Gaw-Yas Grannie (meaning Traveller Children’s Identity) is a new children's exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, on display until early April 2023.

It showcases a body of artwork developed by Mincéiri/Traveller children through the Gaw-Yas Grannie project, developed by Leitrim County Council in partnership with Leitrim Development Company and Shannonside Community Childcare Centre as part of Leitrim County Council’s Creative Ireland programme, funded by Creative Ireland.

 The children’s artwork was created using a range of media and techniques introduced by artist Kate Murtagh Sheridan at the Shannonside Community Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon. They worked together for more than two years exploring identity and culture through a variety of arts activities within an intergenerational and community setting.
 
The Gaw-Yas Grannie project resulted in a range of outcomes, including educational engagement; creative expression; cultural pride; new skill formation; language promotion; and ensuring a greater Mincéiri/Traveller presence and representation in our national cultural spaces

Among the artworks exhibited are photographic portraits on colourful hand-printed backgrounds, ceramic cups made in response to traditional ponchers made by Traveller tinsmiths, beady pockets, fabric tiles incorporating words from the Cant language, and a beautiful hand-stitched quilt made by women from the community, which inspired the children’s responses. 
 
The exhibition is on display at National Museum of Ireland – Country Life until Monday, 3 April 2023.