The gandelow is a traditional wooden fishing boat used on the River Shannon on the west coast of Ireland. The boat has been in use by fishing communities since at least the 17th century, mostly for catching salmon and cutting reeds. The gandelow is a flat-bottomed boat about 7 metres long constructed by local craftsmen following traditional designs. It has recently experienced a revival and is now in use for sport, exercise and recreational fishing.
Traditional gandelow fishing boats at Ballydehob in Ireland, 2014
Gandelow under construction at the Ilen School and Network for Wooden Boat Building, 2014
A simple square sail on a small gandelow
A simple calico standing lugsail on a small gandelow
The River Shannon is the major river on the island of Ireland, and at 360 km in length, is the longest river in the British Isles. It drains the Shannon River Basin, which has an area of 16,900 km2 (6,525 sq mi), – approximately one fifth of the area of Ireland.
River Shannon from Drumsna bridge, County Leitrim
The Shannon Pot, the traditional source of the river
Upper Shannon catchment (with Shannon source, Owenmore River and Boyle River Basin)
River Shannon at Clonmacnoise, County Offaly
