Songs of the Open Road

At the age of 10, Thomas McCarthy left County Offaly in Ireland and moved to London to live with his siblings and mother in a halting site under the A40, the Westway, in West London, which members of the Traveller community still inhabit. Today he is one of Ireland’s most significant singers and the keeper of more than 1200 of Ireland’s oldest songs. Pat Collins lyrical, poignant documentary explores Thomas’ life and the deep resonance his songs continue to hold. The film will be introduced with a mini-concert from the Scots traveller singer-storyteller, Jess Smith.

The screening will include closed captions for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audiences.