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8/8/2019 Voice of the Traveller, April 2009
1/36
8/8/2019 Voice of the Traveller, April 2009
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Submissions for inclusion in the next edition ofVoice of the Traveller musbe with us on or before Friday, May 8, 2009.Contact the Voice of the TravellerteamJenny (Editor): [email protected] (Reporter): [email protected] (Reporter): [email protected] (Design and Development): [email protected] (Sales and Marketing): [email protected] (Sales and Marketing): [email protected]
Voice of the Traveller, NATC, Unit 1, Monksland Business Park,Athlone, Co. RoscommonEmail: [email protected]
Please note print outs of photographs are no longeraccepted. All photos must be emails as jpegs or posteddirectly to us at the address above. Voice of the Travellerassumes that the full permission of anyone featured ina photograph has been secured prior to being submitted.Views expressed in Voice of the Travellerdo notnecessarily reflect policies of the editor or the NationalAssociation of Travellers Centres.Some photossubmitted to the magazine may be used on our website.
Helloagain,
Imdelightedtohaveyouwith
usforthespecialAprilissueof
VoiceoftheTraveller. Ihope
yourekeepingwell. Iknowits
noteasystayingupbeatlately
butweregoingtogiveyou
somethingtosmileabout.
Oksoweknowtherewereafew
negativestoriesaboutTravellersin
the
headlineslately.Butinrealityther
earemoregood
storiesthanbad.Thatswhyweve
packedour
pageswithphotosofsmilingpeop
leworkingfor
theircommunity.Icontinuetobeh
eartenedbythe
lovelyreportsyousendus. Keepup
thegoodwork
andkeeptellingusaboutit!
Ourthoughtsarewiththoseofyou
studyingforthe
LeavingandJuniorCertificateexams. Remember
allyourhardworkwillpayoff. Keep
studyingand
makingbigplansforthefuture. M
oreTravellers
aregoingontofurthereducationth
aneverbefore.
Thatssomethingtobeproudof.
Weretakingtotheroadoverthen
extfewmonths
andwewanttomeetyou! Areyou
involvedwitha
communitygroup,trainingcentre,s
chool,etc? Let
usknowifyoudlikeustovisityou
.Welltakesome
photos,haveachatandwelleven
haveaspecial
offeronsubscriptionstothemaga
zine.
Seeyousoon!
TheBeat
goeson!
Voice of the Traveller isfunded and supported bythe following:
SUBS AD
WHY NOT
SUBSCRIBE?6 issues a year costs only35Call us on 090 6498016 or
visit us on www.natc.ie
Travellervoiceofth
e
February2009 Iss
ue 67 4.25
FinbarFureyLookin
gbackonfou
r
decadesofmu
sicfrom
oneofIreland
sgreatest
musicians
win
350
BackinBusines
s:NewDVDlaun
ched
GerryRyanspe
aksout...Newsr
ound-up
Iftheshoefits:T
hework of afa
rrier
thebigdebate
Whoistheboss
ofthehouse?
FrancescoAlesi
sexhibitionof
Travellerlife
TheItal
ianPerspective
Final.indd 1
26/03/2009 1
1:51:42
2
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Regulars4 Photo of the Month
5 Beanz on why we cant say that!
6 News Round-Up
10 Memory Lane
12 The Big Debate: Do Travellers marry too young?24 Ellen
28 Dear Annie
29 Letters
30 Wedding Profile
32 Out and About
30 14
funinthepark LauraGreenetoototheroadsofMunstertomeetsomeofourreaders.Seehowshegotoninside!
Wetaketimetoexplorethepopularsmithfieldmarket.
16
weddingprofile
Spotthedifferencein
thismonthsprofile
ofRitaandOwen
McDonagh,Finglas!
Inthisissue
Features18 Troubling Times: Life up North22 Bridie gets an MBE from the
Queen
23 How the Budget will affect you25 History comes to life in Navan
On the CoverAl talented tinsmith at work
3
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Photo
ofthemonth
Thismonthspho
to:
AboyshowinghowitsdoneinSmithfeldMarket
03.04.09.
SmithfeldMarket,Dublin
PhotocourtesyoJu
lieLynch(www.julielynchphotography.co
m)
Emailyourphotosto
voiceothetra
VoiceoftheT
raveller,
NATC,
Unit1,
MonkslandR
etailPark,
Athlone,
Co.
Roscommon
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Cant is a languagE rom the Travelling
people o Ireland, but what does cant
mean to us today? It means something we
cant understand ourselves.Sure enough you might see the Traveller
break out o your aunt or uncle as they
wrestle a neighbour to the ground in a
dispute over who has the best lurcher.
But seldom in a moment o sheer verbal
animosity do you hear their traditional
tongue come into play.
My mother is a great one or the lash o
the tongue.
Youre this, youre that, youre not this
and youre not that.
You wouldnt know what you were when
she nished. I walked around thinking Iwas Polish or a week ater one o those
traumatic ordeals.
When I was in school we had some o the
rougher Traveller lads in our class.They
would speak really low and rough and at a
speed that would require a lip reader with
R.E.M to determine what was said.
The buer lads in the class used to think
they were speaking in a dierent language.
So now we have words like beoure being
used by settled people and words like
mortgage being used by Travellers.
Andfene is known now by all as a lad or
man, and there are a ew others but I cant
mention because o the censorship on this
article.
We all have seen that lm Snatch with
Brad Pitt in it. Now all my
riends who happen to be
buers all said to me,
Jesus Beanz he takeso the Travellers well.
Now I dont know any
Traveller who speaks like
he swallowed a washing
machine. But i thats what
people consider to be our
dialect then were doomed to
act in silent lms or TV programmes that
have the old 888 subtitles activated.
Cant is something Travellers have spoken
or years and yet we dont use it.
To be air it can be an advantage. I we
spoke it there would be more jobs in the
Guards or interpreters. The word tinker,
now that was a word used by all or years
and without any malice. But now i the
word is used someone is going to end up in
casualty or six hours trying to determine
whether or not it was a punch or a kick that
put his jaw somewhere near his shoulder.
