The Irish Currach Folk by Richard Mac Cullagh , copyright 1992,  ISBN 0-86327-341-6

Page 171   “It should be noted that currachs in general are keelless….. A good currach man takes advantage of the lack of keel. He can quickly turn the currach sideways, and can slide his craft: there is no keel for the sea to grip. The oar has pivot block or bull nailed on, with a hole in the gunwhale. It is much more difficult to lose an oar pivoted this, and a man would be free to bale water out.

Page 173     “…..a currach, being so light, can be launched on harborless shores, without even a boat slip. When it is launched it can be taken over a heavy, steep swell that would swamp a wooden boat. The currach, riding on the surface is much more suitable for taking avoiding action from cross seas; and once it was seen that the modern type of currach had so many advantages for a people so dependent on the sea, it was built in great numbers. A currach crew landing at low tide on a rough beach could carry their craft clear of the ground to above the high water mark; they could not do this with a wooden boat. Finally, the currach would survive in seas that would sink a wooden craft.”

Check out the subtle movements of the currachs used in the Albany Irish Rowers Club at the Regatta on Sept 23rd 2023: