The Misleór Festival in Galway, running today and tomorrow, showcases Traveller and nomadic culture through discussions, exhibitions, cinema, and performances.
The Songs and Stories of the Road programme features 1980s and 1990s cassette recordings, preserving Traveller Cant language and oral traditions. Events include storytelling, music, and poetry, with contributions from artists like rapper Lizzy C, who represents Traveller and LGBT communities.
The festival promotes inclusivity and cultural heritage, with an outreach event planned at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair in October 2025. Venues across Galway host the events, fostering community engagement and celebrating the history and traditions of Traveller life.
Writer and poet Julia Sweeney shared: “Storytelling and song were passed down to us by our parents and our grandparents. We would sit around the fire listening to the older people, while life on the road went on all around us.”
“Misleór gives us the opportunity to remember the old ways and make sure younger people understand the experiences that are important to Traveller culture.”
Niall Ó Murchada shared: “Language is one of the key ways in which to trace the history of Travellers, as not much was written about them for a thousand years.”
Lizzy C shared: “Her use of rhyme to convey her experiences, hopes and dreams helps her connect with audiences and is hopeful that Saturday night’s musical showcase, at which she will perform, will help show that there are no barriers to creativity, when one is determined and focussed.”
