Travfest 2022 comes to the Belltable with arts, crafts, concerts and more from November 17 – 20

Travfest 2022 will include an art exhibition, audio screenings, short films, and a concert. The events are a celebration of life while commemorating the loss of loved ones.

Travfest is the final event in Guth na Mincéirí, which was a six-month event celebrating Traveller culture

By I Love Limerick correspondent Ellie McCarthy

Travfest 2022 is a celebration of the Traveller community and the creativity within it begins on Thursday, November 17, 2022. The events are a celebration of life while commemorating the loss of loved ones. Travfest is the final event in Guth na Mincéirí, which was a six-month event celebrating Traveller culture. The programme is an initiative by Creative Ireland, The Arts Council and the HSE. The event is produced by THE GAFF, in collaboration with Limerick Traveller Health Programme, Learning Hub Limerick, the Local Creative Youth Partnership, Creative Communities Midwest, Fresh Film and Belltable.

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This event brings members of the Travelling community together by sharing their work through many different art forms such as film, visual art, audio, live music performances and craft.  The coordinators’ mission with this weekend of events was to highlight the indigenous community which has always been overflown with amazing talent and gives them the space to showcase their work. Guth na Mincéirí was created to give a voice to creative Travellers within the Limerick area.

On Thursday, November 17, the weekend of events kicks off with Comóradh, a visual art exhibition that is taking place in the Belltable at 6 pm. The art on display pays respect to those who have passed and celebrates the living. Eight Traveller women’s art will be on display and so will the stories behind the beautiful artwork. Admission is free.

On Friday, November 18, a short film showcase will be taking place in the Belltable at 8 pm. The four short films tell the stories of many different aspects of the Traveller community, from women’s relationship with their hair to their love of horses. The short films range from 4 minutes to 15 minutes and are an excellent insight into the misunderstood community. Admission to the screenings is €5.

On Saturday, November 19, an audio screening of ‘A Vision For My Daughter’s Future’ will take place in the Belltable at 3 pm. This presents voice recordings of Traveller women as they reminisce on their lives and think of what the future holds for their daughters and granddaughters. A short discussion will be followed after. Admission to this screening is free.

Also, on Saturday in the Belltable, the highly anticipated Travfest 2022 concert will take place at 8 pm. The concert will include performances from the soulful Sharyn Ward, folk star Steo Wall, and the new emerging rap group Rude Awakening. Tickets are €8 and this is an event you won’t want to miss.

On the final day of Travfest 2022 on Sunday, November 20, there will be a wreath-making workshop at 1 pm in the Belltable. This is the perfect time to do so as the custom of placing wreaths on the graves of loved ones in the lead-up to Christmas is a strong tradition within the community. The workshop will cost €20 and includes the costs of the materials for the wreaths.

Book your tickets to one, or all of the events at Travfest 2022

Related stories on the Traveller community in Limerick