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Travellervoice of the
July 2010 Issue 75 3
The Queens
of CountryHulinhiswayin
ohisoy:AndyOBin
InsidUKPisons:Anin-depthlooka
tlifeunderlock&k
LightingtheEdges
on the road with irelands leading ladies
Celebrating25yearswith
TallaghtTravellersYouthService
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Submissions for inclusion in the net edition ofVoice of the Travellermbe with us on or before Friday September 3rd 2010.
Contact the Voice of the Travellerteam
Ola (Editor): [email protected] (Chief Correspondent): [email protected]
Dad (Reporter): [email protected] (Manager, Community Services Programme): laura.greene@natcMhael (Sales and Marketing, CSP): [email protected] (CSP Administrator)
Voice of the Traveller, NATC, Unit 1, Monksland Business Park,Athlone, Co. RoscommonEmal: [email protected]
Please note print outs of photographs are no longer accepted.All photos must be emails as jpegs or posted directly to us atthe address above. Voice of the Travellerassumes that thefull permission of anyone featured in a photograph has beensecured prior to being submitted. Views epressed in Voice ofthe Travellerdo not necessarily reflect policies of the editor orthe National Association of Travellers Centres. Some photos
submitted to the magazine may be used on our website.
Dearreaders,
Welcometoanother editionofVoice
oftheTraveller
magazine.In thecourseofputting
togetherthisissueIwasonceagain
remindedofwhatawealth
oftalentisoutthereinthe
Travellercommunity.All
acrosstheisland,individuals
andgroupsareexcellingin
areasasdiverseassport,
gardeningandsinging.
Inthisissue,DavidLynch
travelledtoWicklowtomeet
AndyOBrienayoungman
blazingatrailontheWicklow
countyhurlingteam.LauraGreener
eported
backfromBlackpool,CountyCorkwh
ere70yearold
JimmyODonoghueispassingonhis
incredibleskills
andknowledgeintraditionalcrafts,
woodworkand
metalworktotheyoungermeninth
eBlackpool-Fairhill
TravellerMensgroup.Nottomenti
onalltheFETAC
Awardceremoniestakingplacearou
ndthecountryand
thededicatedTravellerscompleting
theirLeavingCert
examsasIwrite.
BoxersHughieMyers,JohnJoeJoyce
andMichael
OReillyfillournewspageswiththeir
ongoing
achievementsatnationalandintern
ationallevel.
TallaghtTravellersYouthServicesare
celebrating25
yearsofworkingwithinthecommun
ityandRevamp
FurnitureinLongfordwerejustawa
rdedanAontas
STARAwardforanoutstandingcont
ributiontoadult
learning..allofwhichyoullfindwithi
nthepagesof
thismagazine.TheQueensofIrishCo
untryechothese
sentimentsrecognisingupcomingta
lentssuchasKaley
Wardgivingthemarunfortheirmo
ney!
Icontinuetobeamazedattheamoun
tofprogressand
successthroughoutthecommunity.It
reallyisuplifting
intheserecessionarytimeswhenitsalltooeasytofeel
negative.Soeveryonewevemetove
rthecourseof
thepasttwomonths,giveyourselfa
welldeservedclap
ontheback,arestfulsummerbreak
andwellseeyou
backinSeptember forthenextediti
onofVoiceofthe
Traveller.
Talented
Travellers
Voice of the Travelleris funded and supported by thefollowing:
SUBS ADWHY NOT
SUBSCRIBE?5 issues a year costs only@30Call us on 090 6498016or
visit us on www.natc.ie
Travellervoiceofth
e
February2009Iss
ue674.25
FinbarFureyLookin
gbackonfou
r
decadesofmu
sicfrom
oneofIreland
sgreatest
musicians
win
350
BackinBusines
s:NewDVDlaun
ched
GerryRyanspe
aksout...Newsro
und-up
Iftheshoefits:
Theworkofaf
arrier
thebig
debate
Whoisthebossofthehouse
?
FrancescoAlesi
sexhibitionof
Travellerlife
TheItal
ianPerspective
VOTTFeb 09 F
inal.indd1
26/03/20091
1:51:42
Olga2
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w
Regulars4 Photo of the Month5Beanz on Going on holidays6News Round-Up10Memory Lane12Ellen22The Big Debate: Integration in Education?27Remembrances28Dear Annie29 Letters30Wedding Profile32Out and About 26
hurlingintohistory
Amemberofthesenior
WicklowHurlingteam,
wechattohotshotcorner
forwardAndyOBrienabout
ChristyRing,commitment
andthelongroadtoCroke
Park.
22
voicearoundthecountryLaura GreenehasbeencatchingupwithhappeningsinCorkandKerry.
18
askingtheteachersome
questions!.
UnaONeillanswers
somehonestquestion
aboutbeingavisiting
teacher.
Inthisissue
11Celebrating 25 years with TallaghtTraveller Youth Service.
13What the cards hold in store for you?
14 The reality of life behind bars in the UK
36Revamp your furniture with style
On the Cover
We meet theQueens ofCountry
Music
Features
3
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Photoofthemonth
Thismonthspho
to:
People&horsesattendingApplebyFaircooloffwithadipintheriver
2010ApplebyWestm
orelandUK
Emailyourphotosto
voiceofthetra
VoiceoftheT
raveller,NATC,Unit1,
MonkslandR
etailPark,Athlone,Co.
