By Connor Robertson
For nearly four decades, Brú Bhríde has been a vital hub for community development in Tuam. Originally founded in 1986 as the Tuam Traveller Support Group, the organisation later became known as Brú Bhríde, taking on the name of the building itself. While the organisation still holds Traveller advocacy at its core, its services now support people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Martin Ward, who has been with the organisation since 1987, currently serves as one of its coordinators. “We’re a Traveller organisation first and foremost,” he explains, “but more and more people from different backgrounds use the facilities here. We’re here to support anyone who needs it”.
A Hub of Services for Everyone
Brú Bhríde runs a wide range of services. These include a youth programme, the STAR programme (which will conclude in August), primary health care, a community services programme (CSP), a telecare programme, and a crèche. The organisation also manages Tuam Community House and operates Tuam Community Radio.
They host Citizens Information, Pieta House, and Galway Rural Development offices on site. Within the building, they have meeting rooms, a computer suite, training spaces, a Tuam Arts Academy, and a Youth Hall. There’s also a Men’s Shed on-site.
Outside of the building, Brú Bhríde supports a community house across town and maintains a creative outdoor space in the Parkmore area. This space includes a repurposed double-decker bus used for activities, 18 allotments (12 currently in use), and an orchard. These facilities are used by a mix of Travellers, settled people, and people from migrant backgrounds.
The core focus, however, is youth work. “We cater for around 100 young people in any one week”, Martin says. “We run junior and senior clubs, sports activities, outdoor activities”.
Recognising Achievement at Traveller Pride
This year, as part of Traveller Pride Week, Brú Bhríde is hosting an awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of Travellers in the local area.
“We see the development in young people and some seniors, the older generation” Martin explains. “There’s one young man, Michael, he’s on the Galway panel for football. That’s an amazing achievement”.
The awards aim to celebrate young people engaged in education, sport, drama, music, and community service. Award categories include:
- Junior Leader Award: for young people showing leadership in youth programmes
- Sports Awards: recognising commitment and achievement in sport
- Music Awards: for youth involved in singing, playing instruments, and podcasting
- Drama Awards: recognising those participating in theatre and filmmaking
- Choir Awards: for young people involved in musical performances
- Senior Volunteer Leader Award: recognising long-standing voluntary work supporting education and youth engagement
- Education Awards: delivered through the STAR programme
- Women’s Group Recognition: acknowledging ongoing work in sewing, health care, and youth support
Martin speaks particularly highly of the women being recognised: “There’s a core group of around 20 women who are here weekly. Sewing, cooking, helping with costumes for drama, and engaging in health education. The support they give to the entire community”. Some individuals being recognised include Bridget Ward, who has recently set up her own business, and young people who have shown strong focus and dedication in their development over the past year. Martin sees the awards as more than a one-off event. “We hope it shows young people that their work matters, that people are noticing. You can look back in a year and see how far things have come”.
Creating Real Opportunities
Despite the success stories, challenges remain, particularly around funding, education, and access to training. “Education is key”, Martin says. “If a young person drops out of school, it’s not the end. There are other options, apprenticeships, training, employment support”.
He’s honest about the barriers that still exist: “It’s still difficult in many areas for Travellers to get employment. But that’s changing with the young people themselves. They’re more pushy, better educated. They know what they want, and we need to encourage that”.
He also acknowledges the vital role of parents in this shift. “The mothers and fathers are really pushing this generation, to better achievements.”
The message Brú Bhríde wants to send through its work is clear: Travellers are part of the community, and their contributions should be recognised. “You should be proud of who you are” Martin says. “We are contributors, we support the community, it makes no difference who they are. We can develop; we can be as good as anybody else”.
He believes real inclusion comes from shared purpose. “We’re no better than anyone else, and we’re no worse. But we are equal. And that’s what matters in building a good community”.
Traveller Pride, in Practice
For Martin, working with Brú Bhríde is more than a job, it’s been a lifetime of commitment. “I’ve been here since 1987. It’s a part of my life; I’ve grown older with the organisation. It lets people know the positive side of Travellers”.
He’s quick to stress that Traveller Pride is not about image, it’s about action. “Pride gets misunderstood sometimes. For us, it means being proud of the work we’re doing, proud of supporting each other, proud of being involved in the wider community”.
The work Brú Bhríde is doing through its youth projects and community outreach serve as a reminder that inclusion and equality don’t come from token gestures but from long-term, practical support and recognition. As Martin puts it, “We, the Travelling community have an awful lot of potential to offer the wider community”.
