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W
elcome to
our winter
edition of
Travellers’
Voice magazine. It’s hard
to believe the end of 2014
is nearly upon us and we’ll
soon be toasting the New Year; looking forward
to all the exciting possibilities it may bring.
It’s been a whirlwind year for us here at Travellers’
Voice magazine. We were delighted to have had the
opportunity to meet some wonderful people who are
inspiring positive changes in terms of how Travellers
see themselves; people who are opening the glass
ceilings that once only served to limit the potential
growth of Travellers.
This year has taught us that Travellers are actors,
models, teachers, beauty therapists and graduates
from universities and institutes of technology across
Ireland. As we are in the age of learning and
knowledge sharing we’re very proud to report that
Travellers are taking this opportunity and using it for
the betterment of our community.
Some of the more popular sections in Travellers’
Voice have always been our cookery and food
sections, there’s just something about short cuts to
fantastic food that spurs our readers to get involved;
this has inspired us to bring you an insight into a
couple culinary kings who share their tricks of the
trade when it comes to making some of the ‘Nation’s
Favourite Food Fast!’ as our cover guy Neven says.
We also meet up with Traveller Model, Sara Jane
Dunne who was runner up in this year’s Miss Ireland
and get some advice on how to break into the
modelling industry. Read about the Traveller men
who came together to challenge the negative
stereotypes, producing a ‘must have’ calendar in the
process.
As this is the final issue for 2014, I would like to
wish all our readers, contributors and
advertisers a Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year from all of us at
Travellers’ Voice magazine. I look
OVER TO YOU
forward to hearing your feedback
If you have an
upcoming event that
in the future through
you would like featured
[email protected].
in the Gallery section, please
All the best, Michael
For further information and details of
special offers contact Leah on 09064
98017 or email [email protected]
contact the editor at
[email protected]
or call us on
090 6498017
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Travellers’ Voice
GO TO PAGE 49 FOR DETAILS
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Photos can be emailed to the editor in jpeg or pdf format. Travellers’
Voice assumes the full permission has been obtained by those featured
in any image prior to submitting. Views expressed in the Travellers’ Voice
do not necessarily reflect the policies of the editor or Involve Ltd. All
information is correct at time of going to press. Some photos featured in
the magazine may be used for PR purposes or on the Involve website.
2
ON THE
COVER
Neven
MaGuir
e
BinÍ TÁiri (Small Talk)
News round-up from the Travelling community
6COVER INTERVIEW
Neven MaGuire ahead of his hit TV show “Home Chef”
10
Model travellers’
Taking the catwalk by storm
14A League of their own
Pavee GAA scores one for the community
15Awarding achievments
A look at the Exchange House Educational
Achievement Awards
16Calendar Lads
32
Winter Warmers
34
KIDS’ CORNER
36
MEMORY lane
Taking to the studio to challenge stereotypes
20
The lazy chef
22
Body image
Meet TV’s new dream Chef
The small word we loath
to hear
24Advice
Know your rights before
you shop
27
Movember feever
28
FASHION FOR TOTS
What’s It all about?
The styles your kids need
this season
The step by step for
seasonal meals
Keep the kids entertained
Photos from the distant and
not so distant past
39GALLERY
Our new photo gallery of all the happenings round the country. This edition includes, The Yellow Flag Programme, Exchange House Educational Awards, Climbing
Carrauntoohil Mountain
44
Wedding Feature
46
exploring the past
All the photos from the big
day
Travellers according to the Gmelchs Day, Ballinasloe
Youth Service
51PHOTO OF THE MONTH
What’s caught our eye?
EDITOR Michael Power email: [email protected]
Deputy editor Miriam Keirns email: [email protected]
Reporters Tracie Joyce: [email protected], Galway Reporter:
Margaret Corcoran Carr, Western Reporter: Martin Ward,
Southern Reporter: Marguerite McCarthy
Communications David Murphy: [email protected]
Subscriptions David Ward: [email protected]
Advertising Leah Quinn: [email protected]
issn 1393 - 502X issue 96 Winter 2014
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County Roscommon. Telephone: 090 6498017
1
small talk
ROSCOMMON
TRAVELLER
HEALTH
PROGRAMME
Táirí
Mental Health
Reform: Ethnic
minorities and mental
health.
The national coalition Mental Health
Reform has launched a paper
highlighting the importance of
improving access to mental health
services for people from ethnic minority
backgrounds, including Travellers. Mental
Health Reform Director Dr Shari McDaid
explains: “The government mental health
policy A Vision for Change calls for
mental health services to be provided
in a culturally sensitive way. As Ireland’s
population becomes more ethnically
diverse, it is important that mental health
services meet the needs of the whole
community. People from ethnic minority
groups have a higher risk of developing
severe mental health difficulties such
as post-traumatic stress disorder and
psychosis. In addition, the Traveller
community and those from other ethnic
minorities are known to be at increased
risk of experiencing poverty, social
exclusion, racism and discrimination – all
factors which may negatively impact on
their mental health.”
Reform, Nessa Childers MEP, Dr John
Hillery, Director of Communications and
Public Education, College of Psychiatrists
of Ireland, Róisín Thurstan, Health
Promotion Coordinator, Michael Collins,
Traveller activist and actor and Emilia
Marchelewska, Integration Project Leader,
Cairde.
Mental Health Reform is a national
coalition of 48 member organisations
and promotes improved mental health
services and social inclusion of people
with mental health difficulties in Ireland.
Speakers at the launch included: Dr
Shari McDaid, Director of Mental Health
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLOG ON TO: www.Mentalhealthreform.ie
“My name
is Thomas
McDonagh
and I live
in Ennis. I
a
m
aged 12. T
is a photo
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of the wag
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and sulky
my father,
Bernie Mc
Donagh, m
for me. M
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re
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making th
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the olden
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football an
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When Moh
Ali was in
ammed
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to meet h
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im and sh
ake his ha
nd.”
2
Travellers' Voice
Earlier this year, County Roscommon
Traveller Health Programme hosted
the graduation of Community
Health Workers through the Primary
Healthcare Programme. The
graduation, which formed part of
the Traveller Pride 2014 festivities,
celebrated the contribution that
Travellers make both within their
own communities and to Irish society
as a whole.
The programme which saw the
group take part in a wide variety
of health related topics is funded
under the Traveller Health Unit,
HSE West and managed under
Roscommon LEADER Partnership.
The Primary Healthcare Programme
training was funded by Galway
Roscommon Education and Training
Board who provided tutor hours and
materials along with other supports
throughout the course. The master
of ceremonies on the day was Elma
Nerney, Director of Adult Education,
(Roscommon) Galway Roscommon
Training and Education Board. Elma
congratulated the group on their
hard work, dedication to learning
and their passion for health. She
also spoke about the importance of
Adult Education for those who may
return to education after a long time.
A significant element of the Primary
healthcare programme was the
inter-agency approach which led to
greater outcomes for all students.
After the graduation the crowd were
entertained by Kelly Mongan of The
Voice of Ireland. Kelly preformed
a number of songs and a great
time was had by all. Additional
entertainment was provided by
Chloe Mongan, Siobhan Mongan,
Deanna Flanagan and Kathleen
McDonagh Community Health
Worker, Mayo Traveller Support
Group.
P
ratification of Chloe Dwyer and Jodie
Quill as DTP’s representatives on
Donegal Youth Council. The Council is
a group of 36 young people aged 12 to
17 years who represent the views and
opinions of young people throughout
Donegal.
articipants in Donegal
Travellers Project’s (DTP)
TravTeen Gaisce Programme
recently climbed Ireland’s
highest mountain together as a means
of building their leadership skills.
The group accomplished the
challenging and scenic climb to the
summit of Kerry’s Carrauntoohil
Mountain, elevation 1,038 metres, in
3.5 hours.
Youth councillors also identify issues
affecting young people and promote
projects to improve the quality of
young people’s lives. Chloe and Jodie,
whose terms on the Council will be for
two years, said they’d been interested
in becoming youth councillors for a
number of reasons. “It’s a way to get
involved and to meet new people,”
Jodie said. “We also wanted to help get
a good word out about Travellers,”
Chloe said.
Images of the climb can be found on
page 48.
The climbers included Chloe Dwyer,
Jodie Quill, John Ward, Michael Ward,
and Michael Ward, who were
accompanied by Involve Youth Worker
John McGee and DTP Youth Worker
Caitríona Kelly.
Group members had previously
climbed Mt. Errigal in Donegal and
Croagh Patrick in Mayo together.
Other leadership achievements by
group members include the recent
3
small talk
Creagh
National
School Attains
Yellow Flag
Award
Creagh national school in Ballinasloe Co.
Galway has achieved the coveted yellow
flag award. The yellow flag programme
was created to inspire schools to
participate in a national programme of
interculturalism and to celebrate diversity.
Creagh School has always been an allinclusive school that has continuously
come up with initiatives to ensure all of its
pupils feel not only welcome in the school,
but a treasured part of the school. Over
the years Creagh School has included in
its calendar of events the many different
national celebrations of its diverse
population which includes children from
27 different countries.
The school’s application for the yellow flag
began in September 2013. A committee
comprised of teachers, students, parents
and Principal Stephanie Keating
embarked on a journey which culminated
in an evaluation in June by a yellow flag
assessment team which led to Creagh
being granted the yellow flag award.
Many meetings were held to plan events
throughout the school year; some of the
highlights were the International fashion
show, the Tastes of the World day and the
Children helping Children Project
through which students from 6th class
raised €4400 for their friends in Tanzania.
Other highlights were yellow flag art
competitions, a diversity code competition
and a workshop delivered by members of
The Traveller Movement. This workshop
provided a very valuable learning
experience for the children and had a
huge impact on them.
It was at the evaluation stage that the
committee members truly shone. They
offered a tour of the school placing
particular emphasis on
the
designated
diversity
area and
display
areas.
Members
spoke
passionately
about their
learning
experience in
celebrating
diversity and
creating
awareness
around ethnicity and diversity.
The assessment team were even treated to
some beautiful singing by student David
Ward.
The Yellow Flag committee travelled to
Liberty Hall in Dublin last month where
they received their Yellow Flag Award.
They set up an interactive stall,
showcasing their stylish international
dress and Creagh student David Ward
sang making it a truly celebratory
experience.
