Submitted By Agnita Kenny
Traveller activist Nan Joyce (1940 to 2018) family and friends joined Carlow College, St Patrick’s Civic Engagement Hub on 16th April to rename a room in honour of her ground-breaking activistism for Traveller human rights.
Born Ann O’Donoghue in Tipperary, her father taught her the traditional Traveller language, Cant, and shared stories of Traveller culture and heritage.
Moving from Belfast to Dublin to raise her family of eleven children, Nan was motivated to speak publicly about experiences of discrimination in society faced by the Traveller community. An integral founding member of The Travellers’ Rights Committee, Mincéir Misli, where she worked with her family and friends, Nan was selected to run in the South-West Dáil constituency, becoming the first member of the Traveller community to do so. Though not elected, her platform significantly increased awareness of Traveller culture and lived experiences. Her public campaign paved the way way to address systemic injustices against the Traveller community and create positive social change. Recognised by President McAleese for her contributions to social justice, Nan received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
She authored Traveller: An Autobiography, in 1985 and was featured in Mná na hÉireann: Women who Shaped Ireland in 2009. Throughout her life and activism, Nan worked for a fairer and more socially just Ireland for the Traveller community underserved in areas of housing, health and education. Seomra Nan Seoige Nan Joyce Room was previously named the Chaplaincy Office and the South Wing Tutorial.
