Margaret McDonagh tells Travellers’ Voice about her work with the National Traveller Mental Health Network and how the organisation is working together to provide a holistic range of services to help her community. December 10th last saw the United Nations’ Human Rights Day marked with an assembly outside Dáil Éireann, an occasion attended by Travellers…
A Respected Custodian of Traveller History and Culture! Sometimes in life we get to meet a one-of-a-kind individual, a person who can turn their heads, their hands and their hearts to doing just about anything, that person is often described as being the best-of-the-best. Mr Michael McDonagh, (RIP) was one such person. Husband, father, grandfather…
Men’s Development and Health Care Worker Hugh Friel was one of those protesting outside Leinster House last May to raise awareness of the mental health crisis facing the community. We caught up with Hugh, who’s part of the Men’s Development and Health Care team at Donegal Travellers Project to ask him to explain the impact…
By Kay McCabe, Involve Meath The European Commission Representation in Ireland has published a new collection of stories about the EU and equality and inclusion in Ireland. Inspired by the EU motto, ‘United in Diversity’, the Diversity Journal showcases the work that is happening in communities across Ireland which is connecting with, and supporting, key…
Submitted by Research Team Our names are Dr. Sindy Joyce (post-doctoral researcher), Margaret O’ Brien (peer-researcher) and Olive O’ Reilly (peer researcher), we are Travellers/Mincéirs and are currently working with Professor Amanda Haynes and Dr. Jennifer Schweppe carrying out a research study at the University of Limerick. This project has been funded by the Irish…
Helping People to Help Themselves: How one Limerick Traveller Woman Responded to her Community’s Needs During the COVID Crisis! By Miriam Kerins; who finds out it’s all about risk reduction and creating awareness A support initiative, which has been set up to help Limerick Travellers by Limerick Travellers to address issues facing the community around…
Vox Pop Submitted by John Madden Challenging times call for creative solutions, and while we’re all aware that the schools are shut and are very limited in what they can do effectively, youth work across Ireland is also having to adapt. There’s a saying out there, “youth work works” and it does. It has made vast differences in so…
Submitted by John Madden In the midst of all the Covid-19 news, we saw a changing of the guard in Seanad Eireann. Over the month of March, the elections took place for 49 of the seats for the upper house of the Irish Government, and with elections comes the time to say goodbye to some…
Autism: Your child received a diagnosis…don’t despair! By Rosemarie Maughan When you finally get the diagnosis your child is autistic don’t despair; being autistic is not a tragedy, but a neurological difference which is to be understood and embraced. It’s going to be ok. The best thing you can do now for your child is…
Owen Ward, the first Traveller to be elected to NUI Galway’s Governing Body gives us all a lesson in unflinching determination! By Miriam Kerins Owen Ward is a proud Irish Traveller man who left school at the age of 16 without having the benefit of either a Junior or a Leaving Certificate. However, rather than…