CHARLIE & JAN
 

TRADITIONAL VEHICLES

We are pleased that we have been able to preserve another part of the Irish culture in the form of traditional driving vehicles.  We acquired both an authentic Irish Gypsy vardo and an Irish jaunting cart for our horses to pull in parades and shows.  
 
The following pictures are of our restored antique Irish Gypsy vardo or living wagon, which we imported from Ireland in early 2006.  This wagon is an example of the "open lot" style of canvas bowtop wagon, which was introduced in the 1930's.  (If our wagon had a solid front door instead of canvas drapes, it would have been called a "windows and doors" wagon.)  Our wagon dates from that period, and was lovingly restored by an Irish Gypsy (or Traveler as they prefer to be called).  He had been born in a similar wagon, and wanted to go back on the road again after he had retired.  He purchased and rebuilt the "unders", remade the bows and the interior cabinets and installed the fabric headliners inside the stretched canvas top.  He also installed an original cast iron "Queenie" stove.  These little stoves could burn peat, coal or charcoal, and provided just enough heat to take the chill off the wagon or to boil water for tea.  (The Gypsies generally cooked their meals over open campfires.)  
 
After restoration, our wagon was then painted by the renowned English Gypsy painter Thomas Stephenson - it was probably one of the last wagons that he painted.  The wagon was shipped back to Ireland for the finishing touches, but the owner suddenly died before he was able to go back on the road again in his restored vardo.  While it is unfortunate that the retired Traveler was unable to relive his youth in the wagon, it is fortunate for the rest of us that he had not actually lived in his wagon.  Gypsy custom requires that any wagon which is being lived in at the time of its owner's death be burned at his funeral (it is considered to be extremely bad luck to live in such a wagon - better that it be burned!).  We purchased our wagon from Myles Cash, whose family has been horse breeders and dealers in the midlands region of Ireland for seven generations, and has extensive contacts with the Travelers in both England and Ireland.  

We recently acquired an authentic Irish jaunting cart to show off the flashy movement of these horses - 'tis a grand sight to see all the hair flying when they trot!  This type of vehicle dates back to the mid 1800's and was a common means of transportation.  Each side of the cart dropped down, and could seat two passengers, who faced outward (away from the wheels).  These carts are still common in Ireland today, particularly in tourist areas, such as the Ring of Kerry, where you can experience a "jaunt" behind a handsome Gypsy horse.