Traveller Arts and Culture Projects

This collection of Traveller projects aims to document the significant body of work in the area of Traveller arts and culture around the country, to facilitate networking and information sharing and also to inspire further work in this area.
The projects featured in this collection showcase Traveller arts and culture since 2000.   These projects were either carried out wholly by Travellers or in collaboration with Travellers.
If you know of Traveller arts and culture projects not already included please complete this form and either email to arts@pavee.ie or post to Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre, 46 Charles Street Great, Dublin D01XC63.  Or you can ring us at (01) 8780255 and ask for the Arts and Culture team.

  • YEAR

  • TYPE OF ARTS:

  • COUNTY:

  • ARTISTS

  • FUNDERS

  • ORGANISATION:

Rings by Rosaleen McDonagh

Year: 2010

County:

Organised by: Fishamble Theatre Company

‘Rings’ a play by Rosaleen McDonagh focusing on the experiences of a deaf Traveller woman was presented originally as a staged reading as part of Turning Point: A Reading of Four Short Plays by Writers With Disabilities by Fishamble; The New Play Company and Arts & Disability Ireland on 31 March 2010.  Corrib Theatre Company in Portland Oregon, USA, produced ‘Rings’ in November, 2020

Funder: Arts & Disability Ireland

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Crowning Glory

Year: 2024

County: Dublin

Organised by: RTE

A reading from the essay 'Crowning Glory' from the book 'Unsettled' read by Kathleen Lawrence on RTE Radio One Sunday Miscellany.

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

I Am Not Your Knacker

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: RTE

A radio recital on Drama on One by three Travellers of the poem 'I Am Not Your Knacker' by  Rosaleen McDonagh that explores themes of racism, identity, disability and marginalization, channeling the literary activism of James Baldwin, and her own.

Artists: Christine Collins, Artists: John Connors, Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

Songs and Stories with Trish Reilly and Thomas McCarthy

Year: 2024

County: Dublin

Organised by: St. Patrick's Festival

Trish Reilly and Thomas McCarthy,  share traditional and original works in an event that transcends the borders between the past, the present, and the future.  Both perform a variety of traditional Traveler and original works, punctuated by stories that honour their shared cultural traditions.

Funder: St Patrick's Festival

Artists: Thomas McCarthy, Artists: Trish Reilly

KIN

Year: 2024

County: National

Organised by: Salmon Poetry

KIN is a diverse anthology of poetry and prose writings and artworks by roughly fifty women writers and artists from Romani, Traveller and Nomadic Communities with an editorial note by Raine Geoghegan and an introduction by Dr Rosaleen McDonagh.

Artists: Chrissie Donoghue Ward, Artists: Helen Hutchinson, Artists: Julie OLeary, Artists: Mary Foley Olupona, Artists: Nora Corcoran, Artists: Samantha Joyce, Artists: Winnie Ward

Link to project →

Sicar

Year: 2024

County: Dublin

Organised by:

Short film written & directed by Ethan Donoghue about three brothers who reunite for their fathers funeral after becoming estranged.

Artists: Ethan Donoghue, Artists: John Connors, Artists: Joshua Donoghue

Pile Up

Year: 2022

County: Dublin

Organised by: Dead On Productions

A young man who can't come to terms with a traumatic event from his past, he allows the guilt and shame of that event to wash over him as it crumbles every close relationship in his life. Directed By Ethan Donoghue and Written by Joshua Donoghue.

Artists: Ethan Donoghue

The Dead House

Year: 2023

County: Galway

Organised by:

Comedian and writer Martin Warde’s debut play is a powerful and moving dark comedy that explores complex themes of family, tradition, and self- acceptance. Set in the house of the deceased, the play is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding one’s voice and identity. The Play has been at Kilkenny Arts Festival August 2024. Also Galway Theatre Festival May 2024 And has been at the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Artists: Martin Beanz Warde

Street Wisdom of Lost Souls

Year: 2023

County: Clare

Organised by:

Steo Wall's second album released in 2023, Street Wisdom of Lost Souls  features 10 songs including Glory Days for which Steo Wall was nominated for a RTE Radio One Folk Award.

Artists: Steo Wall

Link to project →

Where I’m From

Year: 2018

County: Clare

Organised by:

Steo Wall's first album 11 debut songs was released in 2018.  It's a mix of spoken word and folk inspired melodies all woven to an acoustic groove and features other folk singers Damien Dempsey, Luka Bloom and Davy Spillane.

Artists: Steo Wall

Link to project →

Shes Not Mine

Year: 2012

County: Dublin

Organised by: RTE

She's Not Mine By Rosaleen McDonagh

The story of a mother and the daughter she entrusted to an institution.  This is a play for radio that was broadcast on RTE Radio One. 

