Services » Corporate and External Affairs

Exhibitions at Cork Public Museum 2005

Barrel Topped Wagon & Traveller Culture Exhibition

The Lord Mayor Cllr. Deirdre Clune, Stella Cherry, Bridget Carmody, Mary O'Sullivan and Tony Sheehan photographed at the exhibition of Traveller Culture in Cork Public Museum. 

On Thursday 13 October 2005, Lord Mayor Cllr. Deirdre Clune formally opened an exhibition of Traveller Culture in Cork Public Museum. The exhibition was organised jointly by the Cork Travellers’ Women’s Network, Cork 2005 and Cork Public Museum. The centrepiece of the exhibition was a traditional traveller barrel topped wagon and it is a culmination of two years hard work by the Traveller community. The wagon was built in the National Sculpture Factory by a group of Traveller men and was out-fitted with handmade curtains and quilts by Traveller women. The wagon was launched earlier this year and was showcased at various events including the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Lifelong Learning Festival. Also on display was a selection of copper crafting in addition to copper working tools, hand made quilts and paper flowers. A time-line traced the origins of the project right through to its conclusion. The barrel-topped wagon will be on permanent display at Cork Public Museum.

Welcoming the exhibit museum Curator Stella Cherry said: “This exhibition shines a spotlight on the overlooked culture and heritage of the Traveller community. We look forward to welcoming many visitors to gain some insight into their heritage through this exhibit”.

Back to list