An innovative tool for raising awareness of Traveller culture, history, and contributions to Irish society was launched at Donegal Travellers Project (DTP) by Donegal Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, as part of Social Inclusion Week last week.
The “Traveller Ethnicity Pack” is a packet of eight cards designed by DTP for use in equality-promoting workshops and presentations that provide information on the subjects of History of Travellers in Donegal, Traveller Culture, Ethnic Recognition, Roma Community, National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, History of DTP, Interculturalism, and History of Travellers in Ireland.
“This pack will used as a tool to open up conversation and new dialogues of understanding,” said Kate Hagan, DTP Community Development and Health Worker.
“Moving forward as a Traveller organisation we will be using this pack in all of the places that we go, including schools, services, and agencies, to help build the conversation.”
Development of the pack began during a two-day workshop last summer, when Travellers came together to discuss what the government’s recent recognition of the Traveller community as a distinct ethnic group meant to them and their families.
“Travellers were already named as a distinct group for protection under Ireland’s equality legislation, but this recognition of Traveller ethnicity is central to equality of status for the Traveller community,” Cllr. McMonagle (Sinn Féin) told the approximately 75 people who attended the launch.
“We must take a firm stand and recognise that the Traveller community experience racism and discrimination and we must challenge this injustice. This pack will contribute to opening up new dialogue between the Traveller and the settled community and will enable the basis for new relations, mutual respect, inclusion, and solidarity to develop. So I’m really pleased to be here today and delighted to show my support to the Traveller community and to DTP.”
Special thanks for supporting the Traveller Ethnicity Pack was extended by DTP during the launch to the Department of Justice and Equality; Liam Ward, Charles Sweeney, and Mairead Cranley of the Donegal County Council Social Inclusion unit; the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) administered by Donegal Local Development CLG; and Francine Blaché-Breen, an Equality and Social Inclusion Consultant who ran the two-day workshop that the pack is based upon.
For more information about the DTP Traveller Ethnicity Pack or intercultural training opportunities, please contact Donegal Travellers Project on (074) 912 9281.
Pictured at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre are Anne Marie McGrath ,Joe Peoples ,Cathaoirlaech Cllr Gerry McMonagle DCC and Liam Ward DCC
Hugh Friel Donegal Travellers Project addresses the crowd at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre .
Katie Boyle Donegal Travellers Project addresses the crowd at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre .
Kieran Mongan Donegal Travellers Project addresses the crowd at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre .
Martin Mongan Donegal Travellers Project addresses the crowd at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre .
Cathaoirlaech Cllr Gerry McMonagle DCC addresses the crowd at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre .
Pictured at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre are (L-R) Liam Ward DCC ,Hugh Friel DTP ,Kate Hagen DTP ,Joe Peoples , Cathaoirlaech Cllr Gerry McMonagle DCC
, Gary Glennon ,Francine Blache-Breen ,Katie Boyle DTP ,Martin Mongan DTP , Siobhan McLaughlin Manager DTP ,Billy Banda DTP .
Martin McGinley and Ted Ponsonby enterain the Guests at the launch of the Traveller Ethnicity Pack at the Donegal Travellers centre
