A newly completed traditional Barrel top Traveller Wagon will be unveiled by the local Finglas Traveller community at the Finglas Civic Centre, Mellowes Road, Dublin 11 on Thursday 10th December at 7pm.

The Traveller Wagon took two years to complete and celebrates this years’ Traveller Focus Week which runs from 30th November to 11th December.  The theme of the week is “Traveller Pride” and the pride, skill and dedication taken to complete such a project can be clearly seen.  Local Traveller men of all age groups built and handcrafted this beautifully ornate wagon using traditional methods which enabled the younger generation to learn the crafts and skills carried down through the generations.

“It is a pleasure to see this barrel top wagon here today.  It stands proud tonight under the Christmas tree as a symbol of a culture that is rich in diversity and authenticity.   The workmanship, skill and creativity that went into the production of this wagon is to be praised and protected.  I want to congratulate everyone involved in this project”

said Michael O’ Neill, Executive Manager, Dublin City Council, North West Area Office.

 

Ends

 

Notes to the Editor:

• The Finglas Christmas Tree will be lit on Thursday 10th December 2009 at 7pm by Councillor John Lyons at the Finglas Civic Centre, Mellowes Road, Dublin 11.
• The wagon is beautifully ornate. The under-works of the wagon are made from a turntable, which consists of a lock (made of ash), a cradle, springs and jacks, which are made of iron and steel.  The wheels are ash and elm with a steel rim, which holds a rubber inlay. The frame of the wagon is made with ash benders, which bend over to form the frame and ash runners, which hold the frame in situ. The exterior of the frame is then covered with canvas sheeting with cotton lining on the interior of the wagon. Seats and a bed are made from pine. The wagon was painted in the traditional way with scrawls and horse-head designs.  To the back of the wagon there is a pan box which is covered by canvas and was used to store items when travelling, hay and straw were traditionally stored here. Two carriage lamps and a ladder up into the main door finish the wagon.
• The Tolka Area Partnership successfully applied through the local Finglas West RAPID AIT to the Pobal administered dormant accounts fund. Funding was also received from St. Stephen’s green trust and the Tolka area partnership. Tutor support was provided through the CDVEC. The project has resulted in the build of a beautiful barrel top wagon and a coming together of Traveller men from the wider Finglas area. Photographs of the process were taken by one of the participants and an oral history project with older Traveller men and women from the area was also recorded. This will be compiled in early 2010.
• Photos of the Wagon are available on request.