Roscommon
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So the good old summer is here and
were hitting the pharmacies or sun tan
lotion aster than a dog bolting rom the
garden hose. I msel decided to head o
to Brussels or a quick two da getawa,
getting awa rom, well, Tuam. So I got
up at 4am on Tuesda morning to getm ight to Charleroi airport in Brussels.
Arriing on Belgian soil at 10am. Now most
people would be all ecited about being
in a new place and would not care about
the act the didnt sleep well. Not me. I
spent 25 minutes arguing in broken French
that I should be allowed to check into
m room and not hae to wait until 2pm.
Well I was like a colic child or the hours
I was waiting, and made a point o sitting
right in ront o the reception desk, saing
things like, ridiculous m seen curses
gamm een and other such colourul
phrases that sprang to mind.
When I fnall got to m room, I decided
to rest m ees a little. 8 hours later I woke
up and got read to hit the town. And b
God did I hit the town. More like I hit the
ground about ten times! Belgian beer is
deceptiel strong. During the course o
the night I ended up arriing at OReills
Irish bar. Fantastic I thought to msel,
mabe the hae an auld Bulmers. I was
met with a big thick Manchester accent.
Now Im not racist, but when ou go to an
Irish bar ou hal epect to meet someone
with a similar brogue to oursel. Turned
out I was better o to hae met an English
lad, it meant that he hadnt a clue what a
Traeller was and would not tell me I had
enough ater one beer.
Ater a ew pints though I thought to
msel, wh would I go all the wa to
Brussels and spend m time
in an Irish bar? It didnt eel
right. I know Im not alone,
lots o Irish paddies abroad are
guilt o this. Is it some kind o
inner patriotism I wonder or
just in our nature to be araido enturing past our comort
zone?
I was like a big child in a sweet
shop when I got to the bus
part o the cit, the part with
all the pubs and clubs. Within
seconds I heard that amiliar sound o unk
music accustomed to Brazil. I entered the
bar and was greeted with a giant o a man
shouting something in Portuguese beore
running past me out into the street where
he started jumping around with jo. I just
thought to msel, whats he been drinking
and headed in to see what was being
sered. Turns out I was in a Brazilian pub
on the night Brazil were plaing a match in
the World Cup. For the spirit o the game
and the night that was in it I decided to
taste the tipple the were all enjoing.
Caiparinia it was called, although the
net morning I had some prett colourul
names or it msel. It was etremel strong
and sweet, like a emale Russian wrestler,
both beautiul but packing a punch.
The net da ater I got oer the initial part
o the hangoer, I headed back to the cit
centre hal thinking about reporting thatCaiparina or assault, because it kicked
m backside prett bad the night beore.
Opting instead to go to the chocolate
emporium located in the main square. Well
I was onl like a diabetic elephant with an
oereating disorder, I couldnt get enough
o it!
The sad part about this entire stor
is, I went to Brussels to stage a one
man protest, against Zionism and or
equalit or Palestinians. Thank God the
Palestinians are not reling on me, I would
hae sold them out or a snickers and a can
o Bulmers halwa across the Gaza strip!
So or all who are thinking o taking a
holida, best o luck and be grateul that at
least some o us can get a tan to match the
arm that hangs out the drier window.
Beanz
MartinBeanzon-
thejoyofgoing
onholidays
During the courseof the night I ended
up arriving atOReillys Irish Bar.
Fantastic I thought,maybe they have an
auld Bulmers
5
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News
Weblinks>>www.safeireland.ie
DomesticViolenceconcerns
NEARLyONEintenowomensee
kinghelp
romdomesticiolenceononed
alastNo-
emberwereTraellers.
Arecentdomesticiolencereport
romSae
Ireland,didaheadcountonthose
usingdo-
mesticiolencesericeson4,No
ember2009.
Itoundthat182womenand247c
hildrenwere
stainginreugesortransitionalh
ousingon
thatdainIreland.Aurther186h
adreceied
supportsericesromprojectson
theda.
Thefguresshowthat77percento
thewom-
enaccessingsericeswereclassif
edaswhite,
while9percentwereclassifedasT
raellers
and8percentwereblackwomen.
SaeIreland,anor
ganisationowomensre-
ugesandcentres,calledondomesticiolence
sericestobeprotectedromcuts.
