James Collins & Tom McDonnell

The Traveller tinsmiths

• James and Tom learned the craft from their fathers
• They are passionate about keeping their craft alive
• It is a craft in danger of dying out

James Collins and Tom McDonnell are two of the few remaining Traveller tinsmiths in Ireland. Travellers have recently been recognised as an ethnic minority in Ireland. They have a unique identity and culture which includes craft skills. Tom and James both learned their craft from their fathers and, like them, sell their wares at farmhouses, markets and fairs around the country. Traveller tinsmiths work in particular areas moving from farm to farm. “The farmers needed us and we needed them,” explains James. Today being a tinsmith is not seen as a viable career by many young Travellers. However, Tom and James have adapted their skills to more modern designs and Traveller tinsmithing is now on the National Inventory of Intangible Culture since 2018.

Interview

©Derek Speirs

©Derek Speirs

How did you learn your craft?

Tom: We both learned from our fathers, and we learned by watching them doing it around the campfire. We began crafting at the age of 12, and we are in our seventies now so it’s a lifetime of skill. Generations of skill really.

What is unique about your craft?

James: Tinsmithing, as practised by Travellers, is a highly mobile craft that doesn’t depend on nails. Instead, rivets, also made by tinsmiths, are used to attach handles. Seams are made by folding and hammering the metal and vessels are shaped using tinsmithing stakes.

So, your craft and your way of life went hand in hand?

Tom: Yes, it was our way of feeding ourselves, trading our craft. When we grew up travelling around the different parishes, there were lots of tinsmiths. It was an everyday occurrence. Tinware was essential to life in the days before plastic. It was a lovely way of life.

Is your craft in danger?

Well, we are some of the last Traveller tinsmiths left in the country, so yes it is in danger. It’s nearly gone. I’d like to see some of the Traveller younger generation taking it up and keeping the tradition going. We aren’t going to be around forever.

James Collins & Tom McDonnell are master artisans: they began their career in 1964 and they started teaching in 1994

Works

©Derek Speirs

©Derek Speirs

©Derek Speirs

©Derek Speirs

©Derek Speirs

Where