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

Mainstream

Year: 2016

County: Dublin

Organised by: Fishamble Theatre Company, Project Arts Centre

We share a history, we share a memory and they both share my heart. Written by ROSALEEN McDONAGH Directed by JIM CULLETON Set Design by NIAMH LUNNY Lighting Design by SARAH JANE SHIELS Sound Design by DENIS CLOHESSY Video Design by NEIL O’DRISCOLL Cast  - John Connors, Neili Conroy, Gráinne Hallahan, Donal Toolan

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

Walls & Windows

Year: 2021

County: Dublin

Organised by: Abbey Theatre

A play from Rosaleen McDonagh, this tender, complex and beautiful love story examines how external circumstances pull us apart, when all we really want is to be together. Also live streamed from the Abbey Theatre.

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

Heritage Week Cork 2024

Year: 2024

County: Cork

Organised by: Cork City Council, Cork Traveller Women's Network, Heritage Council

A conversation with Traveller women and oral historian James Furey.  Cork Public Museum has a full barrel top wagon along with photos and short films celebrating Traveller culture and heritage.

Funder: Heritage Council

Link to project →

Traveller Event at Electric Picnic

Year: 2024

County: Laois

Organised by: Creative Ireland

With the help of Martin Beanz Warde, Creative Ireland and Naoise Nunn from Minefield, Irish Travellers took to different stages at Electric Picnic.

Funder: Creative Ireland

Artists: Martin Beanz Warde

Link to project →

Threading Needles, Telling Stories Exhibition

Year: 2024

County: Offaly

Organised by: Tullamore Library

“Threading Needles, Telling Stories” is an exhibition of 14 three-dimensional hand-sewn dolls made by the women of the Chatters and Matters Tullamore Traveller's Women's Shed.  The project was in collaboration with artist and doll maker Teresa Doyle.   The exhibition was held at Tullamore library in August 2024.

Funder: Creative Ireland

Artists: Teresa Doyle

Link to project →

Pavee Lackeen

Year: 2005

County: Dublin

Organised by:

An intimate portrait of Winnie, a resilient and spirited young girl, and her family who are Irish Travellers, living on the side of the road in an industrialised area of Dublin. It follows Winnie through several weeks of her life, as she struggles with her identity as a young Traveller girl in contemporary Ireland.  At the 2005 IFTA Awards, Director Perry Ogden won Breakthrough Talent and Winnie Maughan was nominated for Best Actress in a Feature Film.  The film was also nominated and a winner at a variety of film festivals.

Funder: An Lár Films, Funder: Irish Film Board

Artists: Rose Maughan, Artists: Rosie Maughan, Artists: Winnie Maughan

Link to project →

Unseen Homelessness

Year: 2022

County: Dublin

Organised by: Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

Pavee Point Men's Health Team led out on this creative writing project with Traveller men experiencing homelessness.  Some were in emergency accommodation at the time and some were living in overcrowded accommodation on sites.   Working with poet Geoff Finan, the men came to a better understanding of their situation, its impact on them and their community.

Funder: North West Area Partnership

Artists: Geoff Finan

Link to project →

Bafushia

Year: 2024

County: Sligo

Organised by: Cairde Arts Festival, Sligo Traveller Support Group

The exhibition consists of contemporary artists who share heritage within the Travelling community. What is important about this selection of artists however is the relevance and criticality of the work that they make. A criticality that is simultaneously rooted in personal experience, but also advocates for the sharing of diverse knowledge, experience and reflection.

Funder: Arts Council

Artists: Chloe Mcdonagh, Artists: Dave McDonagh, Artists: Francesca Hutchinson, Artists: Oein de Bharduin, Artists: Phien O’Phien, Artists: Séamus Nolan, Artists: Tommy Rhattigan

Link to project →

Kuti Gris by Willzee

Year: 2022

County: Limerick

Organised by:

An 11 song EP  by Willzee including the tracks Eclipse, Tell Me Tell Me, I See Feens produced by Welcome to the New World.

Artists: Willzee

Link to project →

It’s A Cultural Thing, Or Is It?

Year: 2005

County: Dublin

Organised by: Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group, The Traveller Wagon Wheel Theatre

In ‘It's a cultural thing ... or is it?, Writer and actor Michael Collins brings the audience on a cross-generational journey, exploring Traveller culture from various perspectives.