I nd it ironic that when Travellers
talk about buers they say it with the
utmost contempt and in a way that is
undermining. But i someone was to say,
I dont trust the Travellers. well be sure
there would be 175 banners about equality
stuck onto the windows o Leinster House.
I remember when I was young my ather
would occasionally use words I wouldnt
understand. It was around then that I
realised my ather was up to devilment and
no good. I realised this ater I asked my
grand mother what a certain word was and
got a right hook slap to the mouth.
And as or the word itinerant, well that
word has no use in the English language.
Itinerant, sure that sounds like some sort o
mechanical part or the details you get ona fight.
So with all the, tinkers,minciurs, pavees,
Travellers, buers and whatever else that is
out there- isnt it time to make a decision to
stick to one overall name?
MartinBeanz
onwhywe
Cantsaythat
Now I dont knowany Traveller who
speaks like heswallowed a
washing machine
5
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ITWASLAUGHaminuteinStJose
phsTrainingCen-
treinEnnis-whenJonKennydrop
pedin.
Halfoffamouscomedyduo-theD
Unbelievables,Jon
washappytohelpoutduringthe
AontasAdultLearn-
ingFestival.Awidevarietyofacti
vitieswereheldin
thecentretomarktheweek.
Bothstaffandlearnersenteredin
tothefestivities
wholeheartedly,DeirdreDenning
toldVoiceofthe
Traveller.
Theactivitiesincludedliteracy
themeddays,bowl-
ingforallatthecentre.JonKennythecomedian
sharedsomeofhisreadingproble
mswiththecentre
andalsoentertainedstaffandlea
rners.
AreceptionwasheldintheAubu
rnLodgeHotelto
celebratetheFETACandLCAachie
vementsofthe
learners.
Averyenjoyableweekwashadby
everyoneatthe
centreandwehopeitwillbeanan
nualevent.
News
ThedeathofEllen
Lawrence(27)inMaynoothlastmo
nthleftthecommunity
inCo.Kildareandelsewhereinsho
ck.Aminutesilencemarkedherpa
ssing
attheTravellingtoWellbeingconf
erenceinCrokePark.
Ellenwasdescribedasayounglea
derinthecommunity.Shewasstud
ying
atNUIMaynoothandhadworkedo
nalocalCommunityEmployment
Scheme. Shewasalsoatalentedpo
et.Herdeathwaswidelycoveredin
thelocalKildaremediaandherloss
wasfeltinboththelocalsettledand
Travellercommunity.
Shewasstruckbyacaron14,Marc
hwhilecrossingtheDublinRoadou
tside
Maynooth.Maysherestinpeace.
Tragicdeathofyoungcommunityleader
DUnbelievableweekinEnnis!
nolaughingmatter
TomSherlockandPatrickMcCarthy
withJonKennyinSt.
JosephsCentre,Ennis.
Travellersmustberecognisedasa
n
integralpartofethnicdiversity-
accordingto
formerEqualityAuthoritychief
executiveNiallCrowley.Travellers
shouldbeincludedintheofficial
briefheldbytheMinisterofState
forIntegration,MrCrowleysaid
inNUIGalwaylastmonth.Mr
CrowleysaidTravellersrepresente
d
Irelandslargestminorityethnic
groupatthestartoftheeconomic
boom.
Travellersethnicityrecognised
6
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WIN50!
CantLoseCantCompetition
News
Thedeadlinefora
pplicationsforthe
STEPSForwardProgrammehasbee
n
extendedtoSeptember.
Placesarelimited-sogetintouch
soon!
TheprogrammehelpsTravellersto
developskillsingettingjobs,asself
employedfacilitatorsoraccessthir
d
leveleducation.
Theresponsetothisprogrammeh
as
beenextremelypositive,saidCarm
el
CumminsTrainingandEducation
Co-ordinator.
Thisisthefirsttimethistypeof
programmehasbeenrun.
ContactNATC(Tel)0906498017for
an
applicationform.
ASTEPintherightdirection
Whatdoesdoramean?Textyour
answerto0872384431.Eachcorrec
tentrywillbeput
inadrawtowin50anditcouldbe
you!OurFebruarywinnerwasDon
naMonganfrom
Headford,CoGalway.Congratulation
sDonna,yourprizeisonthewayto
you!
FlyingtheflaginTuam
StBeninsEducationCentreinTuam
wasrecentlyawardeda
renewalofitsGreenFlagbyAnTais
ce.
Theflagwasunfurledataceremony
intheGalwayBayHotel.
Studentsandstaffofthecentreare
delightedtheireffortsto
conserveandrecyclehavebeenreco
gnisedatanationallevel.
Everyoneinvolvediscommittedtok
eepingupthegoodwork
inthefuture.
STAFFTOOK Abackseat
intheCarlowCentrefor
EducationandTraining
recently-astheLearnerstook
charge.
AspartoftheAontas
LearnersFestivaltheytook
overtheirownlearningand
organisedtheirownevents
involvingstaffandthelocal
community.
Thelearnershadthefull
supportofMarianDuffy
PresidentofAontas.
Aquestionsandanswer
sessionwithlocalpolitician
JenniferMurnanewas
organised,bythelearners.
Alsotherewasasocial
coffeemorningandaGrowa
LearningTreeevent,where
theyidentified thepositive
benefitsoflearningintheir
lives.
Theseeventswereco-ordinatedbyImel
daKelly.
NigelQuirke-Bolt,Director
oftheCentre,saidafterthe
week;Theadultsre-entry
intoalearningenvironment,
inmanyinstances,requiresa
profoundleapofcourage.
Andyettheirlearning
successisintegraltothe
healthofourcommunities
andoureconomy.
Weblinks >> www.natc.ie MichaelCollins,StaffPav
eePointwithJosephMcDonough,5t
h
yearStudentatChanelCollege,Coolock,
Dublin.Josephison
workexperienceatPaveePoint.Seepage26formorepics!
TakeoverinCarlow!
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Memory Lanemartin and biddy mcdonagh withtheir daughter on her Holy Communion day
martinward,johnny,kathl
eenward,margaretmcdona
gh,
amandamcdonagh,annmcd
onagh,jimmygavin,johnmc
donagh.
