Irish Traveller Culture
Pride in our heritage and how we live now
Steo Wall: ‘My People’
Irish Travellers traditionally lived a nomadic existence, relying on skills which could be taken from place to place and used to support their families, as everyone travelled together. But nomadism is more than that, it is a specific way of seeing the world, a ‘mindset’. Nomadism gave us work, independence, customs, and a way of avoiding conflict. Even now, our nomadic culture shapes how we live and see the world. There are nomads all around the world.
Accommodation
Irish Travellers can live in many different types of homes. You don’t have to ‘travel’ to still be a Traveller. It is an ethnic minority status. Many years ago, Travellers lived in traditional wattle tents, huts, and barrel top wagons in well-known stopping places. This meant that they could travel around to find work easily.
Some Travellers still live in modern trailers or chalets which are placed on halting sites or in group housing areas. A small number of families live in a trailer by the side of a road. But living in this way has been made almost impossible due to changes in the law, not enough halting sites, and the loss of traditional stopping places. Today, the majority of Travellers live in houses or apartments.
Traveller Industries
Irish Travellers are adaptable: there is probably not a single trade that a Traveller has not turned their hand to over the generations. The main areas of work traditionally undertaken by Travellers were labouring (farms and building), artisan trades (tin-smithing and repairs, paper flowers), sales (door to door), and entertainment (music and storytelling).
A very small number of Irish Travellers still work as tin smiths, but other Travellers may work as market traders or gardeners, running their own businesses. Trades are still popular with young Travellers developing skills in bicycle repair, or security work.
Tinsmithing
Traveller Industries Today
More Travellers are now finding work in offices, in education, healthcare, or in community development groups. There are some highly educated individuals in our community who hold PhDs and work as barristers and therapists.
Beady Pockets
Beady Pockets are a kind of traditional handbag worn around the waist. They were highly embroidered and decorated with buttons and charms. Women would often exchange things with other women to sew onto their pockets.
Irish Travellers Shaped Irish Music 
Travellers have provided an important role in the development of Irish music. Felix and Johnny Doran’s playing style on the Uilleann Pipes was, and continues to be, hugely influential. The Dunnes were also very influential musicians.
Irish Travellers Shaped Irish Music
Music and The Arts
John Reilly, Pecker Dunne, Finbar Furey, Steo Wall, Selina O’Leary and Thomas Doran are examples of great Irish Traveller singers. We also have talented playwriters and actors like John Connors, Rosaleen McDonagh and Michael Collins, plus artists such as Leanne McDonagh.
Traveller Pride Concert 2019
Customs and Rites of Passage
Some Traveller families are religious and celebrate important milestones in their lives. These include First Holy Communion and Confirmation, visits to family graves, seeking Cures for illnesses, pilgrimages to Knock and Croagh Patrick, and raising money for charity.
Horses and Fairs
Horses hold a lot of cultural importance to many Irish Travellers. Only a small number of families still keep horses but they are still an important cultural symbol. Irish Travellers created three breeds of horses: the piebald and skewbald cobs, and the Connemara pony.
Fair Days provide places for Travellers to sell and trade their horses and other animals. There would also be market stalls, music, and meetings between friends and families.
Boxing and “Fair Fights”
In the past, Travellers had a way of settling disputes by arranging a “fair fight”. This would involve a representative from each family and a “fair play man” or referee. Afterwards, the two men would shake hands and the matter would be finished.
The criminal practise of fighting seen today is completely different from “fair fights” and is not part of Traveller culture. However, the tradition of boxing is still very strong among Irish Travellers. Irish Traveller boxers represent Ireland in the Olympic Games, and in professional bouts.
Identity
Irish Travellers are Irish people and are also an ethnic minority. But, many Travellers learn to hide their ethnicity even as children because non- Travellers discriminate against them.
Some Travellers are also part of the LGBTQI+ community. But, LGBTQI+ people who are non-Traveller sometimes also discriminate against them.
Traveller Language
Irish Travellers have their own unique language which is known as ‘Gammon’ or ‘Cant’.
