Why the Moon Travels – University of Galway, Galway

Devised by: The ensemble, from the book by Oein DeBhairduin

Director: Máiréad Ní Chróinín & Ionia Ní Chróinín

Why the Moon Travels invites its audience to sit around a crackling campfire and listen to old tales while learning about the traditions of the Mincéirí (also known as Irish Travellers). Our three hosts, performers Ellen Doyle, Catrina Connors and Sarah McDonagh, make everyone welcome and introduce themselves individually, foregrounding their proud Traveller heritage. They take turns to tell origin stories, encouraging each other with affectionate banter and so we learn where the bogs came from (they are made from a very long beard that the owner no longer needed for warmth once love came into his life) and why some crows are hooded (involving three sisters with a healing potion, a crown and spiders). A scary story about a fiend who collects children’s teeth sends shivers down the spine, while the melancholy story of a grieving man who turned into a yew tree at the graveside of his family is a warning about allowing grief to take over your life. The stories are illustrated by clever shadow puppetry and the beautiful voice of singer Rosie McCarthy who includes the poignant song I am Stretched on your Grave in her contribution.

There are other magical stories, including of course the one about why the moon travels (she was betrayed by her lover) and there is more sharing and giving involved here: we learn how to make a simple soda bread and there is a slice for everyone in the audience (!). We are shown how fabric was woven by the beoirs (women); red and white colours are traditionally incorporated into clothing and lo and behold there are red and white yarn bracelets for everyone also. This performance is warm, generous and genuine, the storytelling is heartfelt and as an audience member you leave with so much more knowledge of Ireland’s only indigenous ethnic minority’s traditions and origin stories, unfortunately not widely known because Irish Travellers’ voices are rarely given amplification. Oein DeBhairduin, who has captured these stories in a book by the name of Why the Moon Travels, Máiréad and Ionia Ní Chróinín of Moonfish Theatre and Galway International Arts Festival have collaborated to bring these stories, devised by the ensemble of Doyle, Connors and McDonagh, to the stage. 

This performance highlights an important fact: there is a dearth of actors and writers from the travelling community performing their lives and their stories on mainstream stages throughout Ireland. Why the Moon Travels reveals this fact to be a real shame: the show is primarily enjoyable, fun and entertaining but also has a secondary mission as it seeks to impart information while reaching out and inviting the settled community to spend time sharing traditional storytelling and songs with the ensemble. The last word here goes to the performers who conclude their show with a hope that their stories and traditions might be taught in schools around the country in an effort to encourage communication between the Mincéirí and the settled community. After all, Travellers are in the world and the world is in Travellers.

Runs Until 19th July 2025.