Women
The statistics on Traveller women and
children affected by domestic violence in
this country make for pretty disturbing
reading. Did you know, according to The
Women’s Health Council’s 2009 study,
‘Translating Pain into Action,’ ‘Traveller
women make up 0.5% of population but
represent 15% of service users,’ sending
the clear message that violence of some
form is part and parcel of the day to day
lives of many Irish Traveller women.
EMPOWERING
Women
By Miriam Patterson & Margaret Corcoran-Carr
Galway Traveller Movement health
workers Martina O’Brien and Jane Ward
are actively involved in a campaign to
raise awareness of domestic violence
against women through their Primary
Healthcare Programme. The ladies also
strive to create opportunities to identify
barriers relating to dealing with domestic
violence and continue to explore ways to
change service users’ current situations.
“We recognise that violence against
women is a violation of women’s human
rights and has a powerful impact on
women and children’’ says Martina
One of the dedicated organisations where
those affected by domestic abuse can seek
help is Women’s Aid who celebrated their
annual ’16 Days of Action,’ campaign
between 25th November to 10th
December. This campaign seeks to ask
supporters to show solidarity with those 1
in 5 women across Ireland who are
affected by domestic violence during their
lifetime and specifically spans these dates
in order to include UN International Day
of Elimination of Violence against women
and Human Rights Day. It also gives
individuals and groups like Galway
Traveller Movement and Irish Traveller
Movement the opportunity to lobby
government for change in order to
eliminate violence against all women as a
human rights issue.
Yellow Flag Facilitator for Creagh national
school us Shane Dolan and Link Teacher
Caroline Gallagher.
By Margaret Corcoran-Carr
Our lovely Leah Quinn is
pictured with students
from Scoil Na gCeithre
Maistri primary school,
Athlone, including son
Kian, who held a ‘Jersey
Day,’ event and raised a
whopping €400 for Leah’s
One event planned was the National
Balloon Action where groups of five
balloons, four purple and one white
showcasing the 1 in 5 logo were released or
displayed within communities.
For more information/support log onto
www.womensaid.ie or
www.safeireland.ie
charity The Niall Mellon
Township Trust Building
Blitz. A huge ‘thank you,’
goes out to all students,
teachers, Principal Ida and
Maura Dowling. For more
information log on to
www.nmtownshiptrust.com
4
Travellers’ Voice
5
Neven
cover story
Maguire
Award winning Master Chef Neven Maguire takes time out of
his hectic life to speak to Travellers’ Voice magazine.
By Tracie Joyce
F
rom the tender age of sixteen I have
wanted to meet my culinary idol,
Ireland’s most trusted chef Neven
Maguire. I was lucky enough to get
that chance earlier this month when I caught
up with Ireland’s favourite chef at his
sumptuous MacNean house and restaurant in
Blacklion, Co Cavan where Neven and wife
Amelda promise guests the best food and
hospitality Ireland has to offer.
Sipping coffee with the busy dad of
two, I asked Neven to recall his childhood
memories of cooking. “It would have to be
baking with my mother when I was around 8
or 9 years old. From shortbread to apple tart
I would bake everything. My first savoury
dish was a beef casserole. I loved to cook no
matter what it was I just wanted to join in.”
Says Neven.
Chatting about his school going years
I asked Neven why he chose to leave
Secondary School immediately after his
junior certificate. “I just knew that being a
chef was what I wanted to be. I applied for
Killybegs College and I didn’t get accepted.
So I decided to apply for Fermanagh College
and got accepted. I was delighted about that
because I was very focused on what I wanted
to do with my life, and I knew there was
nothing else I wanted to do more. Having
said that, I never thought the restaurant
would be the success it is today, and with fifty
five people employed and it being booked
out for months at a time, I have to say it’s
brilliant.”
When the conversation turns towards
Neven and Amelda’s twins Lucia and
Connor, the doting dad’s eyes immediately
light up. “They are just brilliant, I love them
they make me so happy. They’re three next
February so at the minute we have a small
toy kitchen where I flip pancakes for them.
It’s just a bit of fun. However, one of the more
important aspects to cooking food is making
sure we cook healthy nutritious meals so
my twins have a good range throughout the
week. It’s important to get them used to new
and different flavours so they enjoy their food.
I’d love to get them cooking and baking next
year, and it will be a lot more fun as they’ll be
a little older and will understand more. I love
to watch them develop.”
We work so well
together, and our
team are really
great, we wouldn’t
be as successful
as we are today
without them, they
are not just my
team, they are my
family.
7
cover story
RECIPE:
Running a restaurant and being a
celebrity chef is sure to be hard work
so I asked Neven how he manages it all.
“Amelda takes care of the business side of
things so from the wages to the bookkeeping;
she keeps it all together. But cooking is only
one part of it; there are many more important
parts such as the housekeeping, the ambiance
and so much more but it’s all good because we
work so well together and our team are really
great, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are
today without them, they are not just my
team, they are my family. We have very high
expectations from the public and we have to
live up to them.” Explains Neven.
Neven has recently released his latest
book, ‘The Nation’s Favourite Food Fast,’
where he’s devised 100 new everyday
family recipes. “It’s probably the most
successful book I’ve ever written. It’s the
number one cook book in Ireland and the
number one best seller. It has been the earliest
cook book I’ve ever released. Normally it’s
October when cook books are launched
because it’s important to have them out
that time of year but this one was released
in September and it’s amazing how much
difference a month makes. I’m delighted with
it to say the least.”
Eager to get a bit of expert cooking
advice, I asked Neven if he would share
some of his top tips with Travellers’ Voice
readers. “It’s great to cook with the seasons
in order to get the best flavor and best price.
Cook simple meals and always go to your
local butcher for the best quality cut meats
and the best value. Also you should learn to
use different cooking techniques whether it’s
making a stir fry or a meat casserole; trying
new techniques is always good.”
Tucking into a dessert quartet of tasty
apple treats, the conversation quickly gets
round to Neven’s cookery school. “I opened
the cooking school in January this year; it was
always a dream of mine and it’s a really great
experience. It holds 14 people max so it’s
small and intimate, but I’m so happy with it.
It doesn’t open unless I’m there, for example,
because I’ve been recording my new television
show it wasn’t open this month. My head chef
also works there with me and that’s a great
help. We find our ‘back to basics’ and our
‘cooking for entertainment for friends and
8
Travellers’ Voice
Brussels sprout and dried
cranberry salad from The
Nation’s Favourite Food Fast!
family courses’ are among our most popular.
I also had a few half day classes with parents
and their children and that was lovely.”
Speaking of the new TV show, Neven
Maguire: Home Chef, due to hit our screens
early in the New Year, Neven tells us he’s
been busy meeting fellow culinary experts
from across the globe. “I’ve been recording
what will be my seventh series with RTE for
the last few months. I travelled to Dubai and
cooked for 200-300 people and as the series
is based both in Ireland and overseas, I think
it will be a really good show for my fans. I’ve
thoroughly enjoyed meeting other chefs and
the members of the public; it’s been a great
experience. On a personal note, I think it’s
very important to stick to your local butcher
and other local shops as it’s very important
and you will always get the best value for your
money and the best produce.
You will need
Serves 4250g (9oz) Brussels sprouts,
well-trimmed
50g (2oz) dried cranberries
2 tbsp. snipped fresh chives
25g (1oz) toasted flaked almonds
French dressing: 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
Pinch of caster sugar
4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 small garlic clove, crushed
Half tbsp. Dijon mustard
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
1.This is an excellent way of serving Brussels
sprouts that everyone will enjoy. It lasts very
well in the fridge, so it’s a great dish to make
around the festive season.
2.To make the French dressing, place the
vinegar in a screw-top jar and add the sugar
and a good pinch of salt, then shake until
the sugar has dissolved. Add the oil to the
jar with the garlic and mustard and shake
again until a thick emulsion has formed.
Season to taste and set aside until needed.
3.Cut the Brussels sprouts on a mandolin so
that they are very finely shredded. Fold in
enough of the French dressing to lightly coat
and then fold in the cranberries and chives.
Serve at once scattered with the almonds or
keep in the fridge until needed.
Living and operating his restaurant in
the Blacklion area has proved to be a great
decision for the Maguire family; especially as
MacNean House and Restaurant which is the
recipient of Georgina Campbell’s prestigious
‘Restaurant of the Year,’ award 2007 is close to
a championship golf course, luxurious walks
and cycling routes, angling and spectacular
scenery, is it any wonder leading food writer
Georgina Campbell describes it as “a national
treasure.”
“My cooking
school doesn’t
open unless I’m
there...”
EL
BRUSS ND
TA
SPROU ED
DRI
BERRY
N
A
R
C
SALAD
9
feature
Soyou want
to be aModel?
By Sarah-Jane Dunne
AModel
Image
I’ve done underwear and bikini
shoots and when I posted
my pictures on Facebook I
was terrified of the kind of
feedback I would receive…
by Natalie Ward
M
odelling is a tough industry
and if you’re interested in
pursuing it as a career, you
need to be dedicated,
confident and you need to have a tough
skin. I’ve been modelling since I was 18
years old. I started entering pageants
because I saw it as a good way to network
and build contacts within the industry
and as I’ve always had a keen interest in
fashion, it seemed the right route for me
to take career wise.
The first item on the agenda for all
budding models is to build up a
portfolio. I would advise joining
photography and modelling groups on
social media, for example Facebook or
even LinkedIn; that way you can meet
like-minded people and view the quality
of their work online. However, if you
agree to meet with a photographer or set
up a photo shoot, please do take
precautions. We all know the World
Wide Web can be an amazing
networking tool, however, it can also
contain some misleading information
and people may not always represent
themselves in a truthful manner.
My advice would be to look for friends
you may have in common, ask for
testimonials/references and check them
out also bring a trusted friend/family
member along with you to any photo
shoots/meetings. Don’t get too
disheartened if you get it slightly wrong
the first time you pose in front of the
camera, it takes time and effort. I’ve
become quite the professional, however
I’ve had plenty of practice when it comes
to presenting myself and I know how to
take direction.
10
Travellers’ Voice
It’s worth remembering there is usually
a standard height for catwalk/fashion
modelling and while I stand at 5’9” I
wouldn’t let it put me off if I were a bit
shorter as there are plenty of other
areas where models are required, so do
your research. For example, for beauty
pageants like Miss Ireland, where I
was proud to be a recent contestant,
there are no height restrictions.
When modelling, try to present
yourself as a blank canvas and keep
your look natural and neutral,
especially when taking part in a
runway show or attending a casting.
