Ahead of this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations in Dublin, one artist is hoping that a traditional art form he is using for the parade will not die out.
Marking 40 years of the Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, a traditional wagon wheel will be part of the parade in Dublin city centre tomorrow. The wheels were painted using a traditional Traveller technique known as scrolling.
Scrolling is a particular design painted on barrel top wagons and wheels which has been part of Traveller heritage for around 80 years.
Paddy Collins, a member of the Travelling community, carried out the artwork on the wagon wheels for the parade.
He said that traditionally instead of paint brushes, brushes used to be made from horse hair to carry out the scrolling.
Mr Collins said he fears that traditional Traveller skills like scrolling will die out if they are not passed on.
Martin Collins, co-director of Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, said that efforts are under way to preserve and promote Traveller heritage and crafts.
"I think we're actually living in a really exciting time," he said, "because there's a lot of really interesting and innovative projects taking place around preserving, promoting and passing on to the younger generation Traveller identity, Traveller culture and the different crafts.
"Wagons were made by Traveller men themselves, it was a highly sought after skill. Unfortunately that skill and that tradition is dying.
"It is very challenging to get the younger generation of Travellers to take an interest and learn that craft and learn that important skill.
"But nonetheless, efforts are being made in that regard. Likewise with tinsmithing."
Paddy Collins has said that he would like to see more Travellers throughout the country take up scrolling.
"There are very few Travellers at it," he said.
"I wouldn't like it to die off, I would like to see younger Travellers getting into it.
"I'm 41 years of age and I'm going to keep at it until I pass away."
Martin Collins said that Pavee Point is really excited to be taking part in this year's parade, marking the organisation's 40th anniversary.
"It is a celebration of cultural diversity, inclusion, respect and equality," he said.
You can watch special coverage of the St Patrick's Day parade on RTÉ One on Monday at 12.15pm
