Since 2014, The GAFF has been working with communities and artists from a wide range of disciplines to develop collaborative programmes of work across Limerick and parts of Clare. The communities worked with to date include Moyross, St.Mary’s Park, Southill, Garryowen and Weston as well as residents from Knockalisheen and Griffin House Direct Provision centres. In 2020/21 the GAFF also began working with artists from the Travelling community.

With support from Creative Ireland’s Traveller Wellbeing through Creativity programme The
GAFF, together with Learning Hub Limerick, the Local Creative Youth Partnership and the Limerick Traveller Health Programme worked with artists WILLZEE, Melanie O’Rourke, Frank McCarthy, Sean Horgan, Hazey Haze, Steo Wall and Sharon Ward to create Guth na Mincéirí, a six month celebration of Traveller culture in Limerick.

Here are some events that Creative Ireland supported throughout Guth na Mincéirí.

Comóradh
Comóradh was a visual art project which commemorated the lives of loved ones who have died too young or by suicide. The project gathered together artefacts that provided a glimpse into the lives of those who have passed on, loved ones will always be remembered. The completed project aimed to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote community healing. Comóradh
Worked with 15 Traveller women and was led by visual artist, Melanie O’Rourke. A selection of paintings from Comóradh were also included in the Travellers Together Preventing Suicide event at the O’Reilly Theatre Dublin on January 28th.

Being Put Back Together.
The short film documentary, Being Put Back Together explored perspectives on lives in halting sites as they currently exist and reflected on life on the road, recalled through older members of the community who lived in barrel top wagons in the 1960s. This short film screened as part of an evening of film and discussion on the portrayal of Travellers through film. The documentary, directed by film director and Traveller David McDonagh (the first winner of the Misleór Film Bursary), included voices from the older generation of the Traveller community. The film is now being presented to National and International Festivals.

TravFest Concert
Music Artist, WILLZEE curated a live performance in Belltable as part of the November festival, TravFest. This featured an eclectic mix of artists from proud Traveller, folk-rapper Steo Wall and the ever growing popular performer, Sharyn Ward. WILLZEE also introduced some of the newer emerging voices from Limerick’s rap scene.

To find out more about The Gaff, click here.