Being natural means stripping back
the fake tan, keeping the make up to
a minimum and no over fussy hair
styles. It’s also important to present
a fit and healthy physique. To do
this you need to eat a healthy
balanced diet and get lots of
exercise; your doctor or nutritionist
will be best able to advise you as to
what’s best for your body type.
If you choose to enter pageants like
Miss Ireland etc., then why not
look at their Facebook page and
website and keep yourself up to
date with events they are
organising and their entry criteria
etc.,
When
modelling,
try to present
yourself as a
blank canvas and
keep your look
natural and
neutral
M
y name is Natalie Ward and I’m
a 24 year old Traveller girl from
Dublin. Growing up I always
had high hopes of becoming a
model. Lacking in confidence, I thought this
would stop me from achieving my dreams but
I had to push my fears aside and build up my
self- esteem because I knew if I didn’t, I would
be held back from having the life I wanted.
There are not many Traveller girls who are
signed to model agencies and when I started
modelling I was very worried because I didn’t
want to be judged as a Traveller; I wanted to
be judged on my image and merit. However, I
was afraid of rejection. When I did get
accepted by an agency I didn’t suffer any
discrimination then, nor have I since. I got
signed easily as my friend was a make-up
artist who needed a model to practice on and
when the photographs were developed I sent
them off to different agencies. Four days later
I got a call from an agency in London. I have
now been a qualified model for the past 9
months and I really enjoy it. My advice to
people would be, if you have a dream follow it
because you don’t want to live with regret in
years to come.”
I’m always looking to be signed by new agents
and I’m not afraid to try anything as long as
it’s not nudity. I have done underwear and
bikini shoots and when I posted my pictures
on Facebook I was terrified of the kind of
feedback I would receive as this would not be
a common thing for a Traveller girl to do. I
did suffer some abuse from people on
Facebook telling me I should be ashamed
putting pictures like that on my page and it
nearly made me give up but the support my
friends gave to me made me realise that no
matter what you do in your life, you will face
negativity, so I continued to post my pictures.
I have tried to give advice to other Traveller
girls interested in modelling and I find a lot of
them are embarrassed to do it. They are in
fear of other Travellers thinking they should
feel ashamed for doing this type work. Also a
lot of young girls won’t pursue careers as
models because they are too concerned with
getting married.
Travellers’ Voice would
like to wish Natalie
every success for the
future.
My idols would have to be Kate Moss and
Janice Dickinson, I’m open to try out for any
agency and I am really looking forward to my
future career in modelling. I’m
planning
to try
out for
Miss
Ireland
next year
as I have
acquired
more
knowledge
regarding
what it
involves. If
anyone is
interested in
contacting
me for advice
on modeling
they can find
me on
Facebook.
“I was
terrified
when I put
my first bikini
photograph
online, as I didn’t
know what
the outcome
would be”
11
feature
We’re Feelin’ the Love for
Y
the Lads
ou can almost feel the
electricity in the air the
second John Connors, James
Ward and young Jake
Connors walk into the room.
I’m sitting in the Hilton hotel’s stylish
lobby, located just off Dublin’s Malahide
Road, sipping a latte when all of a sudden
the air becomes thick with ladies who
lunch grappling deep inside the silky folds
of their designer handbags to hurriedly
locate mobile ‘phones, desperate to take a
celebrity ‘selfie,’ with TV’s latest but
lovable bad boys.
The trio, whose infectious energy of
possibility, self-assurance and quietly
confident but exemplary manners display
all the characteristics of men who have just
cracked the secret of living life as balanced,
whole and fulfilled human beings, not to
mention local heroes; happily oblige and
smile for the cameras.
Celebrating their roles in RTE’s hugely
successful, award winning drama Love/
Hate the trio joke that this cult show has
become something of a family affair. John
(24) plays pipe bomber Patrick, his real life
cousin Jake (11) plays on screen son
Brandon and relative James (34) pops up as
a gang member Martin, all united in their
quest to destroy their nemeses the evil
Nigel Delaney aka Nidge, played by their
friend, actor Tom Vaughan Lawlor.
By Miriam Patterson
Within minutes one gets the impression
that if these three highly respected actors
were more conventional they’d be media
savvy and desperate to display an air of
unapproachability, strolling around
Dublin whilst being flanked by minders
and flunkies, but this is not their intention
nor is it their style. Instead, their dream is
to utilise their particular skills and new
found celebrity status garnered in the field
of acting to promote a positive image of
life as a member of Ireland’s Traveller
Community.
John, who is a settled Traveller living in
Dublin’s Darndale, isn’t happy to rest on
his newly acquired laurels and revealed to
Travellers’ Voice how, now that filming for
the current series of Love/Hate has come
to an end, he is quietly gearing up for
nationwide recognition as a script writer.
“I’ve written and am starring in Cardboard
Gangsters. It’s a short movie about a group
of young men who become fascinated by
gang culture.” And of course, keeping it
close to home, the movie, which is being
made by independent production company
Octagon Films is being shot entirely on
location around John’s home ground in
Darndale where he’s earned the respect of
his friends, family and peers. However this
hasn’t always been the case.
I was in a
bit of a dark
place; acting
has opened up a
whole new world
for me.
“I was in a bit of a dark place and wasn’t sure which
direction my life was going at one stage; but then I went to
the Abbey School of Acting and after my first class there I
knew I loved it and had the bug. Acting has opened up a
whole new world for me. Of course I kept the fact I was
acting to myself for a while because I thought I’d get
slagged; I was obsessed with the thought of what people
would think, but then I got to the point where I didn’t
care anymore.” Confides John.
It was a chance meeting with Love/Hate writer Stuart
Carolan that gave John his big break. “Stuart saw two
films I’d appeared in, ‘Stalker’ and ‘King of the Travellers’
and he approached me.” The rest, as they say in Tinsel
Town, is history. Some months later, just when John had
thought Carolan had forgotten about him, he received an
email from the writer saying he’d written the part of
Traveller Patrick especially for him. But how does John
feel about being a Traveller portraying a Traveller?
12
Travellers’ Voice
It’s not ok to do the things I do
on screen.
“I’m not typecast. In fact I’ve got a
supporting role in RTE’s new drama
‘Charlie’ about the life of former Taoiseach
Charles Haughey but you’ll have to watch it
to see which part I play.” He says with a
cheeky grin that almost melts the heart of
the adoring dewy eyed female clamouring to
get his attention. Ah everybody loves a bad
boy and this one is certainly going places.
With Love/Hate set to dominate the Irish
Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) next
year, we’ve heard a rumour John’s
unflinching portrayal of hard man pipe
bomber/dedicated family man and grieving
dad is high on the list to receive the coveted
trophy. “An IFTA nomination would be an
honour considering it’s the Irish awards and
I’m a very proud Irish man. Win or lose, it
would still be a great honour.” But what
about Hollywood? “Ah, Hollywood? Who
cares, so long as I get to do what I love,
which is acting.” Smiles John.
Understanding that you can achieve
anything once you believe in yourself; even
if that outcome may be a bit uncertain, John,
James and Jake all know that once you
increase your confidence, you automatically
increase your chances of success. Perhaps
that’s the reason young Jake, with the
flawless film star looks guaranteed to make
every mother want to adopt him (I know I
wanted to run away with him) has already
been snapped up to model clothing designed
by fashion giants Gucci and Armani. The
youngster, who attends Our Lady of
Immaculate national school certainly
displays a keen eye for fashion and is
immaculately turned out from the tips of his
perfectly groomed, boy band hair to his
impeccable shoes, indeed this adorable
young man is a true credit to his family.
And while we are on the subject of
adorable, there’s nothing sexier than
a man whose eyes light up the
second he talks about his wife and
kiddies. Dad of four, James Ward
whose wife Margaret is “extremely
supportive” of his acting career says
he is “very cautious” when it comes
to allowing his children Kevin (17),
James (13) Margaret (12) and
Dylan (10) watch his violent scenes
in Love/Hate. “I like to explain to
my kids that it’s not ok to do the
things I do on screen. I have to
make sure they know I am only
acting.” Says James who disclosed
two of his sons are battling with
life limiting conditions. “Dylan
has Mitochondrial Disease but
he is getting stronger and James
has a lung condition as a result
of contracting pneumonia when
he was a baby. Both boys attend
St Michael’s House in Raheny
and James has just been
granted his wish to meet actor,
producer and professional
wrestler Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock.”
We can only imagine the excitement at the
family’s Glin Grove home in Dublin’s
Coolock.
James has instilled a strong sense of
Traveller culture into his family; wishing to
educate and empower all of his children,
however when it comes to daughter
Margaret, this doting dad, who lost his own
mum when he was 16, quickly followed by
his dad’s death when James was 19, doesn’t
believe in pushing his only girl into
marrying someone from the Traveller
community and has no problems with her
following
her own heart. “It wouldn’t
bother me if she came home one day with a
settled person or a Traveller, once he loved
her, treated her with respect and kindness
and made her happy.” He says honestly.
Armed with a strong determination to
continue to make their mark, James says he
would like to find work acting in the Theatre
while John is happiest stepping in front of
the camera, as for Jake, with his flawless
model looks; it appears that life working on
the lucrative catwalk definitely beckons.
Thomas Collins
Many young men know they want to enter
the competitive world of show business but
most don’t a clue how to go about taking
that first crucial step. Popular actor
Thomas Collins (23) first caught the bug 8
years ago when he got bit parts in Dublin’s
Fringe Festival and starred in crime
reconstructions for TV3’s ’24 Hours to Kill.’
Perhaps this prepared him for his role of
junkie turned born again Christian and
forced but failed assassin who didn’t quite
have that killer instinct Packy in RTE’s
Love/Hate. “Ha ha yeah, those scenes on 24
Hours to Kill certainly helped a bit and I
wouldn’t mind it was John Connors (who
plays Packy’s target Patrick in the series)
who encouraged me to audition for the role
and then they told me to shoot him.” Jokes
Thomas.
I caught up with this busy, bubbly and
lovable actor as he took a stroll through
Dublin’s stylish Temple Bar; he told me how
his love of all things surrounding today’s
competitive and highly charged world of
showbiz spurred him to step out of the so
called norm and try something different.
