Opening up spaces in the arts to Traveller participation was a main topic at last night’s How We Gather event at Pavee Point as part of Assembly and Cultúr 2026 – the arts programme for Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Martin Collins, Co Director Pavee Point welcomed people to Pavee Point and pointed out that racism and discrimination was key to how public spaces, including arts and culture institutions, were managed in terms of Travellers and other minority ethnic groups.
Facilitator Kathleen Murphy read from ‘Contentious Spaces’ the novel by Dr Rosaleen McDonagh. Rosaleen spoke about the need for spaces to be open to Travellers on Traveller terms and that Traveller artists should not have to appease the general population.
Singer, storyteller Thomas McCarthy, who has interpreted Traveller songs and recounted Traveller stories around the world, spoke about the varying attitudes to Traveller culture and identity in different countries and the need to call out racism and discrimination.
Joanna Corcoran of Galway Traveller Movement and Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures explained how the festival had faced challenges but had succeeded, over eight years, in establishing itself on its own terms in Galway. Joanna also talked about the need for more Traveller specific spaces.
Visual artist Leanne McDonagh spoke of how young Traveller creatives were not getting access to arts spaces and the need for measures to make this happen. Leanne’s own exhibition, Community and Connection, had succeeded in including young Travellers in developing a response to the exhibition. Their responses have now become part of the overall exhibition experience which will be at Limerick City Gallery from February 2027, she said.
Luke Casserly of How We Gather thanked everyone who supported the programme and Assembly, the installation, is on view at Busárus, Dublin until 22nd November with another number of How We Gather events.