A
currach (, ) is a type of Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which
animal skins or hides were once stretched, though now canvas is more usual. It is sometimes anglicised as "Curragh". The construction and design of the currach are unique to the west coasts of Ireland and
Scotland, with variations in size and shape by region. It is referred to as a
naomhóg (; lit. "little holy one", "little female saint", from
naomh "saint, holy" and the feminine diminutive suffix -óg) in counties
Cork,
Waterford and
Kerry and as a "canoe" in
West Clare. It is related to the Welsh
coracle. The plank-built rowing boat found on the west coast of
Connacht is also called a currach or
curach adhmaid ("wooden currach"), and is built in a style very similar to its canvas-covered relative. A larger version of this is known simply as a
bád iomartha (rowing boat).