Traveller’s Memories Pavee Tales is an exhibition of the work of nine Traveller women. Included in the show is a wall hanging that explores the true life experiences, as told by Lisa Collins. As a younger member of the Traveller community Lisa learned a lot about her own culture by working on the wall hanging.

Press Release:



‘Traveller’s Memories Pavees Tales’

“Irish Travellers are gifted in their ability in story - telling, sewing, embroidering and making something out of nothing. Creative endeavor prospers for the Travellers in the same way as for the rest of us in a supportive and safe environment.”

Traveller’s Memories Pavee Tales is an exhibition of the work of nine Traveller women. Included in the show is a wall hanging that explores the true life experiences, as told by Lisa Collins. As a younger member of the Traveller community Lisa learned a lot about her own culture by working on the wall hanging. She said it made her wonder how the older community survived living on the side of the road in tin huts or caravans without any electricity, running water or toilets. How did they survive not having baths to bathe their children or heaters to warm the bedrooms? The tilly lamps were their only source of light and the paraffin heaters the only heat to keep warm.

Lisa recalled her parents saying how they depended on farmers and bartered for milk, eggs, and the crubeens or a bit of bacon for mending buckets and farming tools or shoeing horses. Lisa believes Traveller Memories, Pavees Tales should always be remembered with pride.

Traveller Memories Pavees Tales is part of the Primary Health Care training programme co-ordinated by Extern and funded through the HSE for members of the Traveller community throughout county Cavan. The expressive art workshops were facilitated by Rikki van den Berg and the exhibition is promoted by Extern and Cavan County Council at the Arts Space at Bullock Lane, Cavan as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2011.

The exhibition will take place at Bullock Lane Arts Space from Monday 15th August to Sunday 21st August 2011, daily 1pm to 5pm. Members of the Primary Health Care team will be present to answer any of your questions and introduce themselves during this time. If you would like further information you can contact Ita Madden, Coordinator, Cavan Travellers Primary Health Care Team on 0868372882.