ABSTRACT
The origins of the section of our community in Ireland known as Travellers are somewhat obscure. While their way of life compares with the Gypsies and Romany peoples of Europe, they are indigenous Irish people. We were taught that they were part of the upheaval of the famine and land problems of the nineteenth century. There are conflicting views on origins and culture and they will continue. Up to the early 1960s they wandered throughout the country mainly trading as tin smiths and beggars without much notice being taken of their lifestyles and living conditions.
