To coincide with the 14th centenary of the death of St Colmcille, a specially built commemoration currach sailed from the Donegal mainland on its maiden trip to Tory Island, 11 miles out in the Atlantic, at the weekend.
The 30 ft boat, with a crew of 12, is a replica of the currach used by St Colmcille in his missionary travels. Later this year, it is scheduled to sail from Derry to Iona, off the north Scottish coast, following the route taken by the saint and his missionaries in the 10th century.
The weekend crossing was organised by the Causeway Coast maritime and heritage group, Co Antrim. Almost all of Tory's 150 inhabitants, as well as many visitors from the mainland and Scotland, greeted the vessel on its arrival.