Theresa Lavina’s documentary, Mincéir, airs on RTÉ One at 9.35pm, offering an introspective glimpse into the lives of the Traveller community in contemporary Ireland. The programme artfully merges folk tales, historic archives, contemporary witness accounts, and Traveller songs, although its vague structure can often make it challenging to follow the speakers and themes.
Without doubt, the documentary provides a significant platform for the Travellers to express themselves on national media. Many powerful testimonies are shared; one woman labels Travellers as “the last form of racism”, while another reminiscences hiding her Traveller roots during childhood due to fear of prejudice. It is revealed that the hatred for their community has surpassed all others, deemed a long-standing grudge ingrained in society.
Mincéir dives deep into various facets of the Traveller identity, but doesn’t clearly specify this in the beginning. It’s something that the viewer has to gradually comprehend. Nora Corcoran from the Galway Traveller Movement expresses anguish over the dwindling sense of community among Travellers. She mourns that many children have lost their identity and had hoped that assimilation would lead to equality in societal treatment.
The documentary also sheds light on the historical prejudice against Travellers. James Collins, a tinsmith, shares his father’s story of trading his goods for basic food items to feed the family. He reminisces, “We used to swap them for the spuds, the cabbage. That’s the way we had of feeding ourselves.”
The Mincéir documentary is best described as a thoughtful masterpiece, rather than a conventional informational piece. Alongside this, RTÉ also covers narratives of other compelling social issues.
Lavina, a Spanish documentary filmmaker now residing in Galway, examines the status of women in Traveller society. It is shared by a woman that the men dictate final decisions while women assume the role of family caretakers. Another adds that women’s responsibilities traditionally revolve around rearing children – a common tradition in the Traveller community.
The subject of feuding is also explored by the director. A particular insight mentioned by a contributor is the concept of a “Traveller mediator”, individuals who work towards resolving disputes in a non-violent approach. The information, while intriguing, merely scratches the surface and leaves viewers desiring more insight.
The film, Mincéir, has been showcased in various festivals nationally and globally. Instead of providing a comprehensive look into the Traveller community, it shines as a reflective piece of art. The prevailing mood is a melancholy depiction of the prejudices experienced by the Traveller community and the fading of their traditional practices. Though it doesn’t substantially broaden our understanding of the Traveller community, it captivates viewers with its emotive content.