Artists: Michael Collins

Link to project →

Running out of Road

Year: 2018

County: Dublin

Organised by: Traveller Ethnicity Celebration

Reading performed at the Traveller Ethnicity Celebration 2018

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh, Artists: Thomas Collins

What I’ll Always Be

Year: 2024

County: Laois

Organised by: Laois and Offaly Education, Laois Travellers Action Group

A song and video produced featuring Tony and Martin with Laois Traveller Action Group as part of the Music Generation Laois Summer School.  Lyrics and facilitation by Frank McCarthy.

Funder: Arts Council, Funder: Creative Ireland, Funder: Music Generation Ireland

Artists: Frank McCarthy

Link to project →

Slooky Dogs

Year: 2024

County: Laois

Organised by: Laois and Offaly Education, Training Board Local Creative Youth Partnership

Music, song and video performed by Junior, Sierra, Martin and Tony, Music Generation Laois Summer School of Rock and Pop 2023 in association with Laois Traveller Action Group. Lyrics and facilitation by Frank McCarthy

Funder: Arts Council, Funder: Music Generation Ireland

Artists: Frank McCarthy

Link to project →

Bealtaine fest

Year: 2023

County: Wexford

Organised by: Bealtaine Festival, Wexford Local Development

Artists: Joanne Donohoe

Link to project →

Traveller Pride Quilt

Year: 2019

County: Cork

Organised by: Spring Lane Traveller Women’s Group

Traveller pride art quilt celebrating Traveller horse tradition on permanent display in CUH Main Foyer. A collaboration with Arts & Health Programme at Cork University Hospital.

Artists: Mary Palmer

Link to project →

Punch Paint

Year: 2024

County: Limerick

Organised by: Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board Youth Group, Limerick Youth Service, Limerick Youth Service: Diversity Youth Group, The Gaff

During the summer months of 2023, a group of boys participated in the first ever Paint Punch Programme at St. Mary's Boys National School in Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick

Artists: Frank McCarthy

Link to project →

Sicar

Year: 2024

County: Dublin

Organised by: Dead On Productions

In a Traveller camp overlooking a neglected council estate, three brothers who went their separate ways are forced to reunite for their father’s funeral. The death of their father forces them to rekindle their relationships.

Funder: Arts Council

Artists: & Others, Artists: John Connors

Hereditas Residency Cairde Sligo Arts Festival

Year: 2024

County: Sligo

Organised by: Cairde Festival Sligo

In partnership with The Model, Visual Artist Francesca Hutchinson is in residence for the period of two weeks where she will facilitate an art camp for teenagers in The Model’s Education Room.

Funder: Arts Council

Artists: Francesca Hutchinson, Artists: Séamus Nolan

Link to project →

The Slug & The Snail and other Traveller tales

Year: 2024

County: Sligo

Organised by:

Award-winning author Oein De Bhairduin illustrated a short story about self-acceptance and pride from a member of the Irish Traveller nomadic ethnic minority, drawn from the Irish Traveller oral storytelling tradition, DeBhairduin’s tale, The Slug & the Snail, is a gentle allegory about difference, self-acceptance and different ways of seeing the world.

Artists: Oein de Bharduin

Link to project →

Libraries & Liberties

Year: 2024

County: Sligo

Organised by: Cairde Arts Festival

The tormented protagonist, James, cradles a genuine desire to ignite the library.  The resilient librarian Helen stands sentinel over knowledge, freedom, and enlightenment. Her apprehension of James’ demand for book censorship becomes pivotal in this unfolding drama.

Funder: Arts Council

Artists: Aisling Mannion, Artists: Joshua Donoghue, Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

The Wandering Gaze / An Misló Swuner

Year: 2024

County: Sligo

Organised by: Sligo Traveller Support Group

The Wandering Gaze presents a collection of images relative to Travelling people in the work of Jack Butler Yeats. Highlighting Yeats’ keen observations of diversity amongst nomadic groups within Irish society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the exhibition includes sketchbook drawings, illustrated prints, watercolour and oil paintings spanning the breath of his career

Artworks are included from the Niland Collection the National Gallery of Ireland, Limerick City Gallery of Art, The Hugh Lane Gallery, The Crawford Museum, IMMA, University of Galway, and private collections.

Funder: Arts Council

Artists: Jack Butler Yeats, Artists: Oein de Bharduin, Artists: Séamus Nolan

Link to project →

Curious Gardens

Year: 2021

County: Laois

Organised by: Emperor’s Robes, Office of Public Works, Schweppe Curtis Nunn

A one-day festival of tunes, chats and laughs in the walled gardens of Doneraile Estate which featured a conversation with Traveller activists Mags Casey, Martin Collins and AnneMarie Quilligan and also featured Traveller singers.

