Admire the incredible skill and creativity of Traveller textile and tinsmithing traditions.

Opening hours:

12-5.30pm (Thurs-Sat)

12-3pm (Sun)

The Beady Pocket

Beady Pockets are culturally significant items of clothing for the Traveller community. Traveller women traditionally wore beady pockets over their skirts, and in them would hold anything important or precious. They were decorated with stitching, embroidery and adornments such as buttons, brooches and medals. 

This exhibition will showcase beady pockets old and new, including those recently created by young women from the local Traveller community in a series of workshops run by Galway Traveller Movement. Also on display will be the brand new ‘larger-than-life’ Misleór Beady Pocket, which will be decorated by our nomadic guests from around the world for years to come.

Pavee Beoirs Whiden… Traveller Women Talking

Donegal Travellers Project presents this beautiful exhibition of intricately detailed mannequins. Created by women and girls from the Traveller community in Donegal, the work explores a range of themes, including identity, culture, addiction, mental health and gender equality. Presented alongside a powerful community-made quilt representing culture, education, unity and equality.

The Tinsmith

A collection of stunning colour photographs featuring expert tinsmith Bernard Mongan and his family, documented by National Museum of Ireland staff in 1965. © These images are reproduced with the kind permission of the National Museum of Ireland