“I’ve been to camera boot camp workshops
and studied youth theatre as a kid in
Ballymun and during all that time I had
the full support of my friends and family
and this has helped give me the confidence
to get out there and do it.”
has been killed off in a highly violent and
emotionally charged beating and throat
cutting scene by real life pal John Connors’
character Patrick, what’s next on the
agenda for city centre based Thomas? “I’m
working on a film which is being shot in
Galway and is set for release in 2015. It’s
called The Pigman Murders 2 and I play
Aidan which is a non-traveller role.” He
explains excitedly, and while realism is the
key when casting for specific roles it’s
rewarding to see that talent like Thomas’ is
being utilised in other areas, giving him an
opportunity to flex his acting muscles and
play a wider range of roles/characters
without the fear of becoming typecast.
Now that his Love/Hate character Packy
13
awards
PAVEE GAA
A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME
By David Jo Murphy
P
avee GAA isn’t just a Gaelic football
team; they’re an institution with a
proud heritage. With roots dating
back to the 1970’s, the team has had
some of the leading figures of the Irish
Traveller movement involved with them
down through the decades.
Travellers’ Voice met up with Paddy
McDonnell and his lovely family at their
home in Balbriggan’s North County Dublin
to get the latest news in the continuing story
of Pavee GAA. The team is a family affair for
Paddy; coached by his dad (Paddy Snr) three
of his brothers James, Johnny and Kieran are
also players. Readers may recognise Johnny
from his involvement with Irish Traveller TV
and as a contributor on Newstalk Radio
discussing Traveller mental health.
The team boasts some of the country’s
leading figures in the history and
development of Pavee GAA including Major
Joyce, Bill Shelley and Fr Paddy Kelly, a
dedicated priest who has celebrated religious
services for Travellers going back several
decades.
Pavee GAA isn’t just a
Gaelic football team
The club’s home ground is strategically
located at Hart’s Corner in North Dublin,
close to Glasnevin cemetery making it widely
accessible as the team are keen to generate
plenty of support. And, if you fancy your
chances and would like to take part, Pavee
GAA is open to recruiting new players.
However, if anyone thinks playing in
Division 10 means an easy match, think
again. Paddy tells me “Division 10 always
features new teams and dedicated young
players who’ve been playing all their lives but
who’ve just turned old enough and are about
to be snapped up by bigger teams”.
Formed just over eighteen months ago, the
14
Travellers’ Voice
A winning lineup at this
years National Education
Achievement Awards
current team has
been on a steep learning curve. Last year
they beat more experienced teams and rose
to third position in the league; an extremely
impressive showing for a new club, especially
when one considers it’s a squad that features
some members who have never played any
GAA before.
I asked Paddy what were some of his
favourite matches. He says, “One match I’ll
never forget was a cup match against Fingal
Ravens. People didn’t think we’d do well, it
was a tough game but we beat them in the
end”. Paddy remembers that match fondly
and it’s in those very moments all that
training on cold, wet evenings, the injuries
and the heated debates over tactics, all pay
off.
Given that health is such a pressing issue for
many Travellers, Paddy is a great example to
all, highlighting the many ways in which
sport can keep a person fit and healthy. The
team also provide opportunities to give
something back to the community whilst
promoting a positive, aspirational image of
Travellers. Don’t believe us? Check out
Paddy’s photo in The Originals; Traveller
Men’s Calendar.
The story of Pavee GAA is one of triumph
THE EXCHANGE HOUSE
over adversity, and not just on the pitches.
The team are keen advocates and supporters
of the National Traveller Suicide Prevention
Service who provide their sponsorship.
“There’s still plenty of space on the jersey for
more sponsorship and we’d like to get
funding for an away jersey and training
jacket”. Laughs Paddy. So, if you’re a
business or service provider and you’d like to
sponsor the team, get in touch with them via
their Facebook page or contact us through
the magazine and we’ll start the ball rolling.
Or if you fancy getting involved and meeting
a great bunch of lads they’re always on the
lookout for new players!
However, this is a sad time for the team; a
key member is no longer with them. Pavee
GAA and Travellers’ Voice would like to
extend their deepest sympathies to the family
and friends of Bernie McDonagh who passed
away recently. Paddy tells us that “during the
early 1990’s Bernie was Pavee GAA’s corner
back. Bernie played in the number 2 jersey
and at his recent funeral that jersey covered
Bernie’s coffin on his final journey”.
NATIONAL EDUCATION
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
T
he Exchange House National
Education Achievement Award
(NEAA) awards took place on
October 24th 2014 at the Venue,
Wood Quay in Dublin. The event was
attended by over 150 members of the
community from throughout Ireland. Over
forty Traveller students were there to receive
their awards for academic achievement along
with proud parents, siblings, extended
families, teachers, tutors and friends.
Our guest of honour for the evening was
Councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh, representing
the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who added her
congratulations during her keynote speech.
Sarah Jane Dunne was on hand to present
the awards and to offer words of
encouragement and shared her own
academic achievements. Sarah Jane is a
person of many achievements and a role
model for all the recipients of the Exchange
House Educational Achievement award.
We at Exchange House feel privileged each
year to host the event which sees Travellers
from all over the island of Ireland come
together to celebrate their academic success
and to support and encourage other
Travellers who follow their own personal
academic journeys. “It was a fantastic night
and you could clearly see the unlimited
potential of the recipients and the joy of their
families”, remarked Cathleen McDonagh
Clark, Education Service Manager, Exchange
House.
society congratulating recipients on their
success. We would like to thank, once again,
our colleagues from the other national
Traveller organisations for lending their
words of wisdom, support and
congratulations to the award winners.
Exchange House CEO, Catherine Morley,
said “We have only one purpose here tonight
and that is to celebrate your achievement and
to take this opportunity to say WELL DONE
to you, to your families and to everyone who
has supported you to achieve.”
The evening was rounded off with an
exciting raffle in which seven of the award
recipients won phones, a laptop and an iPad.
Check out images from the
awards on Pages 51 and 51
A video ‘#WellDone’ was launched on the
night which saw people from all parts of Irish
15
feature
The
The Originals
A new era for Traveller men
Z The Originals Calendar
Cover
Originals
by Tracie Joyce
A
new era for Traveller men has
dawned with the creation of
‘The Originals’a unique and exciting calendar
photo shoot that took place in Picturehouse
Photography, Dublin. The inspiration and motivation
behind the calendar came from Michael Power, Editor
of Travellers’ Voice magazine who organised and
facilitated the shoot with the eleven Traveller men
involved. I caught up with Michael and asked him what
motivated him to do this shoot? He had this to say, “As
a Traveller man I find it can be incredibly frustrating as
we are constantly bombarded with negative
representation of our community especially when it
comes to the men and their portrayal in some tabloid
publications. The calendar was designed mainly to
combat those images by presenting positive role models
from within the community. I felt the project should
feature men who are proud of their Traveller culture
but who also go against the stereotype of what they are
expected to be.” Explains Michael.
Finding Traveller men to participate in the shoot
couldn’t have been easy, especially when it came to
getting them all together in the one place. “I wanted a
nomination process where the guys would be chosen by
their peers. It can sometimes be difficult for men to see
their personal achievements regarding their work or
education as a good representation. However, once the
call went out I pretty much had the calendar men
candidates within a couple of weeks. The group of guys
that came on board all had one common view, they
knew that by being Travellers they had a negative
image and each one wanted that to change that. The
calendar simply provided them with a platform.” Says
Michael.
part, Michael says he was extremely happy with the
outcome. “There were a couple of moments where I felt
it was too ambitious a project to complete within the
three week timeframe but it all fell together nicely. I
think the task would have been more difficult without
the help of the wonderful stylists and crew working in
Arnotts in Dublin who pulled out all the stops on the
day to make the shoot the great success it was.”
I felt the project
should feature men
who are proud
of their Traveller
culture but who
also go against the
stereotype of what
they are expected
to be.
The photo shoot, which caused great excitement among
the lads, proved really popular with all the participants
saying how “privileged,” they felt to be invited to take
Travellers’ Voice
The Calendar
Men
Z
16
17
feature
Martin Lee
When I arrived at the Picturehouse studio the air was
thick with excitement and anticipation, as the men were
being styled by the crew from Arnotts but I managed to pull
some of them aside for a brief interview. I got chatting with
Martin Lee an anthropologist and cultural awareness trainer
from England who travelled to Dublin for the shoot.
Appearing as Mr August, Martin told us why he chose to
take part in the calendar. “I was honoured to be accepted to
take part because it was a way for me to change the
perceptions people have of Travellers both in Ireland and the
UK. Being a Gypsy in England is not easy when you’re
facing day to day discrimination so when opportunities to
change people’s views arise I try to grab them with both
hands. I think having eleven Traveller men come together
for such a great event is brilliant. It shows each one of us
want the same outcome from the calendar. I really enjoyed
meeting with all the men and I think Michael should be
given a lot of credit for organising this. I’m looking forward
to seeing the calendar when it’s completed so it can show
other Travellers and non -Travellers that just because we
were brought up differently we can still come together and
make a stand. If it changes the mind of at least one person
then our job is done,” says Martin.
Christopher Hand
Daniel O’Leary
Christopher Hand, a Youth worker from Navan is no
stranger to being interviewed for Travellers’ Voice magazine.
Filled with a sense of pride, Christopher was thrilled to be our
Mr September and says he got involved through his Youth
Project group who nominated him. “I thought it was a
brilliant idea and when I was told I had been nominated I felt
very honoured and proud. I was really delighted to be able to
tell the children at the project and they were very proud of me
too. Discrimination against Travellers is ongoing but
Christopher remains positive things will change. “I doubt it
will ever fully disappear, but in saying that I would like to
hope this calendar will change people’s minds and make
them see the positives in eleven Traveller men coming
together in this light. Also the fact that it’s been organised by
a Traveller man is great incentive,” says Christopher who
hopes it will encourage Traveller men to get involved in
similar events. “I would like to see others stepping up to do
events like this but because of the negative image generated
by the media not a lot of them would do it. It would be nice if
people from all communities could see those who got
involved in this shoot as positive role models and hopefully it
changes their minds and one day discrimination will be a
thing of the past.” Says Christopher.
There was a distinct buzz in the air when I spoke with
Daniel O’Leary, our Mr April. The youth leader, who
hails from Carlow was very excited and honoured to be
nominated to take part. “I’ve never done anything like
this before and thought it was very exciting. Travellers’
Voice is a great magazine and l’m delighted to represent
Carlow in the calendar and to get myself out there and
meet all the other Travellers who are here today. What a
bonus.” Says Daniel. Speaking of discrimination, Daniel
says it’s something that Travellers’ face, and feels it’s
possibly due to negative media coverage. “I think when
people see this calendar they might not tar us all with
the same brush, and that would be a very positive
outcome. I don’t face much discrimination myself but
I’ve seen what it can do to those who do, so I’d really like
that to change,” says Daniel whose highlight of the day
was making some new friends. “I can’t wait to see the
calendar when it’s done and I’d like to thank Michael
Power for organising this and Travellers’ Voice for
including us all in it,” said Daniel.