Adoubleweddingoftwosistersin
Dublin15yearsago,photosentin
byNancyMcDonagh
martinandbiddyandpatrickmcdonaghtakingsometimeouttohaveapint
10
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patrick with his father martin
mcdonagh, martin mongan ripand nephew having an early cup of tea...
Do you recognise anyone in these photos? Wed love to hear more
about the people featured. If you have old pics send them into us [email protected] and theyll appear on these pages!
seamusmcdonagh(RIP)withMaggieandpaddydoyleLondonMarket,March1983
christymcdonaghrip,michael
mongans,brianandmartin
mcdonagh,Banagher1980s
BackFarleft,jimmymcdonaghbesidehimanthonnevin,johnmcdonaghnexttohimincheckpadd
nevin, nexttohimmichaelmcdonaghandfarright paddysoldiermcdonagh.Inmiddlerow(L-R)maryharperneeMcDonagh,besideher sallynevin neeMcDonaghjoycemcdonaghspeggyandbesideinthefurcoatjanenevinneeMcDonagh.Infrontrow:paddymcdonaghwithgreatgrandsonmartinmcdonagh onhislapandhiswifebesidehimcatherinemcdonaghneeWardwiththeirgrand-daughterkathleennevin.
With thanks to Mary Joyce, Trim, for pointing out themistakes in last months caption of this photo.
11
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Despite changes in recent years, marriage remains a popular institution in Ireland. In thewider community the age at which couples tie the knot has got much older. However amongTravellers, weddings between young couples are still very common. Voice of the Travelleropens its pages to differing voices in the community on this controversial question..DoTravellers marry too young?
Yes!We think a girl getting married young is part
of our culture. Our parents and their parentsand their parents were all married young.
Most Travellers get married young
because their friends get married and
they dont want to be the last one left
out of all their friends. They want to
be a woman before their age. When
your 17 years old you are still only a child.
If young women rush into getting married
they could miss out on life and have to rear
their own family while still young. They are
missing out on their own freedom. It is not a
good reason to get married young because it
could affect your thoughts of having a career.
There is a lot of pressure for you and your
family to see how the wedding will turn
out. Also there is a lot of pressure for you
to make sure that you are not the last one
getting married.
The legal age is 18 years of age to get
married, but some people would prefer it to be
moved up to 20 or older. Then some Travellerswouldnt be thinking of getting married so
young. So different ages for marriage suit
different people.
It is as much pressure for the boy to marry
young among Travellers. However the girl
is the one left doing all the organising and
planning and that is a lot of pressure for a
young woman. It is more important to be in
love with someone but also it is important to
be the right age. There is no point in getting
married if you dont love him.
Mary Lou Keenan, Sheila Keenan and Ashling
Mc Donagh, Finglas
they want to be women before their age.When you are 17 years old you are still onlya child
The Big Debate:Do Travellers marry too young?
What doYOU think?Too many girls are thinking about getting
married and having kids instead of
thinking what they can get out of life.
ELAINE SHERLOCK, GALWAY
Yes, it puts desperate financial pressure on
young people when theyre trying to provide
for a family. To get a good job they need
education but because they got married so
young theyve missed out on that.
MICHAEL STOKES, ATHLONE
1212
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Interested in getting involved in this debate? Why not send an email to [email protected] or post a letter to the Editor.
No!No, I dont think that Travellers get married
too young at all. I mean if a boy and girl
love each other and want to marry then
what problem is in that? There are lots of
settled people who marry young too.
Years ago when there was no law in the
country to marry, I knew Traveller girls who
actually married at 13 and 14 years young,
had big families and are still together living
happily. In the older generation parents
were happy for their kids to be married at
this age. I think in todays society getting
married at 13, 14 or 15 is too young to be
married or have kids, but I dont think 16
or 17 is too young to marry. In the Traveller
community young boys and girls become
young men and women at a very early age
and are very mature for their age as well.
They take up responsibilities like minding
the children, helping the mothers and
fathers at home and with the business. This
is a part of life that will never change with
Travellers.
When a couple wants to get married
at 16/17 they may have to go to court for
permission to marry in which they are
granted or go to England or Northern
Ireland.Every parent wants whats best for
their children, to stay on in school and do
well for themselves but getting married at
a young age doesnt mean all this has to
stop. There are more young married women
going to training centres and going back to
education than ever before and marriage
dosent seem to stop them from doing it.
I personally believe if you fall in
love and you both want the same
thing in life to settle down and get
married, start a family then so be
it, get married. Once you are happy
and your parents are happy with
your decision go for it because
you are not going to please everyone and
life is about you and what you make of it no
matter what anyone says.
I was 19 and my husband was 21 when we
were married. We had nine lovely children
and 19 beautiful grand-kids whom we are
very proud of and love very much and most
of all we have no regrets.
Biddy McDonagh, Offaly
In the Traveller community young boys
and girls become young men and womenat a very early age and are very maturefor their age as well.
Statistically they often marry young but
for Travellers theyre not too young to get
married.
JOHN MCDONAGH, NAVAN
Its better for young fellas to get married
early because theyll stay out of trouble
and the women will help keep them under
control.
SANDRA MCCARTHY, CORK
13
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At the famousSmithfield MarketPhotos: Julie Lynch / www.julielynchphotography.com
Horsingaround
IT LOOKS LIKE A ONE HORSE TOWN- SMITHFIELDMARKET AT 8AM. Despite the pleasant spring
sunshine, the north Dublin cobblestone square is
nearly deserted at dawn.
Since the 17th century, horse traders have gathered
at this point, to haggle, admire, buy and sell horses of
all types and sizes. The modern market is held on the
first Sunday of every month and still attracts many
hundreds of settled and Traveller horse owners.
Smithfield is certainly not what it used to be. The
old cobblestones were replaced by new ones in
1999 and the horse trading takes place against the
backdrop of a massive new apartment complex, hotel
and bar. Young couples sit out on balconies sipping
their Sunday morning lattes looking down on the
equine events below.
