The Irish ‘Travelling community’ have their own ancient language and have in the past been nomadic. Shelta is a language spoken by Rilantu Mincéirí (Irish Travellers), particularly in Ireland and the United Kingdom. They are, nonetheless, predominantly English-speaking. Religiously, the majority of Irish Travellers are Catholic, the predominant religion in the Republic of Ireland. Genetic analysis has shown Travellers to be of Irish extraction, and that they likely diverged from the settled Irish population in the 1600s, possibly during the time of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. The centuries of separation has led to Travellers becoming genetically distinct from the settled Irish. The traditions, that are primarily related to travel, craftsmanship, and close-knit family structures, have been maintained through generations. While they have many similarities with other nomadic tribes, their activities have been deeply influenced by their Irish culture.