God Bless Ya

The Irish Travellers are one of the strongest Catholic communities in the world.

Irish Travellers were a nomadic family-based group trading horses and tools with farmers in rural areas of Ireland. Since the country became more and more mechanized, they lost their economic role and travelling became less convenient.

Hence they became more settled and their lifestyle began to adapt to the new condition.

Among Travelling people religion has always played a vital role and nowadays their adherence to Catholic morals is still one of the most stringent worldwide. The way Travellers experience faith is far from being intimate and discreet, as the Christian moderation does not hinder their vitality and exuberance.

This photo-reportage is a result of a whole summer spent in Ireland moving from campsites to churches, to holy wells, to shrines.

...

Published on Irish Times (Ireland), Internazionale (Italy), Gente (Italy), British Journal of Photography (UK)

Exhibited at Format Festival (Derby - UK)

A family from Dublin in pilgrimage to Knock Shrine.
A family from Dublin in pilgrimage to Knock Shrine.
Croagh Patrick. The Faithful during one of the fifteen rounds of the chapel. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick. It was on the summit of this mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD.
Croagh Patrick. The Faithful during one of the fifteen rounds of the chapel. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick. It was on the summit of this mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD.
Siblings in front of their grandfather's grave in Ballymote, Co. Sligo. Charlie Joseph Ward, "better known as the Scrapper Ward", is carved on the grave, was one of the best fighters of the County. Many people contributed with money to build a marble and granite grave. Some Travellers' grave, bigger than this one, cost more than £ 40.000.
Siblings in front of their grandfather's grave in Ballymote, Co. Sligo. Charlie Joseph Ward, "better known as the Scrapper Ward", is carved on the grave, was one of the best fighters of the County. Many people contributed with money to build a marble and granite grave. Some Travellers' grave, bigger than this one, cost more than £ 40.000.
Margaret Collins dancing with her father in law, Hughie Collins. Margaret is from Dublin but was married in Dundalk, Co. Meath, as the Dublin Parish does not marry minors. She is only 16 but has just realized her biggest dream: getting married.
Margaret Collins dancing with her father in law, Hughie Collins. Margaret is from Dublin but was married in Dundalk, Co. Meath, as the Dublin Parish does not marry minors. She is only 16 but has just realized her biggest dream: getting married.
Despite the silence and holiness of the church, children play jumping on the benches. Even during the church service parents struggle to repress their exuberance.
Despite the silence and holiness of the church, children play jumping on the benches. Even during the church service parents struggle to repress their exuberance.
Two girls getting into the Church.
Two girls getting into the Church.
Backstage of "Wedding Bells", a play by Ellen McDonagh, traveler living in Navan Co. Meath.
Backstage of "Wedding Bells", a play by Ellen McDonagh, traveler living in Navan Co. Meath.
Sacred Heart's statue in a bathroom. Private home. Finglas. Dublin.
Sacred Heart's statue in a bathroom. Private home. Finglas. Dublin.
The summit of Croagh Patrick. On 'Reek Sunday', the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. Many Travellers arrive on Saturday in order to spend time with relatives or friends living far away and that can be met primarily during religious events.
The summit of Croagh Patrick. On 'Reek Sunday', the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. Many Travellers arrive on Saturday in order to spend time with relatives or friends living far away and that can be met primarily during religious events.
Girls walking around the Knock Shrine on the 15th of August. Knock used to be the place for matchmakings. Nowadays it is still a good event for girls and boys to find a partner.
Girls walking around the Knock Shrine on the 15th of August. Knock used to be the place for matchmakings. Nowadays it is still a good event for girls and boys to find a partner.
The summit of Croagh Patrick. On 'Reek Sunday', the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. Many Travellers arrive on Saturday in order to spend time with relatives or friends living far away and that can be met primarily during religious events.
The summit of Croagh Patrick. On 'Reek Sunday', the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. Many Travellers arrive on Saturday in order to spend time with relatives or friends living far away and that can be met primarily during religious events.
Woman visiting her niece's grave died in 2007 for anorexia when she was 18. Ballymote, Co. Sligo.
Woman visiting her niece's grave died in 2007 for anorexia when she was 18. Ballymote, Co. Sligo.
Young Travellers in pilgrimage walking in Knock Shrine.
Young Travellers in pilgrimage walking in Knock Shrine.
The groom's family hires the bus to get the Church.
The groom's family hires the bus to get the Church.
Bride's crown.
Bride's crown.
Man drinking after reaching the summit of Croagh Patrick. On 'Reek Sunday', the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. Many Travellers arrive on Saturday in order to spend time with relatives or friends living far away and that can be met primarily during religious events.
Man drinking after reaching the summit of Croagh Patrick. On 'Reek Sunday', the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek. Many Travellers arrive on Saturday in order to spend time with relatives or friends living far away and that can be met primarily during religious events.
Finglas, Dublin
Finglas, Dublin
Bride's car.
Bride's car.
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