Domesticiolencewasoneothe
most
debasing,andstilltosomeextent
,hiddenand
unmentionablecrimeshappenin
galloer
Ireland,saidSaeIrelandsdirecto
rSharon
OHalloranatthelaunchotherep
ort.
workingtogetherforequalit
y:
MembersoMinceirsWhidenlaunch
ingtheirpolicy
documentonthe21stApril,2010,inB
uswellsHotel,KildareSt,
Co.Dublin.Itwasormallylaunchedb
ylabourSenatorIvana
Bacik.
handballheroesProudwinnersin
arecenthandball
tournamentinWicklowtown.Letto
Right:GeorgeOBrien,TomBerry,
EamonnOBrien,JimOBrien,GerryC
onnor,EamonnMcCann.
launchoftheteachreport:
MariaCampbell
romSt.AndrewsCollegeSligoand
Dr.NiamhHouriganromUCC
picturedatthelaunchoTheTeach
Reportwhichtheauthored
TraellerEducationandAdults:Cri
sisChallengeandChangeat
BuswellsHotelinDublin.Alsoinph
otoareJamesOLearCEO
NATC,MichaelMcDonagh,NTW,He
lenOSullianSt.Josephs
Training Centre,EnnisandSenator
JoeOToole.Pic:Marc
OSullian,
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L ight ing t he Edges
margarittadonoghue
>>HerItAge
luke&lilypowerlily doherty&jimmy casey
Tallaght Travellers Youth Service this year celebrate 25 yearsof working with the community in Tallaght to provide serv-ices such as educational programmes, breakfast and home-work clubs, literacy and crime prevention programmes.
In recognition of this achievement and in place of ourusual Memory Lane in this issue we print a selection ofphotos from an ehibition entitled Lighting the Edges byAnn OKelly which ran in the County Library, Tallaght inMay.
This project is both a celebration of the work being carriedout by the youth service and a direct follow on from theresearch Moving Beyond Coping An insight into theEperiences and Needs of Travellers in Tallaght in Copingwith Suicide
Tallaght Travellers Youth Service can be contacted on (01)4596692 or at Unit 5, Brookfield Enterprise Centre, Tal-laght 24 Co. Dublin.
10
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catriona & christy mcdonaghwith maggie connors
jimmycasey
jimmy&margaretcasey
chloehutchinson
bredadoneganwithkathleen,
mary&michael connors
wayne&carolineodonoghue
withmariah maughan 11
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The continuing tale o Ellen, theyoung Traveller girl as she learnsabout lie and death the hard way
Ellen
>>HerItAge
ELLEN WAS deastated when she discoered her new oal wasnot going to be. She cried her heart out or weeks oer the littleoal that her Dad had promised her. Ellens ather ound it er
difcult to eplain to his daughter about the whole situation.Ater all Ellen was onl nine ears old and how could she pos-sibl understand what had happened?
The mare was out in the feld when the two stallions took tofghting and kicked poor Lad (the mare) right in her bell andkilled the oal inside her. O course there was nothing her dador the et could do to sae the poor little thing, in act the wereer luck that the mother didnt die as well.
Ellen was reall looking orward to her new oal and decidedthat she was going to call her Star Dust ater the night starsbut her whole world ell apart when her dad sat her down andeplained what had happened. To her athers surprise Ellen
took it rather calml, she just sat there and neer said anthingat all onl giing out the odd sigh. Ellen then asked him whdid it happen? Her dad eplained that the two owners o thestallions was unaware that Lad had straed in with them baccident. He assured her that it was a genuine mistake and hethanked his luck stars that Lad had lied and please Godshed hae another oal soon. With her head down Ellen got upand went or a little walk down the road to hae a think abouteerthing
One hour, then two hours passed and Ellen was nowhere to beseen. Her parents began to worr that she was missing or solong and begin to search or her. Her uncle told them that heseen her standing at the gate looking into the feld where thestallions were. Ellens ather and brothers ran as ast as thecould because the knew she would be in danger i she wentanwhere near the stallions because it was the breeding seasonor most o the mares.
As the reached the entrance o the feld the couldnt helpbut laugh at what the were seeing. There she was with a pieceo rope in her hands and was struggling tring to put the ropearound a new born oal. She was reall struggling to push and
pull the oal awa rom its mother. The mother o the oal wasgetting angr and was haing none o it.Ellens ather went out to his daughter because the mother mare
was starting to bite and kick at her. Her dad pulled her awaand asked her what did she think she was doing with the oal?Ellen broke down and told him that she was taking the oal tothe boghole to drown it because the man that owned this little
oal also owned the stallion that had kicked her Lad, so shewas onl getting her own back on him! Her dad took her straighthome without saing a word.
Two months had passed and Ellen was still thinking about whather little oal would hae been like. Then one da her athertold her he had a loel surprise or her! She told him she didntwant another dog. But it wasnt a dog..well what could it bethen? Ellen was in no humour or an jokes she still elt heartbroken and ed up.
Then her dad called out to her rom the feld and asked her tocome see her suprise. Ellen went outside and stood in shock tosee him standing beside the most beautiul animal she had eerseen in her lie! She was the most beautiul oal she eer didsee. It was as white as snow with a black spot on its orehead.It had such enormous black ees that looked like diamonds andshe started to walk towards Ellen. Ellen was speechless with su-prise and as the walked towards each other, ou could almosteel the instant loe between Ellen and her new pet and at thatmoment Ellen knew what she was calling her... Tinker bell.
Ellen was really looking orward toher new oal and had already decid-ed she was going to call her Star Dustater the night sky
12
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JD: How long have you been proessionally practicing psychicreading?Aggie: As a 13 ear old girl I became aware o m pschic powersand I suppose it all started rom there. I would be telling peoplelittle bits and bobs but o course the didnt beliee me at all.Then as I got older the oung bos and girls would come tome asking me to read them their ortune and alwas wanted toknow whom the would be getting married to and when.
