DONEGAL Senator Eileen Flynn will launch a short podcast series called ‘Travellers Lives’ at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny on Saturday at 1pm.
The three podcasts are on the themes of family, life on and off the road, and the importance of horses in Traveller culture. They’ve been put together by musician and former editor Martin McGinley.
The launch will be chaired by David Friel, lecturer at the Letterkenny campus of the Atlantic Technological University. All are welcome, and admission is free.
The event is part of Letterkenny Trad Week. There will be an informal music session before the launch featuring fiddlers Bianca Rohleder (BallyshannonDublin), a grand-daughter of the noted fidder Simon Doherty (1885-1962); Conor Caldwell (Belfast); and Martin McGinley (Ramelton). They’ll be joined by percussionist Robbie Fottrell (Dublin).
Those featured in the podcasts include Senator Flynn herself, who lives in Ardara. She talks of the joy as well as the challenges associated with growing up in a halting site in Dublin.
Kieran Mongan recalls his early days travelling in England and Ireland. He’s now Traveller Job Coach with the Donegal Local Development Company in Letterkenny.
Also featured is Hugh Friel from Ballyarr near Ramelton, who’s the father of the launch chair David Friel. Hugh is well-known for his work representing Travellers in Donegal and nationally, and works with the DTP’s Roma Project.
Martin McGinley spoke to Ackie McGinley, Ramelton, who’s been described as a ‘horse whisperer’, along with Maeve McIvor, a Traveller Job Coach with DLDC.
David Friel.
There are contributions from the south of the county – Bridget McDonagh, who lives in Ballyshannon; Teresa Ward, who works with the Donegal Travellers Project in the town; and Ned O’Reilly, Ballintra.
There’s a song on each podcast from Traveller singer Mary Josephine Ward, Manorcunningham. Guesting on one of the podcasts is well-known musician and singer Dessie Crerand from Ray, Rathmullan, with ‘The Homes of Donegal’, written about a Traveller.
In the Travellers language Cant, the podcasts are called ‘Pavees Taurying’ (Travellers Talking).
The podcasts are an initiative of the manager of the Donegal Travellers Project, Siobhan McLaughlin, and the team there. Funding has come from Creative Ireland through the ‘Culture and Creativity’ awards scheme operated by Donegal County Council. There’s support for the launch from DTP PEACEPLUS programme, ‘Pride Not Prejudice’.
Martin McGinley said the podcasts were a fascinating project to work on, and everyone interviewed had a story to tell.
“The aim was to create an opportunity for Traveller voices to tell their own stories, and they have lots of stories to tell. As they speak, you’re struck by the scale of the challenges Travellers face, including the loss of their traditional way of life and their ways of making a living, such as tinsmithing. It helps you appreciate those who support the Travellers, not least the Donegal Travellers’ Project itself.”
The podcast launch is part of Letterkenny Trad Week, reflecting the importance of Travellers in traditional music in Donegal and around the country. A guest speaker at the launch will be Rab Cherry of Donegal fiddle organisation Cairdeas, who has been researching the famed Doherty family of Traveller musicians in the county, including John Doherty (1900-1980).
There are three linked events to do with Travellers in the RCC on Saturday. At 11am, there’s a talk by Rab Cherry on the Doherty family; at 1pm the podcasts launch; and at 2pm a ‘Travellers Tunes’ concert featuring Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Kevin Doherty and lots more.