Funder: Department of Culture

Artists: David McDonagh, Artists: Kathleen Keenan, Artists: Martin Collins, Artists: Oein de Bharduin, Artists: Sharyn Ward, Artists: Steo Wall, Artists: Thomas McCarthy, Artists: Trish Reilly, Artists: Willzee

Link to project →

Wheel Of Dreams

Year: 2023

County: Cork

Organised by: West Cork Travellers

It is a documentary short that follows the Stronger Together Collective, a group of nine girls from the West Cork Traveller community as they explore their creative talents, passions and ambitions.

Funder: Community Foundation Ireland

Artists: Alicia Williamson, Artists: Britney Mongans, Artists: Elizabeth Burke, Artists: Helena McCarthy, Artists: Jessie McCarthy Adair, Artists: Karima Amhadi, Artists: Lavie Olupona, Artists: Rosie McCarthy Adair, Artists: Theresa McCarthy, Artists: Toma McCullim

Link to project →

The Pockets Project

Year: 2023

County: Galway

Organised by: Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board, Galway Rural Development, Galway Traveller Movement, National Gallery of Ireland

Devised and facilitated by Helen Monaghan, this project was rooted in creative sewing and explored the historical textiles of Lavinia Fontana’s renaissance world. Taking place in two education centres in Ballygar and Athenry, Co. Galway, The Pockets Project was a unique blend of art historical learning, practical and sustainable sewing techniques and community work. Participating groups, including women from both Traveller and settled communities, learned about the life and work of Lavinia Fontana, and gained new sewing skills while reviving the traditional techniques and customs of the Traveller heritage of beady pockets

Funder: National Gallery Of Ireland

Artists: Helen Monaghan

Link to project →

The Bigger Picture

Year: 2024

County: Offaly

Organised by: Offaly Traveller Movement

The Bigger Picture is a photographic project undertaken by Offaly Traveller Movement Youth Project with photographer Eva Donlon. The focus was to develop a series of photographs to challenge stereotypes, and to showcase the pictures to the wider community.

Funder: UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Day Committee

Artists: Eva Donlon

Link to project →

Beginning of the Journey

Year: 2022

County: Dublin

Organised by: Mary Mc Productions

Acting workshops with two live shows from May to August 2022 at the Carmeline Centre, Dublin

In collaboration with Director Sian Ni Mhuirí, Jules McDonagh and Maureen Hughes

Minceiri Cabaret Show

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: Mary Mc Productions

Workshops with Live Shows on 29 and 30 September at the Studio Lexicon Dun Laoghaire

Funder: Festival of Inclusion Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown

Link to project →

Innocent Boy

Year: 2020

County: Dublin

Organised by: Clusterfox Films

A short film about a young deaf Traveller boy and his family

Artists: John Connors, Artists: Johnny Collins, Artists: Kayleigh Mcdonagh, Artists: Thomas Connors

Link to project →

Being Put Back Together

Year: 2023

County: Galway

Organised by: Misleor Bursary

A short documentary

Funder: Misleor Bursary

Artists: David McDonagh

Link to project →

Dreamer

Year: 2021

County: Galway

Organised by: Miselor Short Documentary Grant

Misleor Bursary Scheme is managed by Misleor and Ardan with GTM, Galway City of Film, The Dept of Culture, Galway City Council and Galway County Council

Funder: Misleor Bursary

Artists: David McDonagh

Smithfield Fleadh Pecker Dunne

Year: 2023, 2024

County: Dublin

Organised by: Posterfish Promotions

Celebration of Pecker Dunne's life with music

Funder: Dublin City Council

Artists: Paddy Keenan, Artists: Sharyn Ward, Artists: Stephen Dunne, Artists: Trish Reilly

A Celebration of Traveller Music Cork

Year: 2016

County: Cork

Organised by: Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group, Cork Traveller Visibility Group, Posterfish Promotions

Artists: Bernie Mcdonagh, Artists: Kate Theasby, Artists: Ron Kavana, Artists: Stephen Pecker Dunne, Artists: Trish Nolan

Link to project →

Creative Places Darndale

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: Creative Places Darndale

Two portraits one of John Connors and one of Chrissie Ward at the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre

Artists: Immanuel Godson

Link to project →

Ireland’s Call

Year: 2019

County: Dublin

Organised by: Dublin Fringe, Irish Theatre Institute

One man theatre show by John Connors.

Artists: John Connors

Link to project →

The Travellers

Year: 2016

County: National

Organised by: RTE

Artists: John Connors

Link to project →

Endless Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Year: 2020

County: National

Organised by: Clusterfox Films

Artists: John Connors

Link to project →

Cardboard Gangsters

Year: 2017

County: National

Organised by: Clusterfox Films

A group of young Cardboard Gangsters attempt to gain control of the drug trade in Darndale, chasing the glorified lifestyle of money, power and sex.  Written by John Connors and Mark O'Connor. Directed by Mark O'Connor.