JD: What kinds o readings do you perorm?Aggie:At the start I used a ring but then I changed m routine tothe tarot cards because the gae me more inormation on theperson so I now use tarot cards all the time.
JD: Do you always predict the truth?Aggie: I can honestl sa that an person whom knows me andhad their ortune told b me will tell ou that I am a true blueand the hae alwas come back to me or more. I onl tell themwhats on the cards I cant lie with them.
JD: How many clients would you see during the week?Aggie: Well I dont call them clients, I call them m riends andto answer our question I suppose it depends. People ring meand arrange to meet me or i I go isiting people Ill alwas meetthe person who wants their ortune told.
JD: Are there any person/s that you wouldnt tell their ortunes too
and why?Aggie: When I meet a person or the frst time I can tell i theregood or bad. On one or two occasions I hae reused to tell or-tunes to a ew people mainl because I wouldnt like to fnd outwhat the are reall made o. Or that the would not be happwith what I would tell them, I can onl go b what the cards tellme about the person. There were also ew occasions that I didtell a ew people about their uture and when the didnt like itthe called me a witch. Then there is the opposite i I tell themgood news Im an angel, so ou cant win all the time but itsun.
JD: How powerul are your powers?Aggie: Well, I can tell ou o our past, present and what theuture holds or ou. Now thats what I call power! Also, i anperson does something reall wrong to me and I mean reallwrong I will curse them But I hae onl done this sort o thing
on ew occasions and man the person has come back to me ororgieness.
JD: Do you enjoy what you do with the Fortune telling and why?Aggie: I enjo it a lot and it can be great un especiall with theounger generation. The loe to hear all the romantic thingsthat will happen to them. I hae also made lots o riends inortune telling with both Traellers and settled people and manhae inited me to their engagements, weddings as well as goingout socializing with them. But on the other-hand oull alwasget the odd ew who wants ou to do their ortune and i thedont like what the hear well ou know oursel.
JD: Are you a religious person?
Aggie: yes Im er religious person indeed and whereer I see alittle medal or statue I hae to bu it straight awa. Just because Iread the Tarot cards it dosent necessaril mean Im not religiousor dont beliee.
JD: Can anyone tell ortunes or read the Tarot cards?Aggie: yes ou can and theres a lot o people who think thatthe can read them but the onl make up a load o lies. Buter ew genuine people can read the truth in the cards. youhae to be pschic and hae the power to be honest with peopleand in m case I was luck to be born with such powers.
When she turned 13, something seriouschanged in Margaret (Aggie) Donovanslife. She would never be the same again-and people in the community wouldnever look at her in the same way again.Julieanne Doorleyfinds out about herpsychic gift.
A very gitedgrandmother
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HELP fOR THOSE
ON THE INSIDETraveller inmates in UK prisons face unique difficulties on theinside, as do their families on the outside. The Irish Chaplaincyin Britain (ICB) is alert to these problems and has begun, whatcould turn out to be, ground breaking research. David Lynchinvestigates forVoice of the Traveller
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WE OFTEN read tabloid stories about Plasma Screen Tvs,mobile phones and the alleged eas lie or prisoners- but thosewith direct eperience sa otherwise. One proessional who hasworked in the UK prison sstem or 15 ears said being lockedup is traumatic or most prisoners. Nobod knows eactlhow man Irish Traellers are in prison in the UK- but thosewho work with prisoners are er concerned.
Proessionals sa a high number o Irish prisoners are Traellersand that the and their amilies ace etra difculties.Used to their own social conentions and wa o lie, prisonhas been especiall traumatic or Traellers, the Irish Chap-lainc in Britain (ICB) said last month.There hae been a er high number o suicides and caseso sel-harm among Traellers and numerous reports o rac-ist abuse and discrimination. Leaing prison in a worse statephsicall and mentall, and with no educational progress, onlleads to increased leels o re-oending.
The racism aced b Traellers on the inside reects the generalattitude in societ according to Father Joe Browne, a prisonchaplain, who called it the last acceptable prejudice.Traellers need suitable education programmes in prisonbecause without basic literac skills, access to rehabilitationcourses, healthcare, amil or dealing with legal matters ismuch more difcult.
The eperience o one chaplain is that prison is a more difcultplace or Irish Traellers generall than or most others.Fr Gerr McFlnn is a man who should know a thing or twoabout the prison sstem. The Co. Down man began his pastoralwork on the tough streets o north Belast in the earl 1970s atthe height o the Troubles.
He has worked in the UK with the Irish Commission or Prison-ers Oerseas or 15 ears, and is currentl chaplain in Worm-wood Scrubs in north London. He describes his working da asloitering with intent. Walking rom one wing to the other, past
the cells- proiding help and adice to the prisoners, especiallthe Irish.