This calendar was produced by Travellers’ Voice
Magazine and Involve Ltd., with funding from
the Department of Justice and Equality.
18
Travellers’ Voice
19
feature
The Lazy Chef:
A One to Watch!
Lamont talks, life, love and laziness!
You’ll always find him in the kitchen at parties...as a punter.
By Miriam Patterson
N
ewcomer Simon
Lamont is definitely
one to watch. This
successful and super
sexy ‘Lazy Chef,’ star of TV3’s
popular cookery series, is a
multitalented professional.
Sitting in the breakfast lounge of
Dublin’s busy Red Cow Moran’s
Hotel the mood quickly turns
spicy as all things festive and
fun become the topic of our
conversation.
Born in Dublin’s Liberties and
raised on songs, stories and the
type of recipes that had him
cooking up a storm at the
tender age of 8, Simon tells me
he qualified as a pastry chef,
hotel manager and culinary
artist in Dublin’s Institute of
Technology, (DIT) and lists the
late lamented Keith Floyd,
cockney rebel Jamie Oliver and
his very own proud Irish
mammy as his influences when
it comes to all things tasty. “I
loved Keith Floyd’s ability to
entertain as well as his ability to
create good food and as soon as
I saw Jamie Oliver on TV when
I was 16 I knew I wanted to
become a chef.” Says the man
whom, until then had a burning
desire to become Luke
Skywalker. “When I told my
career guidance teacher I
wanted to be a Jedi Knight he
said I was mad.” He laughs.
The London based newcomer
whose day job is manager at
Wright Brothers famous oyster
bar has just opened up the wellknown chain’s newest eatery in
Spitalfields adores all things
Eastern/Mediterranean when it
comes to food and, in his own
words, strives to always “cook
20
Travellers’ Voice
from the soul.” However, he
sheepishly admits he’s definitely
a ‘Lazy Chef,’ when it comes to
cooking at home and even
though you’ll always find him in
the kitchen at parties, it’s purely
as a punter. “My girlfriend does
all the cooking,” he says, which
is why travelling around Ireland
with his new TV show has
become something of an “Irish
odyssey” for him.
“I thoroughly enjoyed travelling
around the likes of Cork,
Tipperary, Galway, Kilkenny
and Mayo etc., where I went
deep sea fishing, foraged for
food and on my travels I even
met with the most amazing
farmer who actually plays
classical music for his famous
Wagyu cows so they can relax
while he grooms and massages
them.” Says this hugely
impressed animal lover who
adores the Lamont family’s 14
year old pet Springer Spaniel
Leanbh.
This lazy, yet lovable chef ’s
jaunty manner and ability to not
only cook a classic dish but his
refreshing propensity to tell a
good story and whose
enlightened advice to use
“Whatever is in your fridge,” is
guaranteed to make him a huge
hit with viewers, especially busy
Travellers’ Voice readers who
are planning to host Christmas
for a cast of thousands this year.
Simon believes there shouldn’t
be any pressure to prepare a
culinary masterpiece this festive
season and explains, over my
delicious Americano and his
fizzy water, how he has no
problem opening tins of
Celebrity chef Stuart O’Keefe, who
hails from Tipperary and is best
known for his work on shows such
as ‘Private Chefs of Beverly Hills,’
hadn’t realised it but at the time his
unexpected invitation had
inadvertently thrown his old pal a
lifeline. “There was great banter
between myself and Stuart on the
show and the producer said I was
very good and took my number
with a view to contacting me for
future TV work. This gave me my
confidence back and six weeks later
I got my act together and went to
the UK and thought nothing more
of it.” Says Simon.
Eighteen
months later the
fateful call came in the form of a
Facebook email message from ‘Lazy
Chef,’ producer Fintan Maguire. “I
was invited to do a screen test and I
made an omelette. They said they
wanted a lazy chef and I said hey, I
can totally do lazy.” Laughs Simon.
So, has this laid back cheeky chappy
got any tasty alternative Christmas
lunch suggestions for vegetarians or
those who want to buck the trend
and give turkey and ham a miss this
year? “Absolutely, my roast
butternut squash served with roast
Brussels sprouts is always a winner,”
he boasts. And a cheeky Christmas
cocktail to whet hungry diners’
appetites? “My Bitter Cherry Fizz
ROAST BUTTERNUT
SQUASH
You will need
Large Butternut Squash and Brussels
sprouts.
Large roasting dish.
Black pepper
Sea salt
Olive oil
Fresh breadcrumbs
Nutmeg, cinnamon, thyme, lemon
zest, nuts.
A fresh lemon
Here’s what you do
1.Butter nut squash – skin left intact,
split in half and remove all seeds.
2.Stuff with Lemon Zesty Stuffing
chickpeas
and tomatoes and using dried
rather than freshly picked herbs
in his dishes. However he is
very hands on and will always
purchase his own ingredients;
especially if it involves putting
together a curry from scratch
which he admits is his personal
favourite when it comes to a late
night dish. “I love to throw in a
bit of garlic, ginger, chilli spices,
a bit of meat off the bone, a few
tomatoes, coconut milk and
some veggies and serve it all up
with steamed rice; which, by the
way few people tend to get right
and I think I’ll have to make it
my mission to get Ireland
perfecting the art of cooking
rice.” He laughs suggestively in
that gravelly voice that makes
our waitress rush to see if my
guest needs anything else…
anything
at all!
When the call that started it all
came from TV3, Simon was out
of work, recovering from knee
surgery, grieving over the death
of his beloved granny and the
breakdown
of his then relationship. If that
wasn’t enough, he’d also lost his
flat and was living back home
with mam and dad. “My
girlfriend at the time had just
walked out on me, and this just
added to everything else I was
going through so when the call
came from my friend Stuart to
say ‘hey, what are you doing?
Will you come on my show for
just one episode?’ I said sure
why not.”
BITTER CHERRY
FIZZ
CHRISTMAS
COCKTAIL
You will need
Break out the good champagne
flutes.
Glace cherries.
Cherry liqueur.
Bottle of Campari and some
freshly squeezed orange juice.
Champagne.
1 orange
Castor sugar
Vanilla pod.
Orange sugar – you will need
the zest of an orange and pop it
will leave them wanting more.” He
laughs.
With his show flourishing and his
career blossoming, this culinary
delight now plans to conquer the
world by continuously
experimenting with his
signature ‘lazy chef,’ style of
cooking by staying on
top of trends and
making all the right
connections when it
comes to satisfying
diners’ needs.
MY
BITTER
CHERRY
FIZZ WILL
LEAVE THEM
WANTING
MORE
which is a dash of lemon rind,
fresh breadcrumbs, nuts of your
choice, a sprinkle of nutmeg, a
smidge of cinnamon and some
thyme – fresh or dried.
3.For the roast Brussels sprouts, get a
large bowl and splash in a dash of
olive oil, a good bit of sea salt and a
scrunch of black pepper and mix
together well.
4.Pop the stuffed butternut squash
into a large roasting dish and
around the sides, place the sprout
mix in one layer. Pop the lot into
the oven on a high setting (about
240 degrees) for 21 minutes. (Yes,
Simon was very precise, 21
minutes).
5.The sprouts and butternut squash
will char on the outside.
into a jar/cocktail shaker with
some castor sugar and a vanilla
pod and shake.
Here’s what you do
1.Into the champagne flutes
pop a dash of Campari, a
splash of cherry liqueur, top
up with orange juice and
champagne and finish with
orange sugar on top to make
it fizz.
MUST
TRY!
6.Remove the squash and pop onto a
warmed serving dish.
7.Remove the sprouts and pop them
back into the original mixing bowl
and splash over a dash of cider
vinegar or balsamic vinegar to
make an “addictive” crispy on the
outside and luscious green sprout
on the inside, Christmas
sensation.
CHEF’S
ADVICE
Pick of the Bunch
for Christmas
lunch.
Simon, who’s also a trained sommelier,
advises readers “go for a big buttery
chardonnay from Australia or
California is always a winner if you’re
choosing a white wine.”
And if red is the order of the day
then Simon advises “A spicy Nebbiolo
Italian red is great with a vegetarian
dish and will bring out the flavours of
the food.”
21
health
HUGE!
Taking Someone Special, Somewhere Special
It’s a tiny word but the
hysteria surrounding it is
by Miriam Patterson
T
o fight the flab or not, that is the question. Well, actually there’s
no question about it at all, because in a world of skinny, image
obsessed size zero celebrities is it any wonder we have a collective
fixation with calories? And if you’re on a diet and shopping
around for that new, slinkier Christmas outfit – and we all know dieters can
create a certain type of insanity all of their own whilst on a spree, especially
when denied their normal sugar intake, then our hearts goes out to you.
Look let’s get a handle on this whole food thing right now! If dieting were
easy we at Travellers’ Voice would all be thin as rakes. But we’re not! Dieting
is exhausting, consumes mental energy instead of physical energy and let’s
face it, it’s just no fun especially when you enter that designer boutique, the
walls are lined ceiling to floor with tiny, gossamer like dresses, hanging
mystically in the undulating breeze of the air conditioning. Like lovers, they
call to you; mesmerise you and then suddenly, one of them enraptures you.
It’s a tiny size 10! Aaagh! How will you fit your booty into that?
Suddenly, out of the enveloping mist comes your best friend and the
desperate-to-make-a-sale shop assistant complete with assurances that
“these dresses are actually quite stretchy hon.”
It’s at this moment, dizzy with the scent of your own over-ripe, sweaty
aroma, not to mention the smell of fast food penetrating the air from the
burger joint next door; reality dawns as you shriek “I never should have had
that lettuce leaf three days ago!!!”
And, by the time the poor, patient, put upon sales assistant runs short of
compliments and tries discreetly not to man handle your personal bits, you
find yourself wrapped in lingerie. And not just any lingerie, oh no, not the
sexy French kind. These are what mammy would call ‘foundation garments’,
aka Spanx body shapers. Garrotting granny-knows-best bloomers that
strangle your gut, halve your rib cage and quicker than you can utter ‘low fat
spread’ your fast as a flash assistant in shining armour, pin cushion attached
to her wrist like some eager debutante’s corsage, has managed to hoist your
boobs up so high they’d now reach Belfast and beyond. Sorted.
