Wagon Wheels, a short documentary from Wexford-based filmmaker Terence White, will be screened on RTÉ 2 television tomorrow night (Monday 6th December) as part of the Shortscreen series.
The film is about the folk art involved in restoring and painting traditional barrel top wagons - iconic symbols of Traveller culture.
Wagon Wheels features members of the Traveller and settled communities, and explores their shared passion for restoring the wagons to their former glory.
The wagon building and painting skills of Johnny Murphy from New Ross have been passed down through generations of his family, while Pipy Firman from Wexford Town learned his craft over the years from Travellers and coach builders. Another documentary contributor is Jim McGrath from Bridgetown, who comes from a mixed Traveller/settled background.
Terence has made numerous short dramas, documentaries and contemporary dance films, and his work has been shown at national and international film festivals, as well as being broadcast on TV.
He has worked on several projects with the Traveller community previously, including an Arts Council funded youth film project that involved Traveller and settled teens making a short film together.
The film was funded by a Creative Ireland grant from Wexford County Council. Following its broadcast on RTÉ 2, Wagon Wheels will be available on RTÉ player.
Terence spoke to Dean on the Sunday Grill this weekend, you can hear the interview in-full here.
