A fire will be lit in Galway this September as Misleór Festival of Nomadic Cultures returns for its seventh annual gathering.
The festival celebrates and brings together nomadic voices from Traveller, Roma, Sámi, Inuit, and other indigenous communities in a crossroads of cultures from September 25 – 28.
Today, an estimated 30–40 million people across more than 80 countries still live as nomads. Misleór shines a light on these resilient cultures, whose traditions continue to thrive despite global pressures.
Nomadic people see the world differently, says Misleór’s Artistic and Cultural Director, Nora Corcoran. “Movement is not a disruption but a rhythm of life. Settled culture often builds, accumulates, and discards.
“Nomadic traditions carry forward what matters – stories, songs, music, skills, herbal knowledge, and the wisdom of survival.”
Misleór is still the only festival in Europe dedicated to the creativity and lived experiences of nomadic peoples. From Roma musicians to Inuit activists, Traveller storytellers to Sámi campaigners, this is a cultural home for communities too often left outside the mainstream.
“This year’s theme, Tending the Flame: On the Road to Justice and Reparation, honours dignity, memory and survival,” says Nora Corcoran.
“We will ask key questions: What do we want to preserve from our traditions? What is the settled world missing that nomadic people can teach? How can memory guide us toward justice?”
“Misleór is about keeping traditions alive while sparking conversations about change. It’s about the right to live freely.”
Highlights of the 2025 programme include an Opening Night honouring tinsmith Tom McDonnell, with the Irish Traditional Music Archive.
The ITMA event presents Stories and Songs of the Road Vol. 2, reviving rare cassette recordings of Traveller voices from the 1980s and ’90s.
Misleór Whidden offers a day of arts and activism on justice, resilience, and indigenous rights, featuring Beaska Niillas (Sámi) and Jess Smith (Scottish Traveller).
This is followed by a public discussion on Twice Colonized with Inuit activist Aaju Peter. Misleór Youth & Family Day showcases Traveller youth creativity, from the Misleór Youth Talent Show to Creating Connections, a VR journey through Traveller life and memory.
The programme also features Freedom Designed/Designing Freedom, where world renowned Sámi architect Joar Nango discussed his groundbreaking practice in conversation with Traveller architect, Brian Ward.
The festival will take place from 25th to 28th September in five venues across Galway City, including An Taibhdhearc, the Mick Lally Theatre and the University of Galway.
Misleór also travels to the Ballinasloe Horse Fair on 5th October 2025, bringing music, craft, and installations to one of Ireland’s oldest nomadic gatherings.
“Misleór is more than a festival”, says Nora. “It places nomadic voices at the centre, where they belong: voices that carry memory, sustain nomadic ways of living and remind us that the road itself can be a home.”
“We invite you to walk that road with us.”
You can see the full programme on www.misleor.ie.