The Irish gus are ortunate at haing the Irish Commissionor Prisoners Oerseas to proide them with a er good sericeand support network, he said in a recent RTE radio interiew.It is true that Irish prisoners are happ to hear an Irish oice.The are in a prison in England, where most o the accents areEnglish. But when the meet me it makes a dierence that the
meet someone rom back home. It creates an afnit and allowsthem open up more.Fr McFlnn disagrees with those who sa prison is too sot.It is certainl not a holida home b an stretch o the imagi-nation. There are teleisions in the cells, but the channels arecareull controlled. Mobile phones get in rom time to time,like drugs, but i oure caught ou pa dearl or it. Prison isnot an eas eperience or anone. Most people fnd imprison-
ment to be a traumatic eperience.
Fr McFlnn comes across man Irish Traellers through hiswork. There are no eact fgures, but anecdotal eidence pointsto a signifcant percentage o Irish prisoners in Britain comingrom the communit. yes a er high percentage. But it is dif-cult to quanti that at the moment- because there has not beenthat much research done on it .
Howeer Fr McFlnn highlighted new research just begun bthe Irish Chaplainc in Britain (ICB) into this er topic.The Last Acceptable Prejudice, Traellers in Prison ResearchProject was launched last month in the ICB ofces in London.The aim o the research is to improe the conditions o IrishTraellers in prison and their amilies b highlighting the spe-cifc hardships aced b this isolated section o societ.The research fndings will be published in a report due inSpring net ear.
Irish Traellers hae their own customs, traditions, eenlanguage Conn Mac Gabhann, researcher on the Traellers inPrison Project said at the launch. yet er ew prisons are suc-cessul in taking this diersit into account when dealing withthem. Its not a question o giing Traellers better conditionsthan other prisoners. It is more a case o respecting their di-erent background in the same wa as prisons accommodate awide ariet o ethnic and religious groups.
* Any assistance, insights or practical support would be much
appreciated by the ICB. I you wish to contribute in any way to theTravellers in Prison research project please email Conn at:[email protected]
Its not a question of givingTravellers better conditions, it ismore a case of respecting their
different backgrounds
Weblinks>>www.irishchaplaincy.org.uk
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They are the stars of the local coun-try music scene- the top womenperformers who take to the stage infront of huge crowds, every night,from Cork to Donegal. But what arethese talented ladies like off stage?
Voice of the Travellers Laura Greenegot to sit down and spend sometime with the cream of Irish countrytalent, including Philomena Begley,Trudi Lawlor, Sandy Kelly and LouiseMorrissey. Here they talk aboutsongs, family, fans and falling offstage!
THE LOCATION was The Carlton Shear-water hotel in Ballinasloe, Co. Galwa,where the ladies were perorming as parto the hugel successul Queens o Coun-tr musical tour.
Philomena Begle is one o the most
popular singers in the count, what werethe highs in our career so ar? Thehighlight o m lie would be startingsinging at all, said Philomena. I didntreall plan to be a singer at all and whenit happened I was er happ I did haebig plans to be a nurse. But that didntmaterialise and I started singing anddidnt realise it was going to go as well
at it did. There would hae been a loto singing going on in our house and inneighbours houses and we were alwasaround music.But as with eer lie there also beensome lows or Philomena.M lowestpoint would hae been when m brother
died suddenl. He was a big part o mlie in the music business and he had ahall and I used to perorm there.That let a er big oid in m lie or aer long time.
The oungest o 11, Trudi Lawlor wasbrought up in a bus and musicalhousehold.M mother sang in concerts
The musical queens who like
Keeping it country!16
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PhotograPhs by stePhen Darcy
Other members o m amil were musical but I was the onlone who took it to a proessional leel. I am on the road aboutfteen ears now and still I suppose relatiel new to the busi-ness and learning all the time so I am reall enjoing it. Trudialso perorms abroad- and a ew ears ago she recorded analbum in the oot tapping heart o international countr mu-sic- Nashille. That must hae been a dream? yes absolutel!When I was in secondar school and supposed to be studing
or m Leaing Cert, I was dreaming o singing in Nashille andall I was thinking about was - how can I get out o here and startm singing career!
Louise Morrisse is another hugel eperienced perormer, howdoes she compare the modern countr scene with how it wasback in the da? Certainl the circumstances hae changedand the acilities hae changed or the better oer the ears,she said. I started out at 13 o age plaing with m amil andthen later with a band but some o the acilities were atrocious- ou could be put out into a shed to change or ou could be putout into a feld. There were no changing rooms and we otenhad to change in the an and tr to come out then looking ourbest ater putting makeup on with nomirror and hoping that our clothes didntget destroed in the process! But I thinkthe ears hae been er good to us andthe acilities now are antastic with loeldressing rooms in loel hotels. O courseit was because we were too sh to speakup or ourseles ears ago and we put upwith it. We were hungr or business - weprobabl would not accept sub standardacilities now!
Looking back on our wonderul careerLouise, is there anthing ou wouldchange? Oerall, I am er happ withhow m lie has turned out. I I had to do
it all oer again though I think I would nothae started out so oung.
I enjoed it but when I look at m niecesand nephews and how the enjo theirteen ears, I think I would adise them totake their time getting into the businessproessionall. I would sa to an oungperson that the should enjo themselesand go to the discos etc beore the go intothe business.