As we approach 8.30am larger numbers of horses
arrive. Bareback teenage riders seem totally in control
on their high horses as they race at high speed
through the square.
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JulieLyn
chisafr
eelance
photogr
apherliving
andwor
king
inDubli
nCityw
ithaBAH
onours
Degree
inPhoto
graphy(DIT
).
www.ju
lielynch
photogr
aphy.co
m
julelync
h@yaho
o.co.uk
The hooves click loudly along the cobblestones whileowners jostle for the best position from which to tie their
horses.
Stubborn mules make a constant racket while small meek
ponies stand silently beside their owners.
By 9am the market is alive and buzzing, with all the smells
and sounds you associate with horse markets. This is no
Ballinasloe or Borris Horse Fair with their competitions, fun
rides and music- Smithfield is a stripped down working-
horse market with constant business taking place.
A few stalls sell saddles and various pieces of tack, while a
farrier gets working on the west side of the square.
Interested foreign tourists mix with young horse owners
from the estates of West Dublin, and middle-aged Traveller
men use their many years of horse sense in making deals.
It may be chaotic at times, with horses sometimes
breaking free, but Smithfield Horse Market is a living Dublin
institution with roots in a distant past. And there are not
many of those anymore.
Words: David Lynch
15
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16
Here in Voice of the Travellerwe know
there are good news stories of hope in the
community from across the island. So we
have decided to get out on the road to see
some of these for ourselves. This month our
very own Laura Greene hit the highways andbyways of Munster.
VOICE
AROUNDTHE
COUNTRY
First stop on my whirlwind tour of the south wasthe Rebel City itself and the Fun in the Park
Festival.
This colourful occasion is organised by the Cork
Traveller Womens Network and Cork City Council.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Brian Bermingham,
officially got things underway.
Education and training are more important than
ever before and this festival is a wonderful chance
for the people of Cork to see the opportunities
available to them, said Mayor Bermingham.
Mary O Sullivan, Cork Travellers Womens
Network, welcomed everyone and after the
formalities ended, the fun truly started. My guide
was the wonderful Patsy Toomey and she helped
me find my way through the many workshops, a
nature stall, information on herbal cures and help
with planting herb gardens. After the hectic excitement of the Cork fes-tival it was off to Mallow for a more mellowcoffee and chat. I was given a wonderfulwelcome by the ladies of Our Ladys Train-ing and Education Centre.Everyone there is obviously very proud oftheir busy centre. The group have recentlyproduced a beautiful prayer book. Thecollection of prayers, thoughts and photo-graphs is dedicated to the younger genera-tion and was produced in conjunction withCounty Cork VEC Junior Certificate SchoolsProgramme.Some of the trainees in the centre werebusy taking tests while others were prepar-ing for FETAC Award inspections in varioussubjects.The centre is a bright, cheery and warmplace with fantastic work on display and anexcellent exhibit of old photographs.
MadelineDunne,withherbrothers,To
mmyandStephenpresen
theLordMayorwithaCDofPec
kerDunneslatestrelea
TraineesatOurLadysCentreMallow
Festival Fun in Cork
Coffee and a chat in Mallow
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Next stop was the very active Rathkealeand the Riverside Training Centre. Thecentre caters for boys and girls from 15
years upwards.I met some of the trainees and got their
views on the magazine.
They were very vocal about their likesand dislikes and promised to submitarticles and news for future issues.They are currently rehearsing for apantomime which we hope to attend inJuneThe aim of the centre is to respond tothe educational and training needs of
younger Travellers. It was easy to seethat some great work was taking place,keep it up folks!
Leaving Limerick and heading toClare, I stopped next in Ennis tomeet with Nicola Cullinan at thebeautiful offices of Clare CountyCouncil.Nicola has a very long job title!She is the Co-ordinator of theStrategy for the Co-ordination ofPublic Services to the Traveller
Community in Clare. Her role isto help the interaction betweenagencies providing servicesto Travellers and the commu-nity itself. As part of this Nicolaproduces an excellent newsletterfor Travellers by Travellers calledClare Traveller Focus News.
Then it was the short trip to the Traveller Enterprise & Em-ployment Officer at the Adult Education Centre in ClonroadBusiness Park.There I met with Michael Flanagan, who provides a freeservice to Travellers in County Clare who want to find a jobor start their own business. Michael is a firm believer thateducation and training are key to success and encouragesanyone with a business start-up idea to get in touch. Tel: 0656893771 or email: [email protected].
WehopetomakeVoiceAroundthe
Country aregularfeaturesoifyouwo
uld
likearepresentativefromtheVoiceof
the
Travellertovisityourcentre,pleasege
t
intouchwithLaura.Emaillaura.greene
@
natc.ieorphone0906498017.
TiptoethroughthetulipsattheFunintheParkFestival, theMcCarthysisters,Sally,JessicaandAlicewithDarraghLawlor.
RiversideTrainingCentreRathkealeNo
raHarty,Mary-Anne
OShoughnessy,KathleenSheridan,Es
therEnright,MichelleGannell,
BridMeehan(Teacher)Frontrow:Anni
eODonohoe,ItaKehoe(Teacher)
SharonNeville(Teacher)and JeanSher
idan
Stepping in on Riverside
The News from the Banner
Budding Ennis Enterpreneurs
17
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.
The forgotten legacy of Travellers and the TroublesTroubling Times
Photos courtesy of Derek Speirs
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The fatal shootings last month of
two British soldiers and a PSNI officer
by dissident republicans fired the
North back into the headlines. Over3,000 people lost their lives during
three decades of what was called
the Troubles. A fascinating newreport shows that Travellers were
not unaffected. David Lynch talks tothe author of the report, discusses
the future and reprints the voices of
Travellers from both sides of the border.
Travellers never got involved- wehad our own problems. We stuck toourselves- we were too busy protect-ing each other to worry about stuff.The words of this unidentified Travel-ler echo the belief of many.
In official histories of the violence inthe North, Travellers are rarely men-tioned. It was as if the Troubles pastthe community by.
