End of the road for Wanderly Wagon: Last Travellers living in barrel-top wagon settle down
Nelly and Willie Reilly outside their barrel-top wagon, adorned with primrose yellow and emerald green. Pictures: McGee Photography
The last remaining Travellers to live in a barrel-top wagon in Ireland say they are finally ready to settle down, after decades spent touring the roads.
Nelly Reilly, 68, and her husband Willie, 77, who are now proud grandparents, raised their family of 11 in the wagon. But given their advancing years, they say it is now time to move into a 'real' home. While understandably sad to say goodbye to such a long and proud tradition, the couple say they feel a sense of pride over how much joy the wagon has brought.
Like others of its type - which are an increasingly rare sight - this piece of craftsmanship is etched with its own unique engravings and designs.
Adorned with primrose yellow and emerald green, the model underwent a makeover in recent years that saw its wooden wheels replaced with modern tyres.
Despite these minor adjustments, the wagon still radiates old-world charm — drawing curiosity from tourists and locals.
It has also been a source of inspiration for photographers who view it as an important symbol of Traveller culture and a reminder of life on the road that is now dying out.
However, given that they both have health conditions, the couple - who have lived their whole lives in barrel-top wagons — recently decided to end their wagon days. They have moved into a standard caravan on an unofficial site in Co Tipperary next to the wagon, and are using it for storage, until they can secure a more permanent living situation.
Nelly said she hopes to move into a house where they can enjoy a more comfortable life after a "tough" life spent on the roads. All of their children have now settled and live in properties locally.
However, she said they all have wonderful memories of their time on the road.
“I have always lived in it,” Nelly said.
“I raised my children in it. There were 11 children, eight boys and three girls. When the boys got older we got them their own caravan which they slept in.
"This is just a place we parked. We are still looking for a proper place to live in.
"People don’t want to live in the wagons, because they are raising families and they want the right place to do that. There are only two of us left here now. At this time of life, it’s very tough.
"My husband has health issues. I have health issues. We need a proper place with proper toilets.”
She recalls their days in the wagon with fondness.
“The best thing about travelling around is meeting cousins and friends. It was lovely in the summer."
Ms Reilly described how the barrel-top wagon differs from other types of homes.
"I have stayed in a house and you have a lot more comfort," she said.
"You have the showers, you have the toilets, and you’re in a bed that’s warm at night. All my family have houses now.”
Nelly said that she would love to have a home to facilitate the visits from her dozens of grandchildren.
“It would be an easier way of life. I would prefer to get a place where we can finally have a bit of peace and quiet but if we do move, we will keep the wagon in the family.
"We are very happy after all these years. Now, it’s time to settle down.”
She spoke of the joy their barrel wagon has brought to others.
“It does make me proud that we’re the only ones because people love it. They love looking at old things. We have had it for years.
"The biggest challenge was raising my family. All of our children have nice houses now, which is the main thing.”
The majority of today’s barrel-top wagons exist only in museums or as part of historical projects. One of the most recently constructed models takes pride of place at Cork Public Museum, in Fitzgerald’s Park.
The Barrel Top project was constructed during Cork’s tenure as the European Capital of Culture. It is now a centrepiece of the museum’s Traveller Culture exhibit.