Turning our attention to Sand Kell, whowere our role models when ou started our career? I hae
lots o role models in m lie, Pats Cline, Johnn Cash, andthe girls I am touring with o course! I ou were going to bua ticket or one show this ear who would ou go see? Otherthan the girls? yes, I would defnitel go to see Domenic Kirwanand I am kind o tight with m mone!An major disasters happen on stage oer the ears? Morethan I care to remember, she laughs. I remember one nightgoing on stage with a great big curler in the back o m hair andsinging all night. Eerbod knew it was there and nobod told
me. The crew enjoed that joke immensel! When I sang in theEuroision with the Duskes a number o ears ago, we were atrehearsals and we had a little dance to do in the song. We hadto step let and right and when we went let I ran out o stageand ell o the end! Eerone got a great kick out o that!
Countr music has enjoed quite a reial in Ireland recentl-are ou eperiencing an changes in the industr Sand?
yes, as Trudi said earlier, there was a bit o discrimination inthe music scene in Ireland and it was not seen to be cool to bea countr singer but I think with the popularit o singers likeGarth Brooks ounger people started to enjo this kind o musicand it broadened the audience or us. People now like countrmusic or what it is toda. you all hae a big ollowing in theTraelling communit in Ireland - are ou aware o this?
Philomena Oh, es and in England and Scotland too. I wouldhae had a lot o contact with the Traelling communit in mounger das at school and we had a Traeller amil liingnear us in our hometown. We loed to pla with the Traeller
children and we were alwas ascinated attheir wa o lie. I remember one time I wentmissing and m mother went looking or meand ound me in a tent haing a spud in amug with white sauce on it. I will neer orgetthe taste o that! I was thrilled to be in the tentand it has stuck in m mind! We used to gooer and watch the mothers getting the chil-dren read or bed and all the washing thatwent on. The were alwas so clean. We lier well together and got along fne.
When ou mention the name Philomena Be-gle to anone the normall start hummingthe song Blanket on the Ground in theirhead. I heard the song on a radio programme
called American Forces which was a Coun-tr and Western show, said Philomena. Ididnt know who the singer was but it turnedout to be Bill Jo Spears. Connie Loughlinwas managing me at the time and I got himto get the score rom America. I recorded itand had it out in Ireland and the net thingBill Jo released it in England. I outsold BillJo with m ersion which was great. yearslater I met her in Peterborough and she saidare ou the bitch that stole m song? Wehad a great laugh about it then. I did a ewshows oer the ears with her and we alwas
fnished the show with Blanket on the Ground.
Do ou hae an plans to retire? No not an time soon. In tears, please God, I will be ft ears on the road and I plan tocelebrate that and continue to perorm. I hae a ew concerts inbetween and whateer happens, happens. I neer did retire andonl took occasional breaks. I loe communicating with the au-dience and haing the bit o craic and hopeull I wont drop othe stage antime soon! A sentiment her legions o ans share.
I love communicatingwith the audience
and having the bit ofcraic and hopefully I
wont fall off the stageanytime soon.Philomena Begley
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Tpe And OBrien Wicklow hurling intoGoolge and see what ou get.OBrien scored a fne indiidual e-
ort reads one match report. OBrienbrace brushes Donegal aside screamsan Irish Independent headline. Theliel OBrien broke through to score aneasil goal reads RTE. And The IrishTimes start one report simpl- Wicklowinspired b OBrien.The headlines and reports dont lie- And
OBrien has had an eplosie season inhis countr jerse. It has gone well, Iseemed to be doing something right thisseason, And sas modestl.
Wicklow hurling ans would agree. Theircountr won promotion rom Diision 3Band reached the semi fnal o the ChristRing Cup, losing in a close game to Kerr.The fnal would hae been at Croker and
it was the frst time Wicklow had eer gotso ar in the cup.
We were winning b our points, with aew minutes to go and the got late goals.I scored 2-3 in that, said And. Netear hopeull we will get to the fnal. Butou cant predict it- we might not eenmake the last our net ear, thats thewa it goes.With promotion we are now going topla in a higher diision and we will beplaing Laois and Kildare and teams likethat so we will be hurling against betterteams.The preious season- 2009 was a difcultone or Wicklow hurling. Howeer with anew manager and a changed team, thisear saw them win the Diision 3B title.
The high number o goals and points thathae come rom the 22 ear olds hurl haebeen crucial to Wicklows success.
His loe aair with the game began as aoung bo and there is plent o interestin the game in his own amil. He is obi-ousl proud to pull on the blue and goldjerse o his count.Hurling is a good game, I think it isthe best game in the world to pla- it isso skilul and ast, sas And. ManTraellers in Wicklow and neighbouringWeord pla the game. But there is also
a strong interest in handball within thecommunit. And has won trophies orhis handballskills as a single plaer, andalso as in doubles with his brother.
I onl started handball when I was16, its a sport that keeps ou health- ithelps keeps ou ft.Plaing senior hurling or his club inBra, And is looking orward to the chal-lenge o net season in a higher diisionwith Wicklow- and hopeull one stepurther in the Christ Ring Cup and a datein Croke Park.
I plaed there once when I was oung,but it would be great to pla there again.The confdent plaer is hopeul that netseason will match the high standard o2010. The corner backs or the teams inDiision 3A will surel be kept on theirtoes when And is plaing. The haebeen warned!
