Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures 2024
Custodians: Keepers of Culture
Exploring the theme ‘Custodians: Keepers of Culture’, this year’s Misleór Festival recognises and celebrates the guardians of music, song, dance, stories, skills and knowledge within the nomadic tradition.
Please join us for a colourful celebration and dynamic conversation on cultural custodianship at Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures 2024.
All events are free unless otherwise stated.
Culture Night - Misleór Cherra Sessions
Warm up by the Misleór ‘cherra’ (Cant word for ‘fire’), with live storytelling and music from local Traveller artists, paper flower-making and traditional crafts!
For Travellers and many other nomadic communities the cherra is an important place for sharing and connecting; a melting pot of memory, imagination and creativity. Join us around the cherra to celebrate Traveller culture by simply listening or sharing a story, poem, song or tune of your own!
Beady Pocket Workshop
Would you like to learn how to make your own beady pocket? Join one of our interactive workshops led by textile artists Nora Mongan and Annemarie McDonagh. Materials provided, but feel free to bring your own decorations and adornments!
Spaces limited - booking recommended!
Traveller Traditions and Crafts
Explore the traditional Traveller barrel-top wagon and get creative with horseshoe painting - all ages welcome!
Beady Pocket Workshop
Would you like to learn how to make your own beady pocket? Join one of our interactive workshops led by textile artists Nora Mongan and Annemarie McDonagh. Materials provided, but feel free to bring your own decorations and adornments!
Spaces limited - booking recommended!
Misleór at Ballinasloe Fair
We’re on the road again! Misleór is heading to Ballinasloe Fair with our installation of wooden horses made from recycled materials. Get creative with paper flower-making, beady pockets, horseshoe painting and more!
11am-1pm: Tinsmithing
Live demonstrations and discussions with traditional tinsmith Tom McDonnell and friends.
12-3pm: Traveller Shorts (Misleór Outdoor Cinema)
Special selection of short films celebrating custodianship, diversity and resilience within the Traveller community.
2-5pm: Live Music
Come down to the Misleór stage to enjoy a very special line-up of singers and musicians. Hosted by the local talent and rising star PJ Mongan.
2pm: Paddy Keenan
Born in Trim, Co. Meath, Paddy Keenan hails from a musical Traveller family with deep uilleann piping roots.His flowing, open-fingered technique was influenced by his father’s and grandfather’s style.
3pm: Kathleen Keenan
Coming from a family of musicians, Kathleen Keenan is an accomplished singer-songwriter who has been performing from an early age, and recently released her first album ‘Beautiful Angels’.
3.45pm: Janos Lang + Marius Otves
Experience the vibrant spirit of Roma music with fiddle players Janos Lang and Marius Otves. Together, they offer a dynamic showcase of the rich fiddle styles from Hungary, Romania, and Transylvania, taking you on a captivating journey into the heart of Roma culture.
4.15pm: Francis Ward
Francis Ward is a talented young singer and guitarist from the local Traveller community, who recently won the Music Award at the National Traveller Pride Awards alongside fellow musician PJ Mongan.