On Ballycastle beach this morning a crew of ancient-style mariners will be checking the weather before setting sail across the Irish Sea to participate in the Sail and Oar Festival on Cumbrae this weekend.

The skin-hulled curragh, the Columcille, was built in 1996 to an ancient blueprint. At 36 feet long, Colmcille is a true ocean-going curragh and so the only concern the crew will have is for favourable winds so that they can use the two gaff rigged sails to sail across in style. If the winds fail them they will need to resort to the 12 oars to get them here.

All being well, Colmcille is expected to arrive on Cumbrae tomorrow afternoon. The island community are planning a welcome that will  include the local pipe band.