Lovely
Hurling...in the garden o Ireland
It has been a hectic andsuccessful season forWicklow hurling. Promotionfrom Division 3B and asemi final appearance inthe Christy Ring Cup thehighlights from an exciting
few months. Wicklow townnative, hot shot cornerforward Andy OBrienplayed a crucial role inthis success.David Lynchtravelled to the Garden ofIreland to meet the risinghurling star.
Photo by Julie lynch
www.JulielynchPhotograPhy.com18
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In the current climate the Goernment are signalling that Traellers should be integrated into
mainstream education. With people diided on the benefts and drawbacks to this we decided to put
it to our readers in Voice o the Travellerto see how ou eel.
Yes!WE THINK that Traellers and settled people
should integrate because it is a breaking down
o barriers between the two communities. It
educates the settled people about the Traelling
culture and that there is no
dierence between an o us.
Howeer, Traeller Training
Centres hae worked out
er well or the Traelling
communit. The hae
produced great results as a
lot o Traellers let school
at a oung age, got married
and had children. This is
all a part o our culture andthese centres gae us a great
opportunit to return to
education and improe our
skills. When Traellers as
children went to main stream
schools the were treated as
second class citizens and were let at
the back o the class to do colouring books so a
lot o Traellers let school illiterate.
Things hae improed toda slightl. Traeller
Training Centres gie us a chance to oercome
our literac problems and identi these issues.
Since we hae started to integrate with the
settled communit in these centres we haeound out that a lot o them went through
discrimination as well. This was due to where
the lied, how much mone the had and what
class o job the were in. Some settled people
were actuall discriminated against because
the lied in a mainl Traeller housing estate
and were reused emploment because o this.
Now we can stand together in these centres and
use the settled persons oice and the Traeller
persons oice as one.
Ladies rom Abbeyeale Training Centre,
Limerick
Its not good for Travellers
to be educated by themselves
as they are still being
segregated from the rest ofthe community
The Big Debate:Should Travellers in educationembrace integration?
What do YOU th?
I think times have changed and we need
to move on and have a better relationship
between settled and Traveller people
JULiEAnnE DOORLEY
TULLAMORE
xxxxxx
pHiLip SHERLOck
EnniS
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Interested in getting involved in this debate? Why not send an email to [email protected] or post a letter to the Editor.
no!xxxxxxxx
I have never heard ofany person, settled orTraveller that was cursedby Travellers
xxxxxx
MicHAEL p. MOngAnS
EnniS
xxxxxxxx
nAn cOnnORS, WExFORD
21
Kathleen Rattigan, Tullamore.
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Were out and about again with Laura Greene from Voice of theTraveller. This issue her journey tookher to Portlaoise, Mallow, Cork, andTralee!
VoiCEaround
thE Country
R.E.C.A.L.LingthePastinBallymote.
AtriptoyeatsCountrsawvoiceAroundTh
eCountr
enjoingashortflm-R.E.C.A.L.L(ReectingEach
CommunitatLocalLeel)producedbTamsin
Caaliero,HomeyouthLiaisonSerice,andJonathan
Ma,SligoLeaderPartnershipCompan,directedb
SineadDolan,LochBoFilms.
ThedocumentarollowsMartinMcDonaghashesets
outtoexplorethehistorotherelationshipbetween
theTraellingCommunit andthesettledcommunit
withinCountSligooerthelast100 earsthrough
reminiscencesbetweenlocal residents.
ACartLoadofTalentinBlackpool!
InDecember2009,4menromtheBlackpool-Fairhill
TraellerMensgroupinCorkgot togetherwith TvG
deelopmentworkerstoplanthebuildingoahorse-
drawncart.JimmODonoghue,whocelebratedhis 70th
birthdarecentl,passedonhisincredibleskillsand
knowledgeintraditionalcrats,woodworkandmetal
worktotheoungermeninthegroup.Thegrouphae
beendocumentingtheprojectwithphotos, drawingsand
ideo,andhope toproduceahandbookontraditional
cartbuildingbTraellermen(withaDvDincluded)
Our LadysInFull Bloom!
AquickstopatOurLadsTrainingCentre inMallow
wherethelearnerswerebusentertainingalocalgroup
oIntellectuallChallengedadultswithaweeklmusic
sessionandIhadaisittotheArtRoomwhereuture
potterswerehardatwork.NanODriscolltookmeona
tourotheirwonderulgardenwherepreparationswere
wellunderwaortheannualSaleoWork.Thisisa
lielcentrewhereaullprogrammeoeducationand
actiitieseident.Showingthefruits
oftheirlabour,aflatbedc
ODonohoe,GerardMcdonough,Pat
rickOD
JamesCaseyinCo.Cork
Howdo
Centre
basket
centre.
LernersatSt.FinbarsTrainingCentre
inCorkCityre
Murphy,LordMayorofCork.accomp
aniedbyhisw
Owens.BiddyMcDonough,PhilOHalloran,JosieH
CarolineMaughan,BridgetWard,Bri
dgetHornibro
PaulaKelly,MaryOBrien.