Absolute limousines
has compiled over 30 vehicles for your
needs and has grown to be Irelands
leading suppliers of Wedding Cars with a
range of Vehicles from 1950s White and
Silver Classic Bentleys, Irelands only Rolls
22
Travellers’ Voice
Royce Phantom, 1930s White Beauford
Style Convertible, White and Silver
Executive Baby Bentley Cars, White and
Silver Baby Bentley Limousines, White,
Silver, Black & Pink Hummers
Tel: 087 9333378 / 087 1223532
Email: [email protected] Web: www.absolutelimos.ie
advice
advice
Happy Christmases
are the ones that
do not haunt you later
hristmas will soon be here, and this
year we did not even manage to get
through Halloween before the fairy
lights and Christmas trees appeared in
the shops. This is the time of year where we need
to plan for Christmas and make sure we have a
good time with friends and family; it is
important to plan for it. We do not want to get
ourselves into debt for the sake of a few days.
C
Often moneylenders appear at your door at this
time of year offering to give you a loan or
provide you with toys to get your family through
the Christmas. People do not consider how much
this loan is going to cost them overall, often
thinking they can afford the repayments.
Moneylenders are not here to help you get
through Christmas; they’re there to make
money through the interest that they charge.
So a legal loan of €500 will end up costing you
an extra €150 over 6 months, and you will have
paid back €650 to them if you pay it all back by
June of next year or it will cost you an extra
€280 if you pay it back over a year, totaling
€780. Think of all the things that are due to
happen over the coming year that you might
need money for.
An illegal moneylender will charge you even
more, so you might end up paying back €1200
over a year when you just borrowed €500.
National Traveller MABS dealt with a case
recently where a woman ended up paying back
four times what she owed to an illegal
moneylender, so that would be €2000 on a
€500 loan.
Ask yourself the following questions:
How much am I borrowing?
•
•
•
BUT
STOP AND
THINK!!
•
Can I afford it?
How long will I be paying this back for?
Do I really need whatever it is that I am
•
borrowing for?
Are there other events coming up that I will need
money for later in the year?
What if I need to borrow more during the time that I
•
am paying this back?
Do I have ‘rainy day’ money left in my budget?
•
•
Is this lender legal or illegal?
How much will I have to pay back in total?
•
What happens if I don’t pay it back?
•
of putting
Having a good Christmas with family and friends should not be at the cost
ideas that
some
are
Here
loan.
a
back
pay
to
pressure
yourself under immense stress and
.
occasion
festive
this
for
plan
a
place
in
put
to
you can begin today
•
•
Make a list of what you need for Christmas.
arrive
Remember to put in some money for Gas and Electricity bills which will
in January.
•
Work back through the list and number the items that you really need
then 3. Okay, now estimate how much each of these things will cost.
1, then 2,
•
Add up the total.
•
Do you have that amount?
it is a
Okay, possibly not, so go back and cut out no. 3 or reduce amounts until
total that is reasonable and that you can live with and afford.
•
•
•
This is all based on you deciding that you NEED for Christmas.
give
Join your local credit union and begin to save even €2 a week. This will
you access to a possible credit union loan in the future.
Before you know it we will be back into the
run up to Christmas 2015. Now ask yourself
is it worth it?
Remember, decide for yourself what you need
for Christmas. It is better to do this than to
be tempted by getting a loan which may get
you through but which you’ll be paying back
for a year at a bigger cost to you.
Spending time with family does not
necessarily have to mean spending money.
The times are hard and we hope that you
24
Travellers’ Voice
have a good Christmas with your family, but
not one which will haunt you until the next
one. Remember that help is at hand and if
you need to talk to someone about debts or
money worries; MABS has a helpline which
can be contacted on:
0761 07 2000
Finally, we at National Traveller MABS
would like to wish you and your family a
very Happy Christmas!
Repair, Replace,
Refund
by Miriam Patterson
Step aside Pythagoras, ‘cos I’ve got a theory and here it is...
Life’s too short to argue over a faulty dress.
Have you ever noticed how the mere prospect of bagging a bargain,
no matter how insignificant the saving, can do strange things to
certain people, even forcing some to camp out overnight in sub-zero
temperatures just so they can avail of that action figure for the kiddies
or better still a new-fangled lippy? I mean, who needs brains girls
when you can tattoo on your own Donatella Versace trout pout; and
for a third of the price.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love a bargain, sure only last week I was
shopping for a Christmas dress in a posh retail outlet and, as I was
handed my crisp carrier bag, the lady on the till plunged a money
off voucher into my hand, and brandishing a swarthy smile, stressed
how it must be redeemed within a fortnight, and in case I needed
further persuasion to splurge more of my dwindling dosh; whispered
conspiratorially, “go on, treat yourself, you know you want to.” But
why would I want to purchase something that’s been dragged out of
your cobweb riddled stock room and flung on a shelf? I asked myself.
Because it’s half price of course!
And, while we’re on the subject of sales assistants who, let’s face it, play
a critical and admirable role during the silly season in their quest to
dispose of last summer’s now defunct trends. But don’t you just hate it
when the expertly made up one bleats out that well-worn line, “Ahem,
you know there’s no exchange on sale goods dear.”
Now, this is usually the point where I get so infuriated with the whole
‘no refund,’ tag I morph into the Bride of Frankenstein and throw the
sales assistant a look so thick she could pour it over her Christmas
pudding before politely replying, “Ahem, I’m sorry, but do you think
I’ve been living outside of the loop dearie?”
The first rule of the pre-Christmas sales is to never believe everything
you read!
Those ‘no refunds,’ and ‘no exchange,’ signs are grossly misleading
because you, as a consumer have certain rights and that means
whether you pay the full retail price for that dreadful, wouldn’t be seen
decomposing in tweed jacket, or you got it on sale for a fiver in the
shop with the big window; the fact remains, if it is not of an acceptable
standard and fit for its intended, advertised purpose, under the Sale of
Goods & Supply of Services Act (1980) you are entitled to the three Rs,
Repair, Replace or Refund.
So, this year, while all you lovely Travellers’ Voice bargain hunting
veterans fall prey to the hype that purchasing a particular dress will
flatter your figure, disguising cellulite thighs that look like you’ve sat
on a hairbrush, because let’s face it, none of us are blessed with a figure
straight off the catwalk; we’ll be at the office party busy breaking out
the good plastic and drinking a toast to your continued and loyal
support. Happy Christmas y’all.
For more information log onto www.nca.ie
or www.consumerhelp.ie
25
Mo than just
health
MOVEMBER
Did you know that prostate cancer is the second
most common cancer in men after skin cancer?
By Miriam Patterson
A
s the month of November or
‘Movember,’ as it’s affectionately
known, brings men’s health
issues, in particular prostate
cancer, firmly into focus, Travellers’ Voice
catches up with one survivor.
John Monaghan has the 21st November
circled on his calendar; that’s the day he’s
scheduled to have his final surgery and bid
farewell to prostate cancer for good.
BreastCheck is now
screening women aged 50-64.
Your visit takes about half an hour in total
It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s free
Your results take about 3 weeks
For further information:
Freephone 1800 45 45 55
Visit www.breastcheck.ie
BreastCheck is part of the Health Service Executive.
John, a handsome 70 year old Leixlip, Co
Kildare man (he was 66 when first
diagnosed) is a retired mechanical
engineering professor who’s been ‘recycled’
back to work lecturing at Trinity College,
Dublin. He’s also the former National Vice
President with the Society for the St Vincent
de Paul, a role that saw him meet with
government officials around issues relating
to vulnerable members of society; this
included working closely with Pavee Point as
budget cutbacks meant certain Traveller
education schemes were being heavily
curtailed.
John, who had a family history of heart
trouble on one side and cancer on the other,
made a pact with his sister to undergo
annual health check-ups. As both their
parents had died young, the siblings felt it
was pertinent to keep an eye on their health.
It was during one of these check-ups John’s
doctor told him it was highly unlikely he’d
ever get cancer as his PSA levels were so low.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a
substance produced by the prostate gland
and elevated levels may also indicate
prostate cancer in men. “My GP told me my
PSA level was low I’d never get cancer,’ Says
John, adding “in fact it was stable in
November 2010 and by April 2012 when I
went for a routine medical for a pilot’s
licence it had quadrupled.” He reveals.
Even though John had experienced no other
symptoms, life for the Kildare man and his
Special Needs Assistant (SNA) wife
Catherine changed forever on that day.
What followed was a series of operations
and procedures beginning with state of the
art robotic surgery to remove John’s
prostate, however by the time he was
prepared for this procedure John’s cancer
had broken through his prostate capsule
rendering him in need of a new sphincter.
John initially recovered well following his
surgery but found he’d developed
incontinence. “The incontinence was so
severe I had to wear incontinent pads but I
continued on with my life, I even continued
flying but it was difficult as I was constantly
leaking and had absolutely no control.” He
explains candidly.
Things moved along smoothly for the
closely knit Monaghan family; however
doctors kept an eye on John’s PSA levels and
alarmingly noticed a steady rise between
September 2012 and April 2013 leading to
the grandfather of three undergoing seven
weeks of gruelling radiotherapy to try and
eradicate the problem. “I worked until
October 2012 but by mid-2014 the cancer
cells became active once again and I was put
on a lifelong course of hormone therapy to
cut off testosterone.” Says John.
Testosterone is known to feed prostate
cancer cells and starving them can be highly
effective to both prevent and control growth.
“Men of a
particular age
need to have their
PSA checked. It’s
very important.”
piece, especially as he has joked with his
wife that following surgery later this month
to resolve issues he’s been experiencing with
his artificial sphincter he may just keep his
facial hair and dye it red for Christmas.
However, wife Catherine hopes he’s
planning to get rid of his intimidating bushy
look for their son’s wedding which is taking
place in Australia next spring.
John is the perfect example of early
detection; having regular health check-ups
and being cancer aware has saved his life. Throughout his diagnosis and treatment
John has remained upbeat and positive, even
though certain side effects like incontinence
and penile erectile dysfunction have proved
problematic; this single engine pilot wants to
send a clear message to all men to have
themselves screened regularly. “Men of a
particular age need to have their PSA
checked. It’s very important.” Advises John.
