The Barrel-Top Wagon Collection

This is a collection of photographs, a booklet and a radio programme that focuses on the barrel-top wagon that is on display in the Toraig on the Tobar, the Traveller culture exhibit at Cork Public Museum.
The wagon was commissioned by the Cork Traveller Women's Network in 2004 as part of the Cork 2005 European Capital of Culture, and constructed under the guidance of John Carroll.

Barrel-top Wagons

Barrel-top wagons hold significant cultural and historical importance within the Irish Traveller community and among other Romani and nomadic groups. Travellers traditionally used these colourful, ornate wagons as homes, offering both a means of transportation and shelter as they moved from place to place. In the Irish Traveller context, barrel-top wagons were often pulled by horses and were distinctive for their rounded roofs, which resembled the shape of a barrel.

These wagons were often highly decorated, with intricate carvings, paintings, and vibrant colours, reflecting the creative and artistic expression of the communities that built and lived in them. They were typically made of wood, and the interiors were designed to be compact yet functional, with space for sleeping, cooking, and storing essential items.

For many Travellers, it remains a symbol of their ancestral way of life and resilience in the face of societal changes. While the wagons are no longer as commonly used for daily living, they continue to hold a place of pride and represent the close-knit, family-oriented nature of Traveller communities.