TUAM, GALWAY — At 76 years old, John Corcoran is redefining what it means to be a man in the Traveller community. While artificial flower crafting has historically been viewed as a pursuit for women, Corcoran is single-handedly dismantling that stereotype, one petal at a time.
A resident of the Tuam Halting Site, Corcoran’s journey with the delicate craft began in childhood. Growing up on the road, he was taught the trade by his mother, a fortune teller who used the flowers as a source of income. “When I was eight years old, she asked me if I would help her make them,” Corcoran recalls. “She even promised me that I could drive the horse and wagon by myself if I agreed. Fortunately, she didn’t break that promise.”
Though he stepped away from the craft as a young man to pursue other interests—including a stint owning a pet monkey named Bimbo—a chance encounter in his 40s reignited his passion. After joining the Galway Traveller Movement, he happened upon a group of women making flowers and felt compelled to step in. Their technique, he says with a grin, left much to be desired. He soon proved his prowess, and what began as a spirited defense of his skill has evolved into a dedicated mission to keep a fading tradition alive.
Corcoran’s influence has now reached the highest levels of Irish society. Last May, when members of the Traveller community were invited to an afternoon tea at Áras an Uachtaráin, Corcoran was tapped to create a gift for President Catherine Connolly. True to his reputation, he arrived at his neighbor’s door at 5:30 a.m. with a bucket of exquisite, handcrafted flowers wrapped in the Traveller ethnicity flag.
“It was lovely to give the President something that was so traditional,” said Paddy Sweeney, chairman of the National Traveller Men’s Forum. Sweeney, a neighbor of Corcoran, notes that the elder’s impact goes beyond aesthetics. “It’s unusual to see Traveller men doing flowers. John is the best around at doing them. He’s breaking stereotypes in other ways, too—pushing prams, being active at 76, and keeping these traditions from dying out.”
Despite the challenges of the craft—including aging materials and health concerns like emphysema—Corcoran remains committed to passing on his knowledge. He finds his greatest reward in the reaction of the children in his community. “I love giving the flowers out to the children, because it’s like Christmas time for them,” he says.
For Corcoran, the craft is more than paper and wire; it is a bridge between generations and a testament to the resilience of his culture. As he continues to mentor local youth and refine his work, he remains a trailblazer, proving that some traditions are best kept alive by those brave enough to challenge the status quo.
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