The project, led by St. Margaret’s Community Traveller Association’s (SMTCA) Primary Healthcare Team in partnership with Oein de Bhardúin, Axis Ballymun and the National Museum of Ireland, with the community as expert of its own heritage, lived experience and cultural awareness.
The commissioned Traveller artists responded to the materials collected in their own art form, having the freedom to see, interpret and create in any way in which the collection and the people whose lives it arose from resonated with them.
The works include those of a Tinsmith/ Metal worker (Tom McDonnell), photographer (David McDonagh), videographer (PJ Mongan), multi-media artist (Chloe McDonagh), needlework (Moll McDonagh), lashúl flower maker (Bridget McDonnell) and carpenter (Anthony Nevin). These works will be exhibited in Axis’ Gallery in May 2023 and, following a process with the community, will form part of the collection of the National Museum of Ireland, as an example of community curated work.
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins spoke at this event, saying: “The distinctive history, identity and tradition of Irish Travellers is woven deeply into the story and culture of Ireland, and it has made a significant and positive contribution. For many years, Travellers were a welcome sight in Irish communities offering their skills, in the rearing and selling of horses, mending and restoring objects and bringing to our doors a range of beautifully crafted objects, such as lace, or paper flowers... we owe a special debt to these communities, these custodians of Irish heritage. The Pisreóg Project is a true reflection of Irish Traveller stories, led by Travellers – the experts of their own heritage and lived experience. There is still much to be done to enable and support full participation this a group of our citizens who are too often excluded – however The Pisreóg Project gives me hope, and heart that these stories
are being honoured and heard. I commend St Margarets, Axis and the National Museum in holding space for this work to emerge from the community and for the community”.
Winnie McDonnell, Primary Healthcare Coordinator at SMTCA and project lead said: “When left to tell our story in our own way, this is what we can achieve; the richness and complexities of this exhibition and publication convey the nuance and depth of Traveller heritage. We are proud to present these works to The President, an ally of the community... By placing Travellers at the heart of their own cultural conversations and by championing and making this work visible, our stories can really be embraced and understood”.
Over the course of several months, SMTCA engaged in a process in which the community shared their own stories, tales, insights, customs, using the Wheel of the Year as the framework for exploring the multiple narratives, understandings and interlacing of heritage, identity, expression and actions.
These collected Pisreógs were collated into a publication that includes a variety of themes, a calendar and a glossary of Gammon Cant terms, providing a unique insight into the cycle of the year from a Traveller perspective – rich with the community’s connection to the land, histories and age-old practices.
The seven Traveller artists were commissioned to respond to an element within the collection to ensure a community-specific creative response and give further affirmations not only to the positive and creative currents within the community but also incorporates the vitality and importance of artistic expression.
This project is funded by Creative Ireland’s Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity fund with additional support from The Arts Council, Axis Ballymun and The National Museum of Ireland. The work was steered by an advisory group featuring Winnie McDonnell, Primary Healthcare Coordinator at SMTCA (who was project lead), Oein DeBhairdúin, Traveller Culture Collections Development Officer at The National Museum of Ireland and Niamh Ní Chonchubhair, Artistic Director at Axis Ballymun.
