As part of their Barrel Top Wagon Concert celebrating the enormous contribution Travellers have made on Irish Music, we present master pipers Paddy Keenan (fonder member of Bothy Band), Mickey Dunne (pipes & fiddle), Niamh Dunne (Beoga – fiddle & vocals).

Special guests Matt Molloy (flute), Éamonn de Barra (flute, whistle and piano / multi instrumental), John Carty (banjo & fiddle) Gerry ‘Fiddle’ O’Connor, Sean Og Graham and singer songwriter Trish Reilly.

Pavee pilgrimage: reliving the nomadic traditions and music of Irish Travellers

In a tribute to their Traveller forefathers, master uilleann pipers Paddy Keenan and Mickey Dunne are embarking on a unique and captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes of Roscommon, Leitrim and Donegal on a traditional horse drawn waggon.

In a world where modernization and technology have shaped our way of life, it is crucial to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our ancestors. Keenan and Dunne, two passionate exponents of Irish traditional music, and Irish Traveller style, have embarked on this remarkable journey that will take them back in time, and immerse them in the traditions of their Traveller forefathers.

But this journey is not just a leisurely trip; it is a pilgrimage to relive the experiences and traditions of Irish Travellers. Joining Paddy and Mickey on the road will be Mickey’s daughter, Niamh, Eamonn de Barra and other talented musicians from the local communities along the way.

Sustaining Irish traditional music

Irish Travellers have played a significant role in sustaining and preserving Irish traditional music for centuries. Their nomadic lifestyle has shaped a unique style and interpretation of mainstream Irish dance music, and has had an enormous impact on the broader canon of Irish traditional music.

As they journey at a leisurely pace on the routes taken by their nomadic and musical ancestors, they invite the local communities, to help celebrate this rich cultural heritage. The Long Grazing Acre is supported by the Arts Council through their Traditional Arts Project Award, Roscommon County Council, Leitrim County Council Creative Communities  and Donegal County Council.

Paul Flynn, Head of Traditional Arts, Arts Council of Ireland, welcomed the imaginative initiative;

“The contribution of the Irish Traveller community to the development of traditional Irish music and song has been immense, yet overlooked to some extent. The Travelling community has, for generations, been a main source of preservation and dissemination of the rich traditional arts of this country. The Arts Council is delighted to have been able to assist Paddy Kennan in celebrating the musical history of the Traveller community as he presents this unique aspect of our traditional arts to the communities he encounters on his pilgrimage.”

Traveller style

The distinctive style of Irish Traveller music is deeply rooted in their nomadic existence. Their music reflects the joys, sorrows and challenges encountered on the road, and it resonates with the raw energy of their music that is both captivating and moving. As the horse drawn waggon meanders through the scenic routes of the three counties, it offers a glimpse into a bye-gone world of Travellers and their interaction with local communities, where their arrival was eagerly anticipated. The breathtaking landscapes and historic villages provide the perfect backdrop for this extraordinary journey. The journey is a testament to the resilience, creativity and spirit of Irish Travellers who have left an indelible mark on the musical landscape of this nation.

For Keenan and Dunne, this pilgrimage is more than a musical adventure; it is a spiritual and personal quest to connect with their roots, honour their ancestors and pay homage to the vibrant Traveller heritage that has shaped their identities. It is a journey they undertake, very conscious that the rhythms and melodies of a bygone era are fading fast.

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For more information, and updates on Paddy and Mickey’s plans ,pilgrimage, progress contact Tommy Fegan
tommyfegan@gmail.com

Mobile 0044 7545 926 773

Footnote

The Long Grazing Acre has social, economic and cultural implications for Irish Travellers.

The economic benefits flow from the opportunity to graze animals, including horses, which were pivotal to sustaining Travellers’ nomadic way of life. This enabled Travellers to engage in work which supported their livelihoods It was therefore  crucial to their very existence. In addition, the Long Grazing Acre was shared by the Traveller community,  offering the opportunity to socialise as they rested at the Long Acre.

It has been essential to the social way of life and is symbolic of Travellers’ determination to maintain their lifestyle as long as possible. It also represents the point of conflict between authorities and Travellers, as in recent years, Travellers have often unsuccessfully exerted their right to this patch of precious land Changes in local bylaws, management policies, practices and enforced assimilation have generated conflicts with the local communities, and the Acre has been symbolic of that conflict.

The shared space provided by this strip of land also offered the opportunities for intergenerational sharing of values and traditions, thus preserving the heritage.