KILDARE MAN ON EPIC SEA TRIP

 

 

A KILDAREMAN is a member of the crew of the St. Brendan-a craft made of wood and leather-which left Dingle peninsula on Monday night on an epic 4,000 mile journey across the Atlantic. Arthur “Boots” Mangan of Straffan is one of the five-man crew, and the voyage is aimed at trying to prove that St. Brendan could have beaten Columbas to America by 800 years. As the frail boat left Bandon Creek, Arthur uncorked a bottle of stout from the boat’s store of provisions and drank a toast to the onlookers along the shoreline. The St. Brendan is bound for Boston, and aboard are sufficient foodstuffs and water to last forty days. The mission leader is Tim Severin who said the crew were very confident about making the crossing safely. He spoke warmly of the invaluable help given by John Goodwin (80), The Maharees, in the design of the medieval craft. On hand to see them off were “Boots” Mangan’s parents, Frank and Mrs. Mangan, of Straffan. The family have a holiday home on Valentia Island. Said Mr. Frank Mangan, when asked about his son’s involvement in the voyage, a most hazardous undertaking: “If this is what he wants to do, let him do it”. The St. Brendan is equipped only with the kind of gear that the Saint and the monks who accompanied him took on their sea voyage, with the exception of a few modern aids, including a radio transmitter.