However as the author of a newreport Irish Travellers and theTroubles says the idea of not beinginvolved is very different than Trav-ellers not being affected. Dr RobbieMcVeigs report was commissionedby the Donegal Travellers Project.
With an extensive series of interviews
with unnamed Travellers this inter-esting document shines a light on aforgotten part of Irish history. With anomadic community, the creation ofthe border in the 1920s was to have ahuge impact on Travellers.
With the explosion of violence in thelate 1960s movement across the bor-der became very difficult for familiesand traders. The border affected mewhen I was young. My parents wenthawking but they never did Northern
Ireland because of the Troubles,says one Traveller in the report.Wetravelled through the north but neverlived there.We were always feared of the northand of the guns. Once the (British)Army came to the campsite, theytalked to my husband. I was scaredand I never felt safe in the north afterthat.
Dr McVeig told Voice of the Travellerthe border had a massive impact onthe community. I think the border
affected Travellers as a nomadicgroup in ways that were profoundlydifferent from settled people,he said. The border completelyinvented a false distinction betweenTravellers whose whole identity was
about Irishness not northernnessor southernness.
He thinks the border led more Travel-lers to become sedentary and settle.It was harder for people to travel
north and south freely. Looking backon the early part of the Troublesone person said My family settledbecause of the Troubles as it wassafer to be settled- safer when in acommunity as opposed to being onthe side of the road.In those times you were alwaysafraid, we had no protection.However with the peace processmovement across the border hasbecome easier.
Just the last couple of years therehas been more Travellers comingdown across the border, says oneTraveller living close to the border.We would see more Travellers com-ing from Derry and Strabane andOmagh. There are some coming nowfrom Belfast although not so many.And more of us from this side goingover too.
Centres like the Tara Workshop inDundalk have many years of crossborder work within the community.And this type of cross border co-operation seems set to become even
stronger. Dr McVeigh agrees.We see an increase in movementcertainly but not necessarily a re-turn to some of the nomadic patternsof movement that were disrupted bythe border.
My family settled
because of theTroubles as it wassafer to be settledin a community, asopposed to being onthe side of the road
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Hope that history does not repeat itself
The shootings by dissident republicans which happened in theNorth in March has left Travellers very worried. That is accord-ing to one Traveller in Belfast contacted by Voice of the Traveller.
It has not just been those shootings, there has been cars andtrucks burnt out in West Belfast, bomb alerts and other thingsgoing on here in recent weeks, said the man who wanted toremain unnamed.Travellers are the same as settled peoplearound here, we just hope history does not repeat itself. Life canbe hard anyway and no one wants the violence back again.
Dr McVeigh said there is concern across the community.My observation would be that Travellers have seen few tangi-
ble benefits of peace apart from peace itself. At the same time,all the negative aspects of the Troubles and their effect on Trav-ellers detailed in my report would be likely to kick in again. Sothe general trepidation felt across the settled community wouldbe shared specifically among Travellers.
Irish Travellers and the Troubles is availablefrom the Donegal Travellers Project. You cancontact the Building, Ethnic and Peace teamin Donegal at Mountain Top, Letterkenny, CoDonegal. Phone: 074 91 29281.
Or contact the project researcher Dr RobbieMcVeigh at [email protected]
Colin Glen site. Josie and Christina Doherty and Berry
13.2.92. Belfast.St Pauls primary school.
14.2.92. Belfast.
Derek
Speirsi
sanacc
omplishe
d
photojour
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hosewo
rkis
publishedre
gularlyi
nawid
e
rangeof
nationalan
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a-
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ers.Heisal
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ththeNa
tional
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mpetitio
n
20
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MONEY ADVICE & BUDGETING SERVICE (MABS)
The cost ofcommunions
ITS THAT time of the year again when the children are
preparing for First Holy Communion. When I think of thisoccasion I have images in my head of a miniature wedding.The whole concept of Holy Communion is lost. Years agowhen I was preparing for my Communion it was based onCatholic beliefs, getting closer to God, learning your prayersand not committing sins. Nowadays its about the biggestdress, the nicest dress, the biggest party etc. Travellers makesuch a big deal out of it. It is expected of the childs parentsto fund the whole day for families. Travellers start to save forthis occasion months beforehand or even apply for loans fromCredit Unions, putting themselves in debt just so that they cangive the child a party and also accommodate the adults with aparty later in the evening. I think sometimes it is also to provethat they have money, even though it may take them over ayear to pay back to the Credit Union!
I myself have a little girl, Mary, who is making her First HolyCommunion in May. I am keeping it very simple and I amgoing to make it her day. When I went shopping for Marysdress, I had an image in my mind of exactly what I wanted forher. I also put a budget of 300 to cover everything from thedress down to the shoes. In your imagination you want themto look nice but in reality it is only for one day. So why paymassive amounts of money for a communion outfit that willonly be worn that day and never again. I decided to go in theJanuary sales because it gave me plenty of time to organiseother things, and also to cut costs.
I organised for a clown to come to the house on the day of thecommunion, for 2 hrs it will cost me 100.The cost of food to
the house is 200 The cost of the photography is 250 and alsthe party for kids 150. So the total cost of Marys communionis 1,000 I know that all parents wants to give their child aday to remember, and sometimes it may seem like a miniaturewedding, but really it is the childs communion day!
>>www.mabs.ie
Weblinks
Monagh Road site
15.6.93. Belfast.
Travellersatanunofficialsiteoutside
Belfast
19.3.92.NorthernIreland.
Submitted by one of our readers
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Its a long journey from Moate tomeeting a monarch- but Traveller
rights campaignerBridie Jones
completed that trip when she
received her MBE from the BritishQueen at Buckingham Palace lastmonth, writes David Lynch.
AT FIRST SHE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IT
WAS A JOKE. When a Traveller activistoriginally from Co. Westmeath got a letter
last year saying she was to be awarded an
MBE from the British Queen, she could
not believe it.
Bridie (Bridget) Jones, now living in
Canterbury England, was awarded an
MBE for services through her work with
the Canterbury Gypsy Traveller SupportGroup and elsewhere.
