Coppers and Brass is a series of twelve documentaries which explore various aspects of Irish traditional Music, presented by Tommy Fegan.
On this episode looking at Travellers' culture, Tommy Fegan writes:
"The late Michael McDonagh was one of the most knowledgeable and articulate commentators on Irish Traveller culture, and I was delighted to have him as studio guest on the first of my six documentaries on Traveller musicians, and how their culture shaped their unique approach to our national music. Michael was the coordinator of Meath Travellers Centre, the longest-running Traveller-led community development organisation in Ireland. Another passionate and articulate of Traveller issue is Martin Collins, Co-Director of PaveePoint, who is a tireless campaigner for Traveller rights, and he helps clarify the issues underpinning Traveller social policy. In the documentary, Michael explains the origins of Irish Travellers, their culture and the contemporary perspective of young Travellers on the heritage, and their use of social media to establish and strengthen national and international links with the Traveller diaspora. This sets the background for the other documentaries which explore the stylistic nuances of Traveller traditional music."
Seán Gilraine and Dave Sheridan provide mighty Leitrim music on flutes, from the Cobblestone bar in Dublin, to complete a fascinating programme.