A new documentary delves deep into the musical traditions of the Irish traveller community.Directed by Tommy Fegan, from Newry, Co. Down, the film looks at the vibrant musical heritage of Irish traveller communities in both Britain and Ireland.
The documentary was submitted as part of his MA thesis undertaken at Dundalk Institute of Technology and put together on a shoestring budget.
Unlike most forms of traditional Irish music which been well documented, the musical traditions of Irish travellers are often passed down from generation to generation, with technique rarely shared outside their immediate community.
“I’ve been interested in Irish traditional music all my life, and I was always fascinated by the little bit of music I had heard some travellers play, but it wasn’t until I was in my early twenties that I began to come across and meet people from the traveller background who were these experts in Irish music”, says director Tommy Fegan.
Johnny Purcell grandson of Johnn DoranFegan noticed a difference in the way the Irish travelling community were playing traditional Irish music, and he wanted to know why.
To the untrained ear, Irish music can be repetitive, being developed as it was to accompany dancers. This means that rhythm is key, but without a troupe of dancers travellers had to redevelop these tunes for busking in public spaces.
This was vital if the music was to capture the attention of the public, and crucially earn them money by entertaining passers-by.
“What I call the Irish traveller style of playing emerged from the economic necessity of survival. If they couldn’t make the music entertaining and attention-seeking they weren’t going to get money and they weren’t going to get fed.”
Fegan conducted in depth interviews with musicians and their families and was granted a rare glimpse into the community.
“The Irish traveller community, both in Ireland and Britain is a very close knit community, because of the discrimination they have suffered over generations, they’re very wary of people from outside their own communities.
"I think one of the reasons I got access, was that I had befriended them many years before. Before I realised the absolute urgency in formally documenting this while they were still alive. Had I approached the traveller community as a stranger I doubt I would’ve had got the level of co-operation that I did.”
Watch the film here
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