Artists: John Connors

Link to project →

Identity Box Workshop

Year: 2022

County: Tipperary

Organised by: Limerick School of Art and Design Technical University on the Shannon, Tipperary Rural Traveller Project

Francesca Hutchinson facilitated a four-day art workshop for Traveller children living in Cashel. The children created ‘identity boxes’ which were showcased on Culture Night 2022 in our Thurles Campus. The video shows the children working on their identity boxes and speaking about what their identity means to them.

Culture Night 2022

Artists: Francesca Hutchinson

Link to project →

The Baby Doll Project

Year: 2002

County: Dublin

Organised by: Project Arts Centre

A diva with a disability. Fluff, flare and attitude, the Baby Doll Project is a comical piece with a dark and pointed history.

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

The Slug and the Snail

Year: 2023

County: National

Organised by: Little Island, Skein Press

Drawn from the Irish Traveller storytelling tradition this tale is a gentle allegory about identity, self-acceptance and different ways of seeing the world. Written by Oein DeBhairduin illustrated by Olya Anima.

Artists: Oein de Bharduin

Link to project →

Misleor Festival of Nomadic Cultures

Year: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

County: Galway

Organised by:

Programme of music, film, theatre and visual art

Link to project →

Sticks and Stones Short Documentary

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: American Embassy, Galway Film Fleadh, National Film School IADT, Screen Ireland

This project was led by Vanessa Gildea, head of the National Film School and Mary McDonagh of Mary Mc Productions.  Sticks & Stones – is described as an inside view to an outsiders world. Directors Tammy McDonagh, Amy Murphy, Shóna O’Sullivan, Martin Mahon and Producers Tom McDonagh & Shane Fitzgerald share their experiences of discrimination and the power of language.  The films were screened at the Galway Film Fleadh. 

Artists: Martin Mahon

Link to project →

Circus Workshops

Year: 2024

County: Galway

Organised by: Brubhride Arts Academy Tuam

A series of workshops for young people aged 5 - 17 years to try different circus skills

Funder: Galway Community Circus, Funder: Galway County Council

Link to project →

Beady Pocket Project Exhibition

Year: 2023

County: Galway

Organised by: Brubhride Arts Academy Tuam

Artist Martina Passman worked with a group of Traveller women alongside a group of women from the majority population to explore the beady pocket. The pockets were hand stitched and then put on public display at Tuam library from 9th Dec 2023 to 11 January 2024.

Artists: Martina Passman

Link to project →

It Doesn’t Matter

Year: 2021

County: Dublin

Organised by: Exchange House

A collaboration between a group of Travellers from Ballyfermot, Finglas and Coolock, Mental Health Services - Exchange House Ireland & Turn 2 Me, film producer Pat Comer of Comer Productions and performance artist & acting coach Sian Ní Mhuirí of Super Paua.

This artistic film with a social purpose aims to raise awareness about suicide in the Traveller Community, end the stigma associated with suicide and promote mental health services equipped to help.

Funder: Office for Suicide Prevention

Artists: Johnpaul Collins, Artists: Mary McDonagh

Link to project →

This Giant Tent

Year: 2018

County: Mayo

Organised by: Involve Youth Project Ballina, Kids Own Publishing, National Museum of Ireland, Scoil Iosa

Book Project

Link to project →

This Giant Tent

Year: 2023

County: Mayo

Organised by: Involve Youth Project Ballina, Kids Own Publishing, National Museum of Ireland, Scoil Iosa

“This important project is about exploring and sharing our connections through the medium of creativity, capturing these stories which will then be shared with generations in the future.”

‘Celebrating our Connections’, a series of workshops have taken place throughout the first half of 2023 in Scoil Íosa

Funder: Bank of Ireland Begin Together Fund, Funder: Mayo County Council

Artists: Alice Dixon

Link to project →

Hereditas Standing Ground

Year: 2023

County: Sligo

Organised by: Cairde Arts Festival

An exhibition of stopping places, camps and halting sites used by Travellers in Sligo. The locations have been identified within historic documentation, newspaper archives and through gathering local knowledge and community history of the Travelling people in Sligo.

