Old Lyme-Four New London Currach Rowers recently took out the team currach for a trip from Old Lyme's Black Hall Outfitters to Great Island to celebrate and support breast cancer survivors.
New London Currach Rowers in a press release identified the "lady rowers" as Old Lyme resident Maureen Plumleigh; her daughter, Karissa Williams, of Westport; Nancy Harney of Westbrook and Pauline Wyatt of Waterford.
Plumleigh and Williams are breast cancer survivors.
The Sept. 6 event was presented by Black Hall Outfitters and the Middlesex Health Cancer Center. The health center on social media said the event drew nearly 60 cancer survivors, family members, friends and staff members for the opportunity to connect, enjoy nature and exercise. The event was free to each survivor and a guest thanks to sponsorship from the Connecticut-based After the Storm organization, which assists in the aftermath of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments.
While the event was billed as a kayaking excursion, Plumleigh said her group rowed a currach to bring attention to Irish rowing as well as breast cancer survivors.
The currach is a hand-built craft of Ireland, originally designed 2,000 years ago for the rough waters of the Irish Seas. The team competes against other member teams of the North American Currach Association.