(This article is produced by our Gaeltacht team. You can read an English version of this text below) 

IS BÁD ÉADROM snámhach é an curach agus baineadh úsáid as an mbád seo chun feamainne a bhaint ón bhfarraige, daoine a aistriú agus gas a luaidh.

Ní amháin sin, úsáideadh na curacha le haghaidh spóirt chomh maith, nuair a bailíodh daoine le chéile do féilte cosúil leis an Tóstal.

Ba fhéile í an Tóstal a rinne céiliúradh ar chultúr na hÉireann agus b’í aidhm an Tóstal ná daoine a mhealladh go hÉireann i rith na seasúir sheachbhuaice.

Chun níos mó a fháil amach faoi thraidisiún rása na curaí, d’fhreastail The Journal ar Thóstal na Gaillimhe, a d’eagraigh Club Seoltóireachta Húicéirí na Gaillimhe ag deireadh mí Bhealtaine.

Labhair muid le Maidhc Hoibcín, iomaire a bhí ag glacadh páirt sna rásaí faoin spórt agus an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an traidisiún seo a choinneáil beo.

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THE CURACH IS a light and buoyant boat that was traditionally used for harvesting seaweed, transporting people and carrying crops.

Curachs were also used for sport, with people gathering for festivals such as An Tóstal, which was a celebration of Irish culture in the 1950s that aimed to draw tourists to Ireland during quiter seasons.

To learn more about the curach racing tradition, The Journal attended a modern-day Tóstal held in Galway, which was organised by the Galway Hookers Sailing Club at the end of May.

We spoke to Maidhc Hoibcín, a competitor taking part in the races about the sport and the importance of keeping the tradition alive.

Tá tacaíocht á fháil ag Beartas Gaeltachta The Journal ón Scéim Tuairiscithe ar Dhaonlathas Áitiúil