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.
This wonderful video was made by Diversity 4 Change, a group of Traveller and Settled young men from Rahoonane and Shanakill, with the support of Shanakill FRC and Kerry Travellers Project, alongside Kerry County Arts and Rhyme Island.
Dance Workshop Project set up by Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project & Kerry LCYP. This workshop is for ages 5-8 & 9-12 year old's, They will be exploring movement, music and different dance styles in a relaxed and safe environment.
Funder: Kerry Education & Training Board
On display is a collection of photographs of Travellers at Puck Fair from the Kennelly Archives, artisan tinsmith products and other traditional crafts, two scale model traditional wagons, and a scale model of a Traveller camp set at Puck Fair alongside an assortment of other items traditionally used as part of the nomadic life of a Traveller family.
A reading from the essay 'Crowning Glory' from the book 'Unsettled' read by Kathleen Lawrence on RTE Radio One Sunday Miscellany.
Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh
Funder: St Patrick's Festival
Artists: Thomas McCarthy, Artists: Trish Reilly
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 series of workshops for young people aged 5 - 17 years to try different circus skills
Funder: Galway Community Circus, Funder: Galway County Council
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
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
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
Artists: Joanne Donohoe
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
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
Workshops with Live Shows on 29 and 30 September at the Studio Lexicon Dun Laoghaire
Funder: Festival of Inclusion Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown
A short documentary
Funder: Creative Ireland, Funder: Misleor Bursary
Artists: David McDonagh
Two portraits one of John Connors and one of Chrissie Ward at the Darndale Belcamp Village Centre
Artists: Immanuel Godson
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
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
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
“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
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
No Twixing or Crossing is the title of a new collection of beliefs and superstitions which was produced by artist and folklorist Michael Fortune as a result of conversations with a group of Traveller women from the Bunclody area of County Wexford in January and February 2023.
Collected and published by Michael Fortune http://folklore.ie/Books_Publications.html
Funder: Wexford Library
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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' 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
A rewriting of the classic in a Traveller setting.
Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity
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
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
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
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
Funder: North West Area Partnership
Artists: Geoff Finan
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Comóradh was a visual art project which commemorated the lives of loved ones who have died too young or by suicide. The project gathered together artefacts that provided a glimpse into the lives of those who have passed on, loved ones will always be remembered. The completed project aimed to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote community healing. Comóradh Worked with 15 Traveller women and was led by visual artist, Melanie O’Rourke. A selection of paintings from Comóradh were also included in the Travellers Together Preventing Suicide event at the O’Reilly Theatre Dublin on January 28th.
Part of Guth na Minceiri 2022
Funder: Traveller wellbeing through creativity
Artists: Melanie O Rourke
Martin Beanz Warde collaborated with nine participants from the Traveller Community from across Ireland to make a series of photographs that respond to themes of identity and wellbeing.
Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity projects, an initiative developed by Creative Ireland, the Healthy Ireland Programme, the HSE, the National Social Inclusion Office and the Arts Council.
Funder: Open Doors Initiative
Artists: Martin Beanz Warde
This exhibition is a collaborative project between the Hunt Museum, Limerick City Traveller Health Programme and the Learning Hub which has been supported by Southill Child and Family Centre and Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre.
To celebrate Traveller Pride Week 2022. This exhibition presents artworks in glass and combined media by local Traveller women, Traveller teens and Traveller children which reflect their stories & passions
Traveller themed painted utility box
A selection of shorts curated by CTWN
History of Black Ash Camp and halting site
Programme of music, film, theatre and visual art
Travellers self curated personal belongings that were exhibited with recordings of stories about the object
Funder: DCEDIY
Community Map of Traveller Exp in Coolock
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
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
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
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
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
A collection of essays published by Skein Press
Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh
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
A leaflet that highlights public art works cultural exhibits commemorative hawthorn tree
Exhibition of photographs at Donegal County Museum
This flag was designed by Traveller women from Cork Traveller Women’s Network & Cork Traveller Visibility Group with the support of artists Claire Coughlan and Helen O’Keeffe through the Glucksman Gallery.
A short film about a young deaf Traveller boy and his family
Artists: John Connors, Artists: Johnny Collins, Artists: Kayleigh Mcdonagh, Artists: Thomas Connors
Artists: John Connors
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
A five minute animated film.
Funder: Heritage Council
Artists: Hazel Hurley
Is a portrait exhibition originated by artist Breda Mayock and photographed by Orla Sloyan, at Courtyard Gallery at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life.
Artists: Breda Maycock
New Light is an exhibition of 8 different poster-based artworks presented in a series of exploratory walks across the public spheres of Cork City.
Features the piece Pavee Presence by Leanne McDonagh
Artists: Leanne McDonagh
An exploration of Traveller culture and heritage told through the lens of history and geography.
Supported by Dublin City Culture Company and National Library and winner of National Heritage Award 2021
Funder: Dublin City Council
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
One man theatre show by John Connors.
Artists: John Connors
Programme of music, film, theatre and visual art
In May 2019, a group of talented teenagers from Meelagh Young Girls Group, Mahon visited the Glucksman to take part in a creative workshop exploring Traveller ethnicity. The girls worked together to create bags, posters and a large-scale painting that depicts the Traveller Ethnicity Pin.
Partner with UCC's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit to promote and embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of our work. https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/
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
Reading performed at the Traveller Ethnicity Celebration 2018
Artists: Rosaleen McDonagh, Artists: Thomas Collins
Book Project
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
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
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
Concerts featuring Traveller musicians and singers