National Cancer Helpline Freefone
1 800 200 700
To talk to a specialist nurse MonThurs 9am-7pm Fri 9am-5pm or
email [email protected]
To call to donate CallSave 1850 60
60 60 or +353 (0)1 231 0500
Now proudly sporting the famous
moustache to celebrate ‘Movember’ John
says his new look is a real conversation
00570RO Traveller's Voice FP Screening.indd 1
06/11/2014 16:01
27
fashion
Get the
Look
Kidsfashion
Shoot
November was the month we decided to shoot the kids. But
don’t panic it was all done in the best possible taste as we got
adorable models Elisha and Thomas McDonagh glammed up
to showcase the ‘must have’ selection of Christmas goodies.
These clothes are available to order at www.littledarlings.ie.
Frozen Tunic
€14.99
et
Winter Jack
€29.99
FOR
HIM
28
Travellers’ Voice
The day of
our fashion
shoot was
freezing but fun,
funky and fabulous;
so special thanks
goes to the creative
talents of all
our friends and
contributors.
Tutu Dre
ss
€12.95
A
GREA
PRICET
!
29
LOVE
THE R
COLOU
D iese
lS
€27.9 hirt
5
Diesel K
an
Sweate e
r
€29.99
Diesel Quilted
Jacket
€34.99
ans
Diesel Je
€32.99
Top & Legging
€14.99
s
Monsters
High
€8.99 PJs
The Photographer
Rarely do we come across a talent such as
the lovely Michelle Hughes-Walshe who
photographed selected Travellers’ Voice’s
features in this issue. We are delighted
to have been able to secure the very busy
and popular County Roscommon based
Michelle who is very much in demand due
to her innovative, fun and funky style, not
to mention her calm and patient demeanour
and consummate professionalism.
Diesal Kane
Sweater
€29.99
From weddings, to special events in your
life, from christenings to 21st birthday
parties, from pets to kiddies, Michelle is
happy to provide a full, professional service
to meet clients’ needs.
To contact Michelle, please see her
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/
michellehugheswalshphotography or
PH: 087 2830624 for a consultation.
Lego PJ
s
€8.99
Diesal Kane
Sweater
€29.99
The Clothes
Party Dress
€21.99
30 Travellers’ Voice
Little Darlings’ new Diesel range of kiddies’
clothing features a range of designer pieces
that will enhance any fashion conscious
kiddie’s Christmas and winter wardrobe.
And, the great news is it’s highly affordable
and with deliveries throughout Ireland, it
stands to reason that Little Darlings’ have
got kids’ covered. “We’re passionate about
our products and strive to deliver high
quality, affordable kids’ clothing for your
little ones. As parents ourselves, we know
that children grow up so quickly and we’re
here to help you meet their needs
throughout this important time in their
lives.” Says owner Joe Hayes, whose goal is to
fill that niche market in high end kids’
clothing that he and partner Rachael believe
has long been missing in Ireland. As an
online company, Little Darlings Ireland
offer Diesel clothing for kids at “knock
down prices,” says Joe and Rachel who feel
they are offering a “one stop shop” for
outfitting your child for any occasion;
whether it’s buying birthday outfits, or
finding the perfect gift for that friend’s baby
shower or Christening party.
The Location
We found The Shamrock Lodge Hotel,
Athlone to be the perfect location for our
kiddies’ photo shoot. The hotel’s convenient
location, within minutes of Athlone’s historic
town centre, combined with owner Paddy
McCaul and his staffs’ attention to detail
make this the ideal mini break destination.
Check it out: www.shamrocklodgehotel.ie or
PH: +353 (0)90 6492601
The Fabulous Models:
Meet the McDonagh models who are set to
take the fashion world by storm!
Adorable, cherub Elisha (6) and handsome
big brother Thomas McDonagh (10) from
Navan who were winners of our Facebook
‘search for a model’ competition.
For more information and to view their
latest lines log onto
www.littledarlingsireland.com or
PH: 085276 1316
31
cooking
Christmas turkey dinner
It’s hard to beat a traditional roast turkey at Christmas and it’s not as
difficult to prepare as you might think. Follow our simple instructions
and use our turkey cooking calculator to cook your turkey to perfection!
Recipe courtesy of www.safefood.eu
Christmas treats
Christmas Broth
Winter Warmer!
This is a great recipe for using up leftover
turkey and vegetables.
Recipe courtesy of www.safefood.eu
IP
CHEF’S T nd
ith grou
Season w
ng
per to bri
black pep
th
f
our o e
out the flav
s.
vegetable
32
Travellers’ Voice
Christmas broth
Serves 8 Adults
You will need
1 tablespoon of cooking oil
2 medium onions
1 teaspoon of dried coriander
85g / 3 oz. of cooked turkey
3 large carrots
½ medium turnip
2 large parsnips
2 medium potatoes
1 ½ litres / 2 ½ pints of
turkey stock
100g / 3½ oz. of green lentils
1 leek
Ground black pepper, to
taste
Method
1.Heat oil gently in a large
saucepan.
2.Peel and chop the onions.
3.Add to the oil and cook
gently.
4.Add coriander and stir
well.
5.Peel and chop carrots,
turnip, parsnips and
potatoes and add to the
onions.
6.Add the turkey stock and
stir. Bring soup to a boil
and then turn the heat
down so it is simmering.
7.Wash lentils in a sieve
under a cold tap and add
to the soup. Stir well and
cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
8.Wash the leek and remove
tough outer leaves. Slice
into rings and add to the
soup.
9.Add the cooked turkey
and cook the soup for 20
to 30 minutes until lentils
are soft. Add a little water
if necessary.
WHAT YOU NEED
Serves 6 Adults
Ingredients
Turkey, giblets removed.
(An 8lb turkey is enough to
feed 6 people, but you can
choose a larger one if you
want more meat for the next
day).
Stuffing.
For the Gravy
Glass of red wine
A little flour
Some of the cooking water
from your sprouts or carrots
Method
1.If you are using a frozen
turkey, make sure it is
completely defrosted before
roasting. Remember to
handle your turkey as little
as possible, and wash your
hands thoroughly as well as
any surfaces that come into
contact with raw poultry
2.Remove the giblets and
keep them for making
gravy.
3.Preheat the oven to
180°C/350F/Gas mark 5.
4.Place the turkey on the
roasting tray.
5.Cover the whole turkey
loosely with tin foil and
place in the hot oven.
6.Baste the turkey every hour
with the juices coming out
of it
7.About halfway through the
cooking, remove the bird
from the oven, lift off the
foil and spoon the juices
into a clean bowl. Recover
the turkey with the foil and
put it back in the oven to
continue roasting.
8.About half an hour before
the end of the cooking time,
remove the foil to allow the
turkey skin to brown and
become crisp. If the skin is
already brown, keep the foil
on the turkey to keep it
moist.
9.Check that the bird is
cooked by ensuring that
there is no pink meat left,
the juices run clear – this
happens when the thickest
part of the thigh and breast
meat are pierced with a
clean fork or skewer, and
make sure the bird is piping
hot all the way through. If
the bird is stuffed, check
that the centre of the
stuffing is piping hot as well
CHRISTMA
S
FAVOURITE
!
before serving.
Gravy
1.While the turkey is resting,
prepare the gravy.
2.Drain most of the juices
from the turkey roasting
tray.
3.Place the pan on the hob
over a low heat and mix in
the flour, mixing well into
the fat.
4.Continue stirring, adding
the cooking water from
your sprouts or carrots to
form the gravy.
5.Add in the red wine, cook
briskly, stirring now and
then, for 3-4 minutes and
season well with freshly
ground pepper.
33
kids
Kids’
CORNER
FIND YOUR WAY!
Welcome to our ‘Can’t
Lose Cant!’ Section
There are many ways to help revive our language and
prevent it being lost through time.
One of the ways of doing this is to document the words,
write them down so that even if they are not spoken every
day, they will not be lost to future generations.
Throughout Ireland there are different variations to words
used for the same thing. An example would be the cant
word for boy; some might say Sublick and others might
say Subla. Different groups of Travellers’ use different
words for many things so if there are words you would use
and feel we might not know, please get in contact with us
and also let us know if you feel we are using a cant word
wrong. We hope you enjoy our Cant Word Search.
34
Travellers’ Voice
To be in with a chance of
winning this Bizili Art Set
Colour in and return to:
Travellers' Voice
Monksland Business Park
Monksland
Athlone
County Roscommon
Puzzle time to get the little ones involved
!
S
N
I OT
O
J D
E
H
T
COMPETITION
ring
Winner of the colou
tumn edition
competition in the au
m St.
is Nora O’Reilly (9) fro
hool, Ballybeg,
Saviours National Sc
u for all your
Waterford. Thank yo
a chance of
entries. To be in with
simply colour
winning this month
age below.
in and return the im
ur name, age
Make sure to fill in yo
x below.
and address in the bo
WIN
THIS
PRIZE!
SUDOKU!
WORD SEARCH
BEOIR
WOMAN
BOY
SUBLA
FEEN
MAN
COMRA
CREEPA
CAT
WHID
TALK
DOG
ALAMUCK
MILK
Name:Age:
Address:
35
gallery
Exploring the
PAST...
Photos on this page:
Top right: Cork City in the distance from Spring Lane site.
Middle: Patrick McCarthy, winner of many boxing trophies,
practices in the small gym his father created.
Bottom left: Some of the boys at Spring Lane.
Bottom right: Spring Lane boys working out in a gym made from
shipping containers.
This photo: Well-kept front yard on one
of the original Spring Lane pitches.
Below: Sharon Gmelch shows
photograph from the 1970s to Kieran
McCarthy at Spring Lane.
...and living the
PRESENT
Boys from Spring Lane
play football on a pitch
adjacent to the site
I
n this edition we continue to feature the work of George and Sharon Gmelch.
In the early 1970’s, Anthropologists George and Sharon came to Ireland and
lived alongside members of the Traveller community in their own wagon. The
couple documented their stay with images that depict how Travellers lived
during that period. They returned in 2011 to meet up with the families they lived
with in the past. The images here capture their return to the Spring Lane site in
Cork. Further images are available in their latest book “Irish Travellers, The
Unsettled Life”, available through Amazon.co.uk.
Some indication of the crowding at
Spring Lane.