Funder: Arts Council, Funder: Sport and Media, Funder: Wexford Local Development Agency

Artists: Séamus Nolan

Link to project →

Copper Skills Workshop

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group

Traveller Mental Health Copper art Workshops for young Traveller men and women in the area supported by Youth Mental Health Co-ordinator | HSE Mental Health Services Dublin North City & County | Email: irene.griffin1@hse.ie Mobile: 087-1880736 Ph: 01-7784166. Doreen Carpenter. Mental Health Service Coordinator for /with Travellers,

Funder: HSE

Link to project →

Pavee Peck

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: Balbriggan Travellers, Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre, St. Margaret's Travellers Community Association, Trav Act

A Traveller cookbook with traditional cooking recipes, information on cures, reference to CANT with literacy aids developed by older Traveller women in conjunction with younger Traveller women

Funder: Adult Literacy for Life, Funder: City Of Dublin Adult Education, Funder: SOLAS

Link to project →

Pavee Beoirs Whiden

Year: 2023

County: Donegal

Organised by: Donegal Traveller Project

A community arts project created by Traveller women and girls over a 12-week journey which embeds the message of equality, inclusion and justice and consists of 6 pieces that focus on Traveller women's experiences using buttons, medals and brooches which is a reference to the Beady Pocket

Funder: HSE Social Inclusion, Funder: Invole Donegal, Funder: National Traveller Partnership, Funder: North West Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, Funder: Pavee Point Gender Equality, Funder: Tulsa

Link to project →

The Secret Singers

Year: 2023

County: Dublin, Kilkenny

Organised by: Axis Ballymun

Concert at Ballymun Axis including Caitlin Donovan - Caitlin Donovan Irish Traveller Caitlin Donovan was born in Manchester and raised in Carlow and Kilkenny. She was steeped in the rich singing tradition of the Traveller Community from a young age. She learned her craft from her great grandmother, Josie Delaney and from her grandmother Bridget Donovan. This cross-generational family of singers, honour great life events of their people – singing together at weddings, christenings and funerals.  

Funder: Arts Council, Funder: Dublin City Council

Artists: Caitlin Donovan

Link to project →

TravFest

Year: 2022

County: Limerick

Organised by:

Music Artist, WILLZEE curated a live performance in Belltable as part of the November festival, TravFest. This featured an eclectic mix of artists from proud Traveller, folk-rapper Steo Wall and the ever growing popular performer, Sharyn Ward. WILLZEE also introduced some of the newer emerging voices from Limerick’s rap scene.

Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity

Artists: Sharyn Ward, Artists: Steo Wall, Artists: Willzee

Link to project →

You Looking at Me – Short Doc 3 mins

Year: 2022

County: Dublin

Organised by: Exchange House

You Looking at Me is the work of Travellers from Ballyfermot, Finglas and Coolock, Mental Health Services - Exchange House Ireland & Turn 2 Me, film producer Pat Comer of Comer Productions and performance artist & acting coach Sian Ní Mhuirí of Super Paua.

Link to project →

John Boy

Year: 2021

County: Dublin

Organised by: Exchange House

John Boy is the work of Travellers from Ballyfermot, Finglas and Coolock, Mental Health Services - Exchange House Ireland & Turn 2 Me, film producer Pat Comer of Comer Productions and performance artist & acting coach Sian Ní Mhuirí of Super Paua.

Funder: Office for Suicide Prevention

Artists: Davey Collins, Artists: Johnpaul Collins, Artists: Mary McDonagh

Link to project →

Weave by Oein de Bharduin and Deirdre Sullivan

Year: 2022

County: National

Organised by: Skein Press

Encompassing eight stories inspired by the eight festivals in the wheel of the year. Designed by artist and bookbinder Éilís Murphy in a tête-bêche format, this unique and tactile book is illustrated by Yingge Xu and written by Deidre Sullivan and Oein deBharduin.

Artists: Oein de Bharduin

Link to project →

Why the Moon Travels by Oein de Bharduin

Year: 2020

County: National

Organised by: Skein Press

collection of twenty tales rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community illustrated by Leanne McDonagh

Artists: Leanne McDonagh, Artists: Oein de Bharduin

Link to project →

Jauling the Green Tobar

Year: 2017

County: National

Organised by:

Made with with Cornish gypsy Viv Legg

Artists: Thomas McCarthy, Artists: Viv Legg

Link to project →

Songs of the Irish Travellers

Year: 2007

County: National

Organised by: Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

A re-release of of cassette and book by the European Ethnic Oral Traditions (1983) and collected by Tom Munnelly.

Whisht

Year: 2002

County: National

Organised by: Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

Stories and songs from Johnny Cassidy and Kitty Cassidy Andy Cassidy recorded by Alen MacWeeney 1967 at Labre Park, Ballyfermot, Dubln

Link to project →

Travellers and Fellow Travellers Keeper of the Flames

Year: 2005

County: National

Organised by: Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

15 recordings from 1950s to 2005 - 20th anniversary of PP

Artists: Christy Dunne, Artists: Finbar Furey, Artists: John Doherty, Artists: John Rooney, Artists: Mary Frances Keenan, Artists: Mickey Dunne, Artists: Paddy Keenan, Artists: Pecker Dunne, Artists: The Rainey brothers

Link to project →

Ireland Shed a Tear

Year: 2016

County: National

Organised by:

A two-hander play, performed by Michael Collins and his 10-year-old son, Johnny. The pair use songs and poetry to tell the story of a family who fear eviction in the wake of the Carrickmines fire.

