On April 3rd, the Carlow Traveller Forum, and St Catherine’s Community Services Center, in partnership with Creative Ireland Carlow, participatedin the Pan Celtic International Festival in County Carlow. They were thrilled to host two talented performers from the Traveller Community, Thomas McCarthy, and Trish Reilly, who shared traditional and original works in a special event. The event was a collaboration with the”Crush on & Start Singing Group,” aCreative Ireland funded project led by Travellers.
The Crush On project is a creative initiative where members come together to enjoy singing and creative writing. During the event, McCarthy and Reilly presented a wide range of traditional and original works, accompanied by stories that paid tribute to their shared cultural heritage.
The duo was joined by local performers and singers from the “Crush on and Start Singing Group,” which was established in 2023 with the support of Creative Ireland Carlow Open Call. Thomas McCarthy, an award-winning traditional singer and storyteller from Birr, Co. Offaly, comes from a family of traditional singers and musicians who have carefully preserved an extensive archive of stories and songs, which is a precious treasure of our cultural heritage.
Trish Reilly, a singer-songwriter, draws inspiration from her Traveller heritage and a strong family musical tradition, which adds a unique flavor to the event.
Funded by the Creative Ireland Programme, managed through Carlow Arts Office, CreativeIrl, Creative Ireland Carlow, Carlow County Council Community Information, Carlow Public Participation Network–PPN Photos courtesy of ULAB studio