36
Travellers’ Voice
37
Gallery
gallery
Welcome to the brand new images section of
Travellers’ Voice magazine. Over the next few pages we provide a
glimpse of the events that have been happening around the country
OVER TO YOU
Staunton Carriages
086-1727368
Do you have an upcoming
event that you would like
featured in the Gallery section or
have you taken some pretty cool
images and want an opportunity to
show them off? Would you like
to share some snaps of your big
day or fundraising event? If so
contact the editor at
[email protected]
or call us on
090 6498017
Christy performing on stage
at The Electric Picnic in 2012
at Stradbally, Ireland
Traveller's Voice
39
gallery
probably made some promises they cannot
hope to keep.
For all the posturing and slick marketing of
authentic ‘Oirishness’ that can often leave us
quite jaded, the ploughing championships
has a unique rural charm all of its own. Yes
it’s massively commercial, but it’s also a real
live mega-market, packed with larger than
life characters. For example, when was the
last time you saw an aul lad with a wicked
glint in his eye making a small fortune
utilising nothing more than an upturned
bucket and a three card trick? Now that’s
class. Add to that the delicious, mouthwatering food and fabulous - if possibly
dubious - fashion items, including the
obligatory bargain wellies and you have an
entertaining family day out.
We even caught up with hard working
Traveller cultural ambassadors the lovely
Michael and Nell McDonagh as they chatted
to the friendly crowd, regaling them with
interesting and entertaining stories
surrounding their living history display and
Traveller music. Tom McDonnell was also on
hand to showcase and sell his unique crafts
as he proudly displayed the ancient and
decorative art of tinsmithing.
Despite the fact they looked crunchy, one of
the items I declined to sample was the
chocolate covered bugs, scorpion lollipops
and other delicacies on offer at the Rentokil
Pestaurant. Yes you read it correctly, a
PESTAURANT! This was an initiative set up
to promote the eating of bugs and creepy
crawlies as a low fat, high protein alternative
food source.
Clothes and fashion make up a big part of
the ploughing, with such innovative hints
as bailing twine belts around scruffy
overalls, (perhaps this trend could be
showcased at next year’s London Fashion
week?) to dapper
tweed suits and high
falutin’ haute couture
ladies’ hats and
frocks. This year’s
most popular
accessory was the
cattle tipping stick, a
multi-purpose four
foot plastic pole with
a handle that allows
users to move cattle,
keep their balance
and check the depth
of puddles!
disappointment, I missed the cheeky, double
entendre, high kickin’, thigh slappin’, toe
tappin’ country music troubadour Richie
Kavanagh’s gig; but with so much more
going on at the ploughing sure it was hard to
really give a focal!
So, next year folks, chalk it down, put a date
in your diary and make sure you attend the
annual ploughing championships. Sure it
would be rude not to.
Minceir Misli protest
at
Dublin County
Council building in
O'Connell
Street, 1984
Much to my
Fun amongst the
Furrows
At the Annual Ploughing
Championships 2014
By David Jo Murphy
udstock, Funderland for
Farmers, Bogfest, call it what you
like, there’s no denying it, the
annual ploughing
championships, with origins dating back to
the early 1930’s, is one of the largest and most
entertaining gatherings taking place in Ireland
today. The scale of this historical event cannot
be underestimated, with day two alone
witnessing over 125,000 attendees, 1,400
exhibitors and over 24km of track being laid
down to accommodate those numbers, the
NPC is most definitely a monumental affair.
M
Amongst the attendees was Ireland’s high
profile, sharp suited political elite. Never too
busy to miss an opportunity, our politicians,
closely shadowed by twitchy wannabe FBI
minders, did what they do best and pressed
the flesh, high fived the media, posed for
selfies, kissed copious amounts of babies and
40 Travellers’ Voice
41
gallery
Yellow Flag
Programme
Creagh National School Ballinasloe
OVER TO YOU
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upcoming event that
you would like featured
in the Gallery section, please
contact the editor at
[email protected]
or call us on
090 6498017
T
he yellow flag programme was created to inspire
schools to participate in a national programme
of interculturalism and to celebrate diversity.
Well done to the students who continually strive
to make their school an all-inclusive one.
42
Travellers’ Voice
gallery
Their
big day
h
Oein and Rebecca McDonagh releasing doves after their
wedding at St. Attracta’s Church in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.
Top: Groomsmen Charlie Ward, Owenie Ward, and Bernie McDonagh, shown with Oein
McDonagh and his best man, Johnny McDonagh.
Middle Left: Rebecca with her father, Michael Ward, in the wedding carriage.
Middle Right: Rebecca with her parents, Michael and Ellie Ward.
Below: Oein and Rebecca McDonagh with their wedding party (from left): Geraldine Ward,
Charlie Ward, Annie Joyce, Johnny McDonagh, Annie McDonagh, Owenie Ward, Bernie
McDonagh, and Caroline Ward.
Above: Rebecca (Ward) McDonagh with her bridesmaids,
(from left) Caroline Ward, Geraldine Ward, Annie Joyce, and
Annie McDonagh.
Left: Oein with his parents, Martin and Kathleen McDonagh.
Right: Oein and Rebecca with their parents, Michael and
Ellie Ward, and Martin and Kathleen McDonagh.
E
ach issue of Travellers Voice magazine
we profile wedding images kindly
submitted by our readers. In this issue
we have a look at the big Oein and
Rebecca McDonaghs big day. If you would like to
have your wedding profiled in Travellers’ Voice
contact the editor through Michael.power@
involve.ie or on 09064 98017. In order for us to
best capture your big day all images must be
supplied in digital form.
Owen and Rebecca McDonagh cutting their wedding cake.
44 Travellers’ Voice
45
gallery
OVER TO YOU
Exchange
House
Educational
If you have an
upcoming event that
you would like featured
in the Gallery section, please
contact the editor at
[email protected]
or call us on
090 6498017
Awards
ver forty Traveller students received their awards
for academic achievement along with proud
parents, siblings, extended families, teachers,
tutors and friends at the Exchange House
Educational Awards. More images can be found through
www.exchangehouse.ie
O
46
Travellers’ Voice
47
gallery
DTP CLIMB
Carrauntoohil
MOUNTAIN
P
articipants in Donegal Travellers Project’s
(DTP) TravTeen Gaisce Programme recently
climbed Ireland’s highest mountain together
as a means of building their leadership skills.
Well done to all the team in DTP.
Here are a few snaps of the day
DTP TravTeen Gaisce participants ahead of
their climb of Carrauntoohil Mountain in
Kerry (from left) John Ward, Michael Ward,
Michael Ward, Jodie Quill and Chloe Dwyer.
Photo by John McGee
Photos on this page:
Middle: DTP TravTeen
Leadership Programme
participants amid the stony
terrain near the summit of
Carrauntoohil Mountain in
Kerry.
Bottom left: Spectacular
scenery was a highlight
of a climb to the summit
of Ireland’s highest
mountain, Carrauntoohil,
by DTP TravTeen Gaisce
participants.Bottom middle:
DTP TravTeen Gaisce
participants at the outset of
their 3.5 hour climb to the
summit of Ireland’s highest
mountain, Carraunntoohil,
which has an elevation of
1,038 metres.
Bottom right: DTP Trav
Teen Gaisce participants
at a resting point along
the climb to the summit of
Carrauntoohil Mountain in
Kerry.
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DTP TravTeen Gaisce participants and group leaders at the summit of
Carrauntoohil Mountain in Kerry (from left) John Ward, Michael Ward,
Involve Youth Worker John McGee, Michael Ward, Jodie Quill, DT.
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48
Travellers’ Voice
details
»» Useful Contact Details
Citizens Information
Involve Ltd
National Traveller MABS
Provides information on public
services and entitlements in
Ireland
In partnership with Travellers
recognises the equality of
the Traveller Community
by providing programmes,
initiatives and services that
promote the inclusion of the
Traveller Community in Irish
society
National Traveller MABS is
a leading advocate for the
financial inclusion of Travellers
in Ireland.
Tel: 076 107 4000
Web:
www.citizensinformation.ie
Intreo
Intreo is a single point of
contact for all employment
and income supports
Unit 1, Monksland Business
Park Monksland, Athlone
Co Roscommon, Ireland
Tel: 090 649 8017
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.involve.ie
Information Services
College Road, Sligo, Ireland
LoCall: 1890 662 244
Web: www.welfare.ie
Parish of the Travelling
People
St Lawrence House
6 New Cabra Road,
Phibsborough
Dublin 7, Ireland
Tel: 01 838 8874
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ptrav.ie
The National Traveller
Women’s Forum
(NTWF)
A national network of Traveller
women and Traveller women’s
organisations from throughout
Ireland
4/5 Eustace Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: 01 672 7430
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ntwf.net
Irish Traveller Movement
The Irish Traveller Movement
(ITM) is a national network of
organisations and individuals
working within the Traveller
community
4/5 Eustace Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: 01 679 65 77
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.itmtrav.ie
Pavee Point Traveller
& Roma Centre
Pavee Point works in many
specific areas, including
drug and alcohol addiction,
health, youth work, education,
information and violence
against women
46 North Great Charles Street
Dublin 1, Ireland
Tel: 01 878 0255
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.paveepoint.ie
Nuit 2, North Park
North Road
Dublin 11
Tel: 076 107 2230
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ntmabs.org
Galway Traveller
Movement
Committed to the principles
of community work such
as active participation,
collective action, lobbying and
campaigning to bring about
positive social change for
Travellers
Traveller Counselling
Service
A place where Travellers feel
safe to come and talk about
emotional difficulties they
might be experiencing.
Phone: 086 308 1476
Email: info@
travellercounselling.ie
Web: www.
travellercounselling.ie
National Traveller
Suicide Awareness
Project
National Traveller Suicide
Awareness Project (NTSAP)
employs a community
development approach to
address the issue of Traveller
suicide
1 The Plaza
Headford Road
Galway
Co. Galway
www.travellersuicide.ie
Tel: 091 765 390
Web: www.gtmtrav.ie
Women’s Aid
Exchange House Ireland
Offering Family Support,
Youth Services, Addiction
Services, Mental Health
Services and Education
Services to members of the
Traveller community
Women’s Aid is a leading
national organization that
has been working in Ireland
to stop domestic violence
against women and children
since 1974
Web: www.womensaid.ie
Tel: 1800 341 900
61 Great Strand Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: 01 872 1094
Email: info@exchangehouse.
ie
Web: www.exchangehouse.ie
51
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52
Travellers’ Voice
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Say hello to Seve the Jack Russell. I captured
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one November day as he looked out over the
Shannon estuary.
Photograph courtesy of Damien Storan Limerick
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