It was a glamorous occasion and the
new MBE got to meet Formula One
champion Lewis Hamilton among other
award recipients. Bridie has many years
experience of activism for Traveller rights
in Britain. Having lived in Britain now for
many years she has been heavily involved
in the Irish Traveller movement.
She is one of the founders of the
Canterbury Gypsy Traveller Support
Group. Her work has taken her through
the corridors of power and to some of themost famous buildings in the UK.
She has been to Downing Street to
petition on behalf of Travellers, the House
of Commons and the House of Lords in
London.
Ive always tried to break down barriers
and build bridges, she told the media
after her award. When I get a phone call
now (from Travellers) I try to make sure
they get the right services and go to theright people. Its about bringing people
around a table and discussing problems.
During her 15 years of work in the
community she said that overt racism
against Gypsies and Travellers has
probably lessened in Britain but
discrimination against the community
still happens.
In fact since 2001 she has been fighting
to stay on the plot of land that she, her
partner Joe, her son, daughter and seven
grandchildren call home. It has been
seven long and depressing years, shesaid. Despite these problems, Bridie said
she believed the MBE was a symbolic step
in the right direction for the community
in Britain.
The RoyalTreatment
Ive always tried tobreak down barriersand build bridges
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WE MIGHT PREFER TO TRY AND FORGET ABOUT THERECENT BUDGET AS RECESSION TAX INCREASES
AND RISING UNEMPLOYMENT CAN GET EVERYONEDOWN. BUT WE ALL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THECONSEQUENCES AND SOVOICE OF THE TRAVELLERTAKES A CLOSER LOOKREPORT: DAVID LYNCH.
If you are under 20 and going to be on the dole soon-
then you know all about it. If you are a taxpayer
looking at your rapidly dwindling pay cheque - then
you know all about it. If you are relying on your
Christmas welfare bonus this year to get you through
the expensive festive period- then you know all about
it.
In tough times Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has
called for tough measures. He said spending was too
high, and revenue too low, and the country had to face
up to this.
The minister said child benefit would be means tested
or taxed in the Budget next year and social welfare
rates may be reduced next time around.
The national Traveller organisations are waiting until
they see the detail in the Finance Bill before making
conclusive
statements on
the budget.
We have gota number of
queries into the
office about the
proposed cut
in the social
welfare for under 20s already, said Damien Walsh
from the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM).
Travellers are obviously concerned about it. The
thinking behind it might be that young people in
the wider community under 20 might still be living
at home. But for many Travellers at that age they are
already adults and living outside the home ITM and
other national Traveller organisations are also worried
about any further cutbacks in education- and whether
these will affect Travellers. There were already cut
backs in education for Travellers in last years budget.
Timetotightenallourbelts
>>www.finance.gov.ie
Weblinks
In tough times,
Minister Brian Lenihan
has called for tough
measures
Income levy rates doubled to 2%, 4% and 6%.
Cigarettes up 25 cent and diesel up five cent a litre.
Christmas welfare bonus will not be paid this year, while
from May new applicants under the age 20 will have their dole
payments halved.
New asset management agency to take bad loans off the
banks balance sheets.
Early childcare supplement halved from 1 May, and scrappedaltogether next year.
No increases in social welfare for the next couple of years, ratesmay be reviewed later.
A 10% cut in political expenses, while long-term payments to
TDs will be abolished.
Health Levy rates will double to 4% and 5%.
THE BUDGET AT A GLANCE
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Ellen stayed with her father
while her mother went out
in the counry selling the
tin-ware. It was a beautiful
summers day and the sun shone so Ellen
decided that she would go fishing for
pinkeens (baby-fish) in the little stream
across the road from the wagons.
Ellen and her dog Pal set off with a
large glass jar tied with an old pair of
nylons onto a long stick. These made a
great fishing net. She was very excited
because she was intending to catch
loads of pinkeens and cook them for her
and her dads lunch.
Ellen sat for hours catching the
pinkeens. It was so peaceful and very
beautiful just sitting there listening to
the stream running between the rocks.
She caught thousands of pinkeens and
had them all in the glass jar. She decided
that she would set her net for later on as
it was now time to start lunch.
Ellen went across home and asked her
dad was he hungry while taking out the
pan. His reply was Yes, sure Id eat a
little bit now. So she went to the table
and took down the metal pan and placed
it on the stand on the open fireside.
Not looking at Ellen, as he hammered
away making his buckets her dad
shouted in to her Are you ok Ellen, what
are you doing? Ellen replied Im going
to make something to eat for me and
you.
Thats a great girl Ellen, but be careful
with that kettle the water is boiling dont
touch it, Ill make the tea and you butter
the bread
Ellen had the dripping in the pan
at boiling point at this stage, she was
dellighted that her father was hungryand she knew that he would be
delighted with all the fried pinkeens. She
had a full jar of them but they were very
small and she knew that her Dad would
eat a lot of them.
She emptied the water from the jar and
the pinkeens started jumping around in
the jar without water. She waited until
the grease was at boiling point in the
pan and threw all the pinkeens into it
they were sizzling in the pan and then
a blue blaze left the pan and Ellen ran
outside screaming.
Her father didnt know what had just
happened. Pulling the pan off the fire
filled with pinkeens he didnt know
which way to turn. Then he turned to
Ellen saying What in the name of God
have you done child?
Ellen was crying trying to explain to
him that she was trying to cook for him
because he said he was hungry. Then
looking at the pan of burnt pinkeens he
turned back to Ellen and put his face in
his hands saying, Good God Ellen what
have you done to the poor little things
wait until your mother hears about this!
Then to Ellens surprise he started to
laugh out loud, poor Ellen thought hehad gone mad!
Although he was mad at Ellen for what
she did to the poor little pinkeens he
gave her a chance and she promised
never to do it again especially not to
the live ones anyway!
She waited until the
grease was at boilingpoint in the panbefore throwing all the
pinkeens into it
The continuing tale of Ellen, the youngTraveller girl as she goes fishing for pinkeens
for her lunch.
Ellen
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For young Travellers the age of tinsmithsand barrel top wagons is literally a
different world. They hear stories about
the past from older family members and
get a glimpse in fading black and whitephotographs. Yet for one day last month
in the Fairgreen in Navan, that world came
back to life. Voice of the Travellerspoke to
organisers and tinsmiths who took part.
