Since the 1940s, the community known as an lucht siúil—often referred to as “Irish Travellers” by outsiders—has made their home in Murphy Village, South Carolina. This group, located just outside of North Augusta, represents the largest concentration of its kind in the United States. Currently, Murphy Village is home to approximately 3,000 residents. However, exact population figures are hard to ascertain, as this tightly-knit community tends to remain insular, allowing very few outsiders to engage with their rich cultural traditions.
Contrary to popular belief, the modern-day “an lucht siúil” individuals in America do not journey in large, horse-drawn carts as many stereotypes suggest. Instead, they have adapted to contemporary life and travel in ways that reflect their unique culture and traditions while engaging with the modern world.
While the traditional image of Irish travelers may have held true in their native Ireland, that perception is no longer applicable today. The lifestyles of these communities have evolved significantly, particularly for those who established roots in South Carolina.
The Irish travelers known as the Murphy Village community arrived in South Carolina in 1940, following the lead of an Irish minister named Murphy. After he inherited a parish north of North Augusta, he and his followers settled in the area. This settlement would come to be known as Murphy Village, SC, marking a significant chapter in the history of Irish travelers in America. Today, their way of life is distinct from those old-time travelers, reflecting the changes and advancements that have taken place over the years.
The priest invited the traveling community, known as an lucht siúil, to establish a campsite beside the church, and they accepted his invitation! Before long, a trailer park emerged as the central gathering place for the travelers.
Fast forward nearly seven decades, and a good number of the an lucht siúil community continue to participate in services at St. Edward Catholic Church.
The main page of the church’s website provides an in-depth look at the history of the an lucht siúil community residing in Murphy Village.
Typically, the men in this community engage in travel for work, primarily focusing on construction roles, including tasks like house painting. Meanwhile, the women often remain at home to care for the children.
Some reports indicate that the an lucht siúil people are largely matriarchal as the men are gone most of the time. However, tradition holds that the men are all always at home at least three times a year: during the World Series; Easter; and for Christmas.
The an lucht siúil people comprise a small population of several families.
As a result, the community has only a limited number of surnames, leading many of the men to adopt nicknames rather than use their given names to avoid any mix-ups.
Additionally, the practice of arranged marriages is prevalent within the culture of an lucht siúil.
In certain cultures, marriages are planned at a young age, although they can only be finalized once both individuals reach the legal marrying age.
Located in South Carolina, Murphy Village boasts the largest concentration of the an lucht siúil community in the United States. Additional communities can also be found in states like Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas. Have you heard of Murphy Village, South Carolina, and the an lucht siúil individuals who reside there? This group of Irish travelers in South Carolina leads a distinctive lifestyle!