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VoiceAroundtheCountryisa
regularfeaturesoifyouwouldlikea
representativefromtheVoiceofthe
Travellertovisityourcentre,pleasege
t
intouchwithLaura.Emaillaura.gree
ne@
natc.ieorphone0906498017.
eJimmy
oeand
PottersatworkatOurLadysTrainin
gCentreinMallowwithTutorMaria
Hedrick,ElenaODriscoll,NoraMoon
ey,AshlingODonnell,SandraONeill,
CatherineReidy,MargaretReidy,Ma
rgaretOReilly,BridgetOConnor.
TVGGorasCommunityCreche,CorkL
-R:CailumLyons,Frankie
OSullivan,LeviLyons,TaylorCash,M
ikeFaulkner,Charlie
Faulknerheadingoffontheirsumm
eroutingtoTrabolganto
seeaBobTheBuilderShow
urgardengrow?VerywellatOurLad
ysTraining
llowCo.Cork.NanODriscolltendsh
erhanging
eparaionfortheupcomingSaleofW
orkatthe
theirFETACAwardsfromCllr.Dara
nyaandtheCEOoftheCorkCityVEC
,Ted
StephanieMcCarthy,NoreenODono
hoe,
atherineODriscoll,PhilomenaMcCarthy,
StudyinghardatschoolareSamanth
aandKathleenOReilly,
RebekkaMurphyandKatrionaNevin
JonathanCavaliero,SineadDolan,Ma
rtinMcDonoughand
TamsinCavalieroatthelaunchoftheshortfilmR.E
.C.A.L.L
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24
MOnEY ADvicE & BUDgETing SERvicE (MABS)
Calling allartists...BUiLDing BRiDgES BETWEEn MABS AnD THETRAvELLER cOMMUniTY ART cOMpETiTiOn
National Traveller MABS seeks entries fortheir art competition!!!The theme for the competition is BuildingBridges between MABS and the TravellerCommunity and the winning entry will receive200! (Prize willbe deposited into the winners eisting or new credit unionaccount)
The Money Advice and Budgeting service (MABS) offers a freeconfidential and non judgemental service to peoplewho in debt or at risk of getting into debt. National TraMABS, as part of this service, is the leading advocate for thefinancial inclusion of Travellers.
Over the last 4 years, National Traveller MABS has beenmeeting with local Traveller groups and the local MABSservices nationwide to identify what financial issues are beingeperienced by Travellers and how MABS can work with peopto take control of their finances.
All information gathered at these meetings is now beingdeveloped into a national report which will pave the wayfor National Traveller MABS work and local MABS involvemewith the local Traveller Community. The report, apart
from highlighting the main issues discussed, will makerecommendations on how difficulties can be addressed, beit through Community Education or leaflets and posters.
As this project is nearing completion, National Traveller MABSlooking for someone to design the cover of this report.
The competition is open to all within the Traveller CommunitThe winning entry will form the cover of the national report.The report will be distributed to over 50 MABS offices, CitizenInformation Services, local Traveller projects and NationalTraveller groups.
Specifics
All artwork must be A4 in size Design must be able to be photocopied - do not use add onssuch as glitter, stickers etc
WIN
20
Closing datE for EntriEs is
friday 13th august 2010
Pee e ee :C-, n tvee MaBs, u 2, n Pk,
n r, f, db 11
ExPERTS ON Irish Traditional mu-sic readily accept that Travellerskept the music alive in remoteparts of Ireland over many dec-ades and generations .FamousTraveller families like the Dorans,Fureys, Keenans, Dunnes and theDohertys travelled the country-side, collecting and spreadingtunes, making, and repairinginstruments with the traditionalskills of tinkering which theyinherited from their forefathers.
One such musician was JoeGaynor, blind from childhood,but who had the strength toovercome his disability to be-come a fulltime traditional musi-cian, busking in Shop St, Galwayfor over 50 years. This incredibleman could play fiddle, mouth
organ, keyboards as well as theaccordion.
A famous American artist, BarrieMaguire, photographed Joe on avisit to Ireland in the 1990s, andhe created a painting based onthis photograph, which becamethe first in a remarkable collec-tion of paintings and images of
Irish life. When Tommy Fegan-contacted Barrie and told himthat Joes sister, Cathleen Gaffey,lived in Dundalk, and was at-tending adult educatiion classesat the Tara Education Centre, CoLouth VEC, he readily offered tosend a special painting of Joe.Cathleen was reduced to tearsof joy and sadness when thesurprise presentation of the valu-able painting was made to her ata special ceremony in Dundalk inMay.
As a child Joe attended the Mer-rion School in Dublin, came hometo Galway, and travelled aroundGalway and Tipperary and otherparts of the west. Cathleens fa-ther, Jim Reilly, took care of him,bringing him to fairs and markets
all over the west.
If anyone has information onTravellers who played Irishtraditional music in the past, orindeed any young Travellers cur-rently playing, could they contactTommy Fegan on [email protected], or through the TaraEducation Centre, Dundalk.
Keeping the music alive
TommyFeganpresentingtheBarrie
Maguirepainting
ofJoeGaynortohissister,CathleenG
affeyatthe
TARACentreinDundalk.
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With over two decades experi-ence working with and teachingTravellers