IT WAS AS IF THE PEOPLE OF NAVANhad woken up in the morning and foundthemselves four decades or more in thepast. As part of the Co. Meaths towns
Shamrock Festival over the St Patricksweekend- Navan Traveller Workshop setup a living history display.
Barrel top wagons, music and story tell-ing attracted a large number of localswho braved the harsh weather at theFairgreen. Pride of place went to the tin-smiths, who displayed their ancient tradeto all that came. James Collins a tinsmithof many decades experience held the at-tention of the crowds. Among other skillshe showed how tin was made leak proofwithout a weld.
Long associated with the Travelling com-munity, Tinsmith are people who makeand repairs things made of light-colouredmetal, particularly tinware.Many decades ago tradesmen made aliving from the work- but that is no longerthe case.
According to Michael McDonagh, it wasnot just settled people who were fasci-nated by the work of James and the othercraftsmen- but also young Travellers.I though it was a wonderful day and thefeedback has been great- people reallyenjoyed the music, the storytelling andthe old trades like the tinsmith.
Michael said there are future plans todevelop this Living History display andbring it to local schools and other places.So while young Travellers are loggingon at Bebo, or studying for their LeavingCert- Navan last month provided a perfectopportunity to remember some of the
communitys history and culture.
STEPPING
INTOTHE PAST
Words: David LynchPhotos: Kyran OBrien
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A message of
hope...
allsmilesfortheca
DavidKeenan,WillieGrant,John
AnneMarieMcDonnell,BlanchardstownTravellersDevelopmentRoscommonTravellersDevelopmentGrouGeraldineMcDonnellbothfromtheParish
givingthemagthethu
NancyCollinsandBridgetCollins,
Pave
Travellers and those working with the community have recognised it. New reports
have now confirmed it. The rate of suicide among Travellers is higher than in thewider community. The problem is most acute among young Traveller men. However
there was a sense of determination and optimism at a recent conference about
suicide in the community. The community wants to face the challenge and help
prevent suicide, reports David Lynch.
THERE WAS A MESSAGE OF HOPE from a recent suicide awareness conference. Its
a dark and difficult topic but over 230 Travellers and community workers who
attended left with new skills to help prevent suicide.
The Cross Care: Travelling to Wellbeing conference in Croke Park took place
with a worrying backdrop. Anecdotally, among service providers and Travellersorganisations there is a reported increase in suicides- particularly among young
Traveller men.That was according to Geoff Day the Director of the National Office
for Suicide Prevention who was the keynote speaker.
Mr Day said while there were currently no official figures on suicide among
Travellers- a series of reports and experiences from Travellers showed it was a
growing problem.
The report found Travellers are three times as likely to die by suicide as members of
the general population. Suicide was most likely to affect young Traveller men.
Traveller men not opening up and talking to friends and family about problems
they have was highlighted as a serious issue at the conference.
We need to encourage young men to come and try to seek help, said Mr Day.
The project co-ordinator Petra Daly said she was hugely encouraged by the numberof people in attendance at the conference. This shows there is willingness to take
action on this subject.
GOOD CONTACTS.:.If you are worried aboutyour own mental health,or a family or friend there
are a wide number oforganisations you cancontact for help, or justsomeone to talk to.These include your localTravellerorganisation, or any of thefollowing.
Aware Defeat DepressionHelpline: 1890 303 302
SamaritansHelpline: 1850 [email protected]
Cross Carewww.crosscare.ieTel: 01 836 0011
Parish of the TravellingPeoplewww.ptrav.ie
Weblinks >> www.nosp.ie
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Remembrances
MartinOBrien(Luly)
Died08/03/08
Husband, father and brotherOur hearts are full of memories
We treasure them with care
The way you had to leave us
Will always seem unfair
A heart of gold stopped beating
Two smiling eyes at rest
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the best.
Sent in by sister Ellen OBrien
John (Bongers) Connors.
May he rest in peace.
Always remembered by his loving
wife Helen, children and family.
If youd like a remembrance printed t
your loved one then write or email us
at Voice of the Traveller today.
Ellen Lawrence Maynooth RIP
The recent death of Ellen Lawrence (27)
left the local community in Kildare indeep shock.
Described as a young leader in her
community- Ellen was killed when she
was knocked down by a car on the
Dublin Road outside Maynooth on 14,
March.
An exceptional woman, Ellen had
packed much into her young life.
There was an outpouring of grief locally
at the tragic loss and her death received
widespread coverage in the local media.
Ellens parents Martin and Ann
Lawrence are from Maynooth Traveller
site, where Ellen was from herself.
A very well educated, talented woman
she had been a student at NUI Maynooth
for the last two years. She had been
involved in various projects in the
Travellers movement circle and had been
training to be a teacher/youth worker.
She was in third level education course
and to all that knew her she came across
as a very pleasant and likeable young
lady.
The sad loss of such a talented young
woman has been a big loss to the
Traveller community and a mostdevastating blow to her parents Martin
and Ann and her large family of siblings
and friends.
May she Rest in Peace.
-Many Thanks to Tom McDonagh for
sending in information about Ellen.
rasandPatrickColl
ins,PaveePoint
,MaryMongan,ulineMcDonnell,eTravellingPeople.
sup!nt
27
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TAURUSAt home you understand what people are thinking, and why, marking the
start of better times. Being calm, and a little tougher, Will help you make
shrewd love moves.
GEMINIBelief in yourself replaces doubt and you are ready to agree to new
opportunities. It takes courage to believe in happiness again but it is the
way forward for a relationship.
CANCERDuring family discussions, it is smart to listen without taking sides. Luck is
strongest when you meet a relative after a long absence.
LEOIf the strain is getting to you, take some time to wind down, relax.. An old
face will be a welcome surprise at a family gathering.
VIRGOIf you have children, they will appreciate your unique and delightful way
of expressing yourself. Staying calm in a heated situation will have a great
effect on family talks this month.
