Submitted by John Boyle
Events focused on heritage, mental health, and community pride draw strong turnout and praise from organisers
TRAVELLERS from across Ireland came together in May to mark Traveller Pride Week with two standout events in Galway, celebrating Traveller heritage, mental wellbeing, and the passing down of culture across generations. The events were organised by the National Traveller Men’s Forum (NTMF) in partnership with Minceirs Whiden.
On May 25th, participants gathered in Connemara for a hike to Mam Éan – a sacred site long associated with reflection and spiritual renewal. Travellers of all ages took part in the day, which combined walking with group discussion, shared meals, and informal peer support.
This was followed by a local community celebration on May 31st at the Tuam Road Halting Site Community Centre in Galway. The event, titled “Passing Down Our Stories & Skills,” included traditional cooking, crafts, and storytelling, all delivered by Traveller men and women to an intergenerational audience.
Speaking after the events, Paddy Sweeney, Chair of the National Traveller Men’s Forum, said:
“These events created space for Travellers to connect, reflect, and take pride in their identity. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are encouraged by the level of engagement from participants across the country.”
Bernie McDonagh, Secretary of the Forum, added:
“The Mam Éan walk and the Tuam Road event were both well-attended and well-received. They demonstrated the value of Traveller-led initiatives and the importance of intergenerational learning and support.”
Maureen Ward, Interim-Coordinator for Minceirs Whiden, commented:
“This project was a strong example of grassroots collaboration and cultural renewal. We were pleased to support the National Traveller Men’s Forum and will continue to back initiatives that promote mental and physical wellbeing, pride, and visibility within our community.”
The events were funded under the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s Traveller Pride Week initiative. Minceirs Whiden provided financial and administrative oversight, while NTMF led the planning and delivery.
Both events were free to attend and drew participation from Travellers of all ages. Follow-up sessions and continued peer support are now being explored by NTMF as part of the project’s next steps.
