chiarain area, 50 miles west of Galway city. Currently, the level is running at around 40 per cent, among a population of just under 2,000. The report mirrors another study on the archdiocese of Tuam, published last week, which found that half of the parishes had suffered a population decline in the last five years.
Established two years ago, the forum held a series of seminars this year on areas of potential development, including seaweed cultivation, cultural tourism, salmon farming, shellfish cultivation and marine industry in general. The report outlines a threephase plan from now until 2013 to increase employment in these activities, and identifies immediate opportunities in the provision of services such as a nursing home, the nearest one being about 40 to 50 miles away.
The forum feels that its landbased resource of music, folklore and the Irish language provides a realistic opportunity to develop cultural tourism. However, seed funding will be essential; there is a perception that the area has been neglected by Udaras na Gaeltachta. And the south Connemara district has no Clifden or Roundstone to attract a regular city set of holiday home owners.
Perhaps, given the negative aspects of such new colonialism, it is just as well.
Micheal Barrett with a Galway Hooker at Cill Chiaran pier where he runs sailing courses. Photograph: David Sleator