Before the Norse brought their longships, the people of the Irish Sea world travelled in curraghs — light boats made from a wooden frame covered in hide. Saint Maughold is said to have arrived at the island in a coracle.

This project guides you through building a small-scale model curragh from willow withies (or garden canes) and canvas or heavy fabric. It won’t cross the Irish Sea, but it should float.

Test it in a stream, a pond, or the bath. If it sinks, you’ve learned something about naval architecture. If it floats, you’ve built something connected to three thousand years of island history.