Artists: Michael Collins

Link to project →

Magpies on the Pylon

Year: 2013

County: National

Organised by: Kerry Travellers, Meath Traveller Work Shop, New Theatre Solstice Arts Centre

After his son’s death, Jim has become isolated from other family members and is misusing alcohol. The audience accompanies Jim on an emotional roller-coaster ride as he articulates loving memories of his son, his fears for the well-being of his other three children, the turmoil that has developed in his relationship with his wife, his anger at God, and his agonising questions about whether there was something he could have done to prevent his son’s death.

Artists: Michael Collins

Unsettled

Year: 2021

County: National

Organised by: Skein Press

A collection of essays published by Skein Press

Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

Link to project →

A Celebration of Traveller Music

Year: 2014

County: Dublin, Kerry

Organised by: Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group, Posterfish Promotions

5 Gigs and open mic at Cobblestone Pub Smithfield 2gigs in Kerry

Artists: Bridget Doyle, Artists: Finbar Furey, Artists: John Connors, Artists: Johnny Hand, Artists: Martin Anthony Collins, Artists: Paddy Collins, Artists: Selina Oleary, Artists: Thomas McCarthy

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Traveller Oral Traditions – Music & Poetry

Year: 2022

County: Dublin

Organised by: Creative Places Darndale, International Literature Festival Dublin

Gifted performers from the Travelling Community as they share the music, poetry, and stories that resonate within their cultural heritage.

Artists: Chrissy Donoghue Ward, Artists: David Collins, Artists: Kathleen Keenan

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Traveller Arts & Culture Made in Darndale Festival

Year: 2022

County: Dublin

Organised by: Creative Places Darndale

From tinsmithing demonstrations and storytelling, to music and folklore, immerse yourself in Traveller culture.

Artists: Chrissy Donoghue Ward, Artists: James Collins, Artists: Sharyn Ward, Artists: Tom McDonnell, Artists: Trish Reilly

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Batic Workshop Bealtaine Festival

Year: 2023

County: Wexford

Organised by: Bealtaine Festival

Batik workshop by Clonroche Traveller Women's Group around the theme of biodiversity that ran as part of the Bealtaine Festiaval. 

Funder: Calmast SETU'S STEM Engagement Centre, Funder: Science Foundation Ireland, Funder: Wexford Local Development Agency

Artists: Joanne Donohoe

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Beady Pocket Project with Francesca Hutchinson

Year: 2022

County: Offaly

Organised by: Offaly Traveller Movement, Spilt Space Art Joint Tullamore

Francesca recently hosted a special workshop for Offaly Traveller Movement, where 20 participants joined her to learn about and create their own Beady Pockets. The workshop was filmed by Red Shoe Productions, and forms part of TG4’s upcoming arts series Imeall.

Artists: Francesca Hutchinson

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Beady Pockets film

Year: 2021

County: Cork

Organised by: Cork Traveller Women's Network

A short film about the Beady Pocket. Traveller grandmother Kathleen Keenan shares her memories about a traditional Traveller women's craft with her granddaughter. A beady pocket was a traditional bag worn by Traveller women and decorated with beads and trinkets.

Funder: Heritage Council

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A Short History of Irish Travellers

Year: 2020

County: Cork

Organised by: Cork Traveller Women's Network

A five minute animated film.

Funder: Heritage Council

Artists: Hazel Hurley

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Missling on the Tobar

Year: 2018

County: Cork

Organised by: Cork Traveller Women's Network

This map is a celebration of a proud nomadic past and rich culture. It was developed by Mags O’Sullivan of Cork Traveller Women’s Network, after she interviewed older Travellers who lived on the campsites around the city. Also a 5 minute film.

Funder: Cork City Council Local Heritage Fund

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Traveller Pride Trail

Year: 2021

County: Cork

Organised by: Cork Traveller Visibility Group, Cork Traveller Women's Network

A leaflet that highlights public art works cultural exhibits commemorative hawthorn tree

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Lived Lives A Traveller Perspective

Year: 2015

County: Dublin, Mayo

Organised by: Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

An experiential art installation creating new knowledge and understanding on suicide among Travellers.

