THE IRISH ITINERANTS: SOME DEMOGRAPHIC, ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS. BROADSHEET No. 18, May 1979

Geary, R.C. and Dempsey, M. (1979) THE IRISH ITINERANTS: SOME DEMOGRAPHIC, ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS. BROADSHEET No. 18, May 1979. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

SOME selected characteristics of Irish itinerants are discussed in this paper. An account is given of some of the problems faced by itinerants based on factual material obtained from Irish official publications, books and articles on Irish itinerants, discussions with people who work with itinerants and the findings of unpublished censuses of itinerants taken by Local Authorities. The study does not involve social or psychological analysis but tries by the presentation of facts assembled together to "help, if in a small way, those who are trying to improve the lot of itinerants". The problem of itinerancy is seen by the authors as part of the problem of poverty. Itinerants are or were, on the whole, the dispossessed--poor, homeless, illiterate, despised." Some, particularly the roadside traders (whom many would not regard as itinerants), are reasonably well off but the great majority according to Patricia McCarthy (1975) were regarded as "marginal people in every sense . . . living a primitive and harsh existence." They are conscious of their poverty, avoid integration with the settled community, and have a low self esteem because of their dependence on charity and social welfare.

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