The Yew tree
Internazionale
In the tradition of the Travellers, graveyards are not just places of mourning but profound spaces of memory and connection, deeply interwoven into everyday life.
Oein DeBhairduin, an activist and writer from the Traveller community, shares the poignant story of unbaptized children being laid to rest in unconsecrated ground, and why some graves remain unmarked, in Tuam, western Ireland, and beyond.
DeBhairduin is known for his work preserving Traveller culture and his efforts in challenging social issues faced by the community. His storytelling brings to life the deep connections that Travellers have with memory, family, and the land.
As published in Internazionale
This text is from Oein DeBhairduin’s collection Why the Moon Travels, which highlights traditional stories of the Irish Traveller community.
MY IDEA
My idea was to replicate the silence surrounding this memory of the cemetery corner dedicated to the children.
The small white figure walking through the green grass is almost suspended, and the grass creates a quiet space around it. I also worked a lot on the character of the child because I wanted it to appear small and walking with a thoughtful expression.
I also found some news reports, like the one at this link from The Independent.ie and from the Guardian which discuss the deaths of children in Irish mother and baby homes.