‘Lived Lives’ features a series of artworks created by artist Dr Seamus McGuinness of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology in collaboration with Professor Kevin Malone of UCD Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health. The artist uses textile to invoke the sense of loss and pain caused by suicide in the Traveller community and leaves one with a haunting sense of absence.

Artists: Dr Seamus McGuinness

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Home

Year: 2016

County: Limerick

Organised by: Hunt Museum, Limerick city Traveller Health Advocacy Programme

13 Traveller women, aged from their early 20s to 60s and based in halting sites across the city, who took part in the museum’s outreach programme. Their medium was glass, and they learned to work with it over eight weeks with an artist.

Funder: Limerick City and County Council

Artists: Roisin de Buitlear

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Abbey Theatre 5 x5

Year: 2018

County: Dublin

Organised by: Abbey Theatre, Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

Pavee Point’s Primary Health Care workers spent this week at the Abbey Theatre developing the inspiring story of their work through drama, story and song with facilitator Kathleen Warner Yeates.

Funder: Ireland funds

Artists: Kathleen Warner Yeates

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Tinsmithing Course

Year: 2017

County: Dublin

Organised by: National Museum of Ireland, Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

10 weeks of tinsmithing classes for Traveller men at Collins Barracks.

Funder: NMI

Artists: James Collins

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Collins Barracks Beady Pocket Project

Year: 2018

County: Dublin

Organised by: National Museum of Ireland, Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre, Trav Act

A series of workshops on beady pocket with Traveller and settled women working together and facilitated by Roisin de Buitlear artist in residence at Collins Barracks, National Museum of Ireland.   

Funder: NMI

Artists: Roisin de Buitlear

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Night Shift

Year: 2022

County: Galway, Limerick

Organised by: Druid Theatre, Galway Traveller Movement

Night Shift, a new play written by Rosaleen McDonagh, was a very special occasion. It was a play written by, directed by, and acted by members of the Traveller community, which is rare.

Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity

Inic Print Voice

Year: 2023

County: Limerick

Organised by: Learning Hub Limerick

As Visual Art Coordinator at the Learning Hub Limerick, Artist Melanie O’Rourke has developed a strong relationship with a group of Traveller teenage girls. For Inic, Melanie will work with Frank McCarthy and Limerick Printmakers in the Hub to develop a series of work based on ideas presented by these teenagers.

Inic Parkway

Year: 2023

County: Limerick

Organised by: Limerick Traveller Health Project

A halting site, on the grounds of the Parkway Shopping Centre, was home to several Traveller families in Limerick until the 1990s. Following development, families were moved to the Childers Road Halting Site from where many women access LTHP services. Artists Julianne Hennelly and Amy Bowdren will work with this group to recall memories from their time growing up in the Parkway with an exhibition to follow in a retail unit of the shopping centre.

Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity

Creating a Brighter Future Maggie May Sequel

Year: 2023

County: Cork

Organised by:

To work with a group of 5 Traveller women and youth from Fermoy with the support of previous partners to write and publish a sequel to “Maggie May” for primary school children which will be included their schools cultural awareness work.

Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity

No Fixed Abode

Year: 2023

County: Cork

Organised by: Travellers of North Cork

'No Fixed Abode' is a play written and performed by the Travellers of North Cork (TNC),  and which was peformed for Traveller Ethnicity Celebration 2024.  The play was developed with  18 Traveller women from Charleville. The actors will to respond to the ongoing requests for this play to be toured and to develop it into a more professional piece under the guidance of a Community Theatre Facilitator.

Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity

The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams in a New Translation

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: The Complex

A rewriting of the classic in a Traveller setting.

Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity

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Re-Imagining Life on the Road.

Year: 2022

County: Galway

Organised by: Galway Traveller Movement

The project  recreates life on the road through 6 day-camps, featuring interactive workshops on paper flower making, tin smithing, beady pocket making, and bread baking.

Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity

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Citizen Curator

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: IMMA

A curation project with 3 Travellers and an online exhibition

Organised with Adam Stoneman of the Spice Project

Funder: IMMA

Artists: Leanne McDonagh, Artists: Oein de Bharduin

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IMMA Outdoors

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: IMMA, Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre

An evening of Traveller drama, poetry and music on 29th June

Funder: IMMA

Artists: Johnny Collins, Artists: Michael Collins, Artists: Niamh Dunne, Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh

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Pisreog Project

Year: 2023

County: Dublin

Organised by: St. Margaret's Ballymun

Collection of heritage stories with exhibition at Axis Ballymun with National Museum

This is a partnership between St Margaret’s Traveller Community Association, Men’s and Women’s Literacy and Leadership Groups and Axis Ballymun.

Funder: NMI Axis Ballymun

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