Traditions, Customs and Folklore

The customs and traditions of Travellers are traditionally largely related to nomadism. The nomadic way of life involves travelling from place to place. Nomadism alone does not define Travellers' culture. Traveller culture has its own traditions, values, language, arts, crafts, and music. Their culture has been passed on from one generation to the next.

The majority of Irish Travellers are Roman Catholics. Religion still plays a significant part in Irish Traveller life and lots of Traveller families still practise their faith and believe in cures and healing.

Traditionally, Traveller occupation in the past included tin-smithing, construction work, farm labour, trading animals, storytelling, fortune-telling, door to door sales and recycling.

According to the National Museum of Ireland website, the role of craft workers was reduced in the mid 20th Century, with the increasing availability of mass-produced goods, distributed nationally and internationally by new transport methods and networks. As the tractor replaced the horse, the work of the local blacksmith and harness maker was reduced.

The work of the tin-smith is captured in a 1965 National Museum of Ireland film of tinsmith, Mr. Bernard Mongan. 

During the 1960s, the Irish economy began to develop as policies of protectionism were abandoned and the country was open to international trade and industry. The new economic policies encouraged exports and gave tax concessions to attract more industry to set up in Ireland. More and more international companies came to Ireland. As a result, employment rose and the majority of people were better off.

Task:

1. Investigate how the economic and social changes of the 1960s impacted the way of life of Travellers.
2. Discover what the main occupations of Travellers were in 2016 by visiting the Central Statistics Office data.

Traditions

Cant - A Unique Language

Music

Songs

Stories from the 1930s

Religion

Stories for Students

The following books are part of a series developed and produced by the Irish Chaplaincy in Britain. The series aims to produce interesting reading material for adult early readers from Gypsy and Traveller backgrounds.

Government Polices on Travellers >>>

Government Policies on Irish Travellers

Below you will find links to some of the Government policies and strategies that have impacted the Traveller community since 1963. These polices and strategies were created by the Irish Government and most have had a detrimental effect on the Traveller community.

The 1963 Itinerancy Commission Report

The use of language in this report is problematic as Travellers are called itinerants and seen as the problem. Itinerants is an offensive term to Travellers. This report focuses on the idea of assimilation of the Traveller community into the majority population.

Report of the Travelling Community Review Body 1984

Changing language from Itinerant to Traveller. However, the policies of integration are seen by the community as assimilation in another form.

Report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community 1995

Contains much more significant and convincing polices and plans for change. However, to date some of them have not been implemented.

National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021

This is the most recent strategy for Travellers and Roma in Ireland. There are 149 targeted actions with the aim of Supporting Travellers and Roma in all aspects of life in Ireland. The strategy was developed in conjunction with Traveller and Roma communities and organisations.

'The approach and recommendations found in the 1963 Report remain deeply offensive to Travellers and are largely rejected by modern day Ireland.' Houses of the Oireachtas, 2014, pg9

Task:

1. Define the terms racism, discrimination, prejudice, anti-Traveller sentiment, stereotyping, and human dignity.
2. Perform an analyse of the language used in the 1963 report and explain why Travellers as an ethnic group would find the report offensive.
3. Examine newspaper articles from the past that covered the release of government polices on Irish Travellers. Suggest how some articles from the past had a detrimental effect on the Traveller community.

Schools in Ireland now have access to the Irish Newspaper Archive through the Schools Broadband Network. The archive gives teachers and students unrivaled access to primary source documents through national and local newspapers covering hundreds of years of Irish history.

Support >>>

Support for Travellers

During the 1980s, Travellers and their supporters marched on Dáil Éireann. By holding these marches and protests, the Travelling community called to the government to end discrimination and provide proper accommodation, health care and education to their community.

In 1982, Nan Joyce became the first member of the Traveller Community to stand for election in the history of the state. Nan used her time canvassing to educate voters about the Traveller way of life in the hope of developing a greater understanding between Travellers and the Settled people.

In 1983, Minceir Misli was established. Minceir Misli was Irelands' first Traveller rights organisation.

Organisations Supporting the Traveller Community

Many organisations such as Pavee Point and the Irish Traveller Movement have campaigned strongly on behalf of Travellers. They have worked hard with the community to improve living conditions, promote health and education and access to services.

Task:

1. Watch the RTÉ Archives video clip and discuss the history of Irish Travellers' struggle for ethnic recognition.
2. A human rights activist is a person who acts to promote or protect human rights. Research and share stories of people who inspire you because of their work for human rights.
3. What legislation protects members of the Travelling Community from racism and discrimination?
4. Examine the articles within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC).
   i)  Identify which articles pay particular attention to the human right of cultural identity.
   ii) Why is the right to cultural identity so important?
5. The Yellow Flag is an award scheme for schools. How can schools get involved in the scheme and what does the award recognise?

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