'Transformative' - Traveller Heritage Strategy launched

Ireland's inaugural Traveller Heritage Strategy has been unveiled by the National Heritage Council. The comprehensive plan aims to preserve the oral history, music, craft skills, and unique lifestyle of Ireland's Traveller community. Developed over three years with input from a Traveller-led working group, the strategy outlines a national framework to support cultural heritage initiatives within the Traveller community.

Key objectives include allocating dedicated funding to heritage projects, establishing a Traveller-led working group for language preservation, and conducting a scoping study for a National Centre for Traveller Heritage. This marks the first such strategy since Irish Travellers gained formal recognition as an ethnic minority in 2017.

Owen Ward, the strategy's convenor, expressed optimism about the transformative potential of the framework, stating that it represents a significant step towards addressing the marginalization of Irish Traveller heritage. Community members, such as John Paul Collins and Maureen Ward, emphasized the urgent need for investment in preserving the Traveller language and traditional skills.

They also called for the establishment of a Traveller museum to foster understanding and combat discrimination. National Museum of Ireland's Inclusive Histories Curator, Oein DeBhairduin, highlighted the vital role Travellers play in preserving Ireland's diverse cultural heritage, including traditional crafts and practices. The strategy's launch coincides with National Heritage Week 2026, which encourages the identification and protection of vulnerable cultural assets across the country.