Press Releases
............PRESS RELEASE.....26th February
2003............
A Bit of 'Whisht' for the launch of Traveller
CD
Today, Minister for Arts, Sports and
Tourism, Mr. John O'Donoghue TD launched 'Whisht' - a cd
collection of Irish Traveller folktales and songs.
The
stories and songs were collected in the late 1960s by US
photographer Alen McWeeney from the Cassidy family, who were
then camped in Ballyfermot. They were selected and transcribed
by Pavee Point Cutlural Heritage Programme.
"Storytelling was very important to Travellers. It was
part of our way of life, our entertainment and our
socialising," said Irish Traveller Winnie Kerrigan, "As I
worked on the cd I was brought back to my childhood and some
happy memories sitting around the campfire."
Kitty
Cassidy, who sang some of the songs on the cd, travelled from
Wexford for the launch. "Her song 'Lovely Willie' ran down
through me like a blade, not so much from the words themselves
but the manner and style of her singing," says Mr. McWeeney of
Kitty's singing.
"The whole Cassidy family were gifted
with the knowledge of such tales and songs. To perform them so
beautifully and uniquely, in their own particular style, with
memories that rarely if ever hesitated, was a remarkable
achievement," adds Mr.McWeeney.
"Irish Travellers have
their own way of telling stores, singing songs and playing
music that has contributed to the overall wealth of Irish
folklore and traditional music. This cd is an acknowledgement
and celebration of that contribution," said Brendan
O'Caoilain, Co-Ordinator of Pavee Point's Traveller Cultural
Heritage Programme.
ENDS.
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