LIBRAYou need to make adjustments in your personal life, for your past may be
affecting the way you respond to your present. Travelling is not such a good
idea for you right now, so avoid it if you can.
SCORPIOUnless you really feel like a knock-down, drag-out fight, ignore the pettiness
of others. Have the heart to serve and your day should go well. Luck meets
you at a red door.
SAGITTARIUSYoull need to pay attention to your partner, mate, or best friends needs
before the heat gets turned up. Go somewhere different for lunch or meet
and old friend for a pleasant surprise.
CAPRICORNAs the pace of life increases and opportunities line up, be sure a partner
does not feel left out. If single the one voice you notice in a noisy room
could be the love of your life.
AQUARIUSPartners will feel more relaxed together and a place on a team will mean so
much. Prepare for something you always wanted to happen!
PISCESIf the strain is getting to you, take some time to wind down, relax.. An old
face will be a welcome surprise at a family gathering.
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate Anthony Dinnegan in hisposition as a trained farrier.
He is a great role model to all Traveller men
through out the country. He has an amazing
skill and we really wish him well and hope that he
continues on with his hard work.
We also feel that if at all possible he could offer training or
even talks to other groups of Traveller men who wish to go
down the same career path as Anthony.
If so it would be great if he could print his contact details in the
next issue of Voice of the Traveller.
Best of luck
FROM ALL THE TRAVELLER COMMUNITY IN KERRY
Voice of the Traveller got brilliant feedback on our feature with
Anthony. Hes happy to talk to people about his work and can be
contacted on 086 2537890.
LettersHoroscopes
LETTERof
theMonth
ARIES21 March - 20 April
Your mind is clear, confidence is strong andrestlessness is replaced by calm certainty.This will help you make the right decisionswhen theyre needed in the near future.
Available for Weddings, Anniversaries,
Communions & all Special Occasions.
We are based in the Midlands but can travelnationwide!
TRAVEL IN STYLE....THE ROMANTIC WAY WITH
McLynn Horsedrawn Carriages
Contact Michael
0879289202 or 090648554929
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WeddingProfileThismonthsfeaturedweddingisRitaandOwen
McDonaghwhomarriedonSeptembe
r9,2008inFinglas.
thehappycouple
RitaandOwenasnewlyweds
thenewlyweds
Thelovelycoupleaftersigningthe
register
goingtothechapel
Ritaandherbridesmaidsposefor
aphotobeforeheadingtothe
church
beautifulbride
Ritawithherfabulouscrown
30
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wecanboogieTheweddingpartytaketothedancefloor
welcometothefamilyRitaandOwenposewiththeirproudfamilies
anyoneforcake?Theamazingcakewithmultipletiers
checkout thetrain!Thebackofthe bridesdresscomple
te withlengthytrain
Photos courtesy of Otto Schrewder, Enniscorthy.31
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Out&About
girlsaloud!LearnersatSt.CanicesPortlaoisegivethegirlgrouparunfortheirmoney!Backrow:Noreen
Harty,CharleneCash,MelissaMcDonagh,JulieanneCase,RoseHarty,NancyMcDonagh.
Frontrow:NanDonoghue,NoreenHarty,BarbaraDonoghue,HelenMcInerney.
ThismonthVoiceoftheTravelleris
delightedtoprintaselectionofou
rreadersphotographs!
Ifyouhaveaphoto
graphathomethatyouwouldlike
toseeinthemagazinepleasesend
itin
SandraOBrien,JonKennyandDir
ecto
St.JosephsEnnis,HelenOSullivan
enj
laughtogetherduringAontasWeek
.
NellMcDonaghanddancepartner
steppingitoutattherecentShamr
o
FestivalinNavan
smile for the cameraThe extended McCarthy family enjoying a day out at the Fun in the Park Festival in Cork recently!
32
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welldone!LornaMartinfro
mMadonnaHouse,Ballinasloerec
eivingher
FetacLevel3AwardfromCouncill
orMichaelMullins.
acutabovetherest
Jodi Corcorancelebratingherfourthbirthday
party wearinga
gorgeouspinkprincessdressandsharingthe
funwithherfriend
Abbie Mongan!
theorganisers!
TinaNeylon,FestivalCo-ordinator,PatsyTwomey,VolunteerExtr
aordinaire
andSandraBrettCityofCorkVECattheFunintheParkFestival,
Cork
smile for the cameraCouncillor Michael Mullins presenting Kathleen Ward with herFetac Level 5 Award in Childcare in Madonna House, Ballinasloe.
havingfunintheparkNellQuilliganenjoyingthedaywithfamily.
33
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Out&About
dramaqueens
MembersofClondalkinPrimary
HealthcareDramaGroupattheTr
avellingtoWellbeing
Conferencewhichtookplacerece
ntlyinCrokeParkConference
Centre.
Davy Ward and his wife Biddy Ward,
Tullamore sent in by their daughter
Geraldine
babykacischristening
KacisparentsPatrickandAnn,gra
ndparentsandfamily
AnneMarie,Olivia,JodiandAlans
entinbyproudgranny
AnneMarieCorcoran,Ballinasloe,
CoGalway.34
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cinderella eat your heart out
Ita Kehoe, Mary Ann OShaughnessy, Esther Enright,
Ann McNamara, Nora Harty, Kristina McCarthy and
Brid Meehan from Riverside T.C. won 1st prize in
Rathkeales St. Patricks Day Parade!! Missing from
photo are Justine & Michelle Gammell.
here come the girls
Jessica McCarthy, Helen Dooley, Julie
McCarthy, Sandra McCarthy enjoying the
festival, Young Blackpool Travellers Group
beautifulbirrgirlsAlldressedupandlookingwell,agroupfromBirrTravellerProject,CoOffaly.
say cheese
Members of the BTEI group in St. Canices
Portlaoise, Elizabeth McDonagh, Rosaleen
Casey, Rena McDonagh, Teresa Ryan, Bridget
McInerney, Roseanne McInerney, Sharon Keenan
Kathleen Ward
congrats
AnthonyReilly
andMary
McDonagh,
Clondalkinon
theirwedding
dayFebruary4,
2009
35
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