Cú Lir
The Concept
The concept behind Cú Lir project is that a small research vessel can be very capable as well as being very safe, technologically advanced, low carbon and having significant endurance.
Cú Lir is a project of Orca Research Ltd, a private Irish company. Its name was
suggested by Tomás Ó hAodha, an Irish language scholar from south west Ireland. It is derived from ancient Irish mythology and in one sense means ‘champion of the sea’, in another the ‘protective hound of the sea god Lir’.
The Concept
The concept behind Cú Lir project is that a small research vessel can be very capable as well as being very safe, technologically advanced, low carbon and having significant endurance.
Cú Lir is a project of Orca Research Ltd, a private Irish company. Its name was suggested by Tomás Ó hAodha, an Irish language scholar from south west Ireland. It is derived from ancient Irish mythology and in one sense means ‘champion of the sea’, in another the ‘protective hound of the sea god Lir’.
The Design
The Cú Lir design is by yacht designer Ed Joy of Maine and his design was converted to a full 3D Rhino model and further developed by Anthony O’Reilly of Derry Connell Marine of Schull, Co. Cork in conjunction with the hull constructors KM Yachts of Makkum NL. This has resulted in further improvements to an already excellent design.
Cú Lir is now in the final stages of outfitting; we envisage launch and dock/sea trials towards the end of Q3, 2023.
Cú Lir will carry high capability features and equipment for the size of vessel including:
- Ice strengthened aluminium hull
- Redundancy in propulsion – sail, diesel, diesel/electric
- Swing centreboard and rudder for safety in poorly charted waters
- 1 tonne AHC winch
- 600v AC/DC electric supply for light work class ROV operations
- Areas 1-4 GMDSS
- Dive lift
- Ample exterior and interior lab space
- For a fuller list (which is a work in progress) see here >>
Aside from deep sea activities, isotope-based studies and fisheries-related trawling work, she will be capable of most of the tasks that a much larger research vessel might be capable of. She will carry a highly qualified crew of two and a science party of up to eight.
The Cú Lir design is by yacht designer Ed Joy of Maine and his design was converted to a full 3D Rhino model and further developed by Anthony O’Reilly of Derry Connell Marine of Schull, Co. Cork in conjunction with the hull constructors KM Yachts of Makkum NL. This has resulted in further improvements to an already excellent design.
Cú Lir is now in the final stages of outfitting; we envisage launch and dock/sea trials towards the end of Q3, 2023.
Cú Lir will carry high capability features and equipment for the size of vessel including:
- Ice strengthened aluminium hull
- Redundancy in propulsion – sail, diesel, diesel/electric
- Swing centreboard and rudder for safety in poorly charted waters
- 1 tonne AHC winch
- 600v AC/DC electric supply for light work class ROV operations
- Areas 1-4 GMDSS
- Dive lift
- Ample exterior and interior lab space
- For a fuller list (which is a work in progress) see here >>
Aside from deep sea activities, isotope-based studies and fisheries-related trawling work, she will be capable of most of the tasks that a much larger research vessel might be capable of. She will carry a highly qualified crew of two and a science party of up to eight.
Cú Lir will offer a capable and comfortable platform for marine and coastal research, particularly in remote areas at high latitudes. She will be available to research institutes and others for charter.
For Cú Lir’s maiden voyage in Q2/3 2023 a research cruise is planned from Ireland to Norway and Svalbard. In conjunction with Ireland’s Atlantic Technological University, we invite scientific proposals from researchers who work along this route to join us on this voyage and use the vessel for what she is designed. We particularly invite proposals from early career scientists. Currently candidate projects focus on microplastics and whale acoustics. All proposals will be evaluated principally in terms of the quality of the science. There is no restriction on the type of science that will be acceptable and will be no charge for the use of Cú Lir on her maiden voyage. For enquiries and further information, please email us at RV@CuLir.ie
Cú Lir will offer a capable and comfortable platform for marine and coastal research, particularly in remote areas at high latitudes. She will be available to research institutes and others for charter.
For Cú Lir’s maiden voyage in Q2/3 2023 a research cruise is planned from Ireland to Norway and Svalbard. In conjunction with Ireland’s Atlantic Technological University, we invite scientific proposals from researchers who work along this route to join us on this voyage and use the vessel for what she is designed. We particularly invite proposals from early career scientists. Currently candidate projects focus on microplastics and whale acoustics. All proposals will be evaluated principally in terms of the quality of the science. There is no restriction on the type of science that will be acceptable and will be no charge for the use of Cú Lir on her maiden voyage. For enquiries and further information, please email us at RV@CuLir.ie