The Long Grazing Acre at Common Knowledge Donation

Paddy Keenan and The Long Grazing Acre presented by Anna Legge in collaboration with Common Knowledge

The Long Grazing Acre celebrates the incredible story of Irish Travellers' impact on traditional Irish music. This year, Paddy Keenan invites friends from around Ireland - and from throughout his long career - to our unique location in West Clare for a weekend of music, songs, talks, skillsharing, and demonstrations of Traveller camping, bow tent making and tin smithing. The weekend will also include an evening concert and sessions.

The Long Grazing Acre is a touring project that has been bringing the story of Travellers' contribution to traditional Irish music and culture to audiences across Ireland. Previous activities have included a horse-drawn tour following the paths of leading Traveller musical families, alongside concerts, workshops, talks and demonstrations.

This is a not-for-profit event with all funds going directly towards performer fees, workshop costs, and production.

Common Knowledge is proud to co-present the Long Grazing Acre at our site this year, providing the space and support for the weekend. Over the past 5 years, Common Knowledge has been sharing traditional skills and culture, celebrating living heritage, and connecting communities with the practices and knowledge that keep traditions alive. Co-presenting the Long Grazing Acre marks an important step in that work, grounded in recognition of the role that Traveller musicians, craftspeople, and skillsharers have played as bearers of Irish traditional culture across generations.

Friday 10 July

Premiere: Paddy Keenan - A Piper's Odyssey, launch of Tommy Fegan's new radio documentary followed by Q&A.

Saturday 11 July

Demonstrations and Skillsharing - Traditional Traveller camp set-up and bow tent making with David Joyce, Terry and Mikey McInerney, Tin smithing with Terry McInerney, Wood and paper flower making with David Joyce

Evening concert

Sunday 12 July

Talks - The Last of the Traveller Pipers, presentation by Tommy Fegan, Seen and Unseen: Representation of Travellers in 19th Century Art, with David Joyce, Queen of the Tinkers: The Story of Maggie Barry, hosted by Tommy Fegan and Margaret Barry's grandchildren

Session mór

The programme includes participatory workshops, illustrated talks, and live performance, with something for musicians, people interested in traditional skills and anyone with an interest in the living heritage of Traveller culture in Ireland.

We use a staggered pricing model for our events to reduce financial barriers - if you want to attend but can't afford it please reach out to us at info@ourcommonknowledge.org

Presented as part of our Heritage in Action programme, supported by the Heritage Council.