Irish Travellers are the only indigineous ethnic group in Ireland and share a distinct and separate identity, culture and history from the rest of the population. Travellers have learned and shared values, beliefs, behaviours and customs which make them identifiable as individuals and as a group of people. Their culture is characterised by nomadism, family ties and kinship, community participation and cross-generational respect, and horse ownership. The Traveller language of Cant (also known as Gammon or Shelta), along with an oral tradition rich in folklore, form a core part of the culture of the community. Travellers’ culture and way of life enables them to retain their identity as an ethnic group, this was finally recognised and formally acknowledged by the state in 2017 after over 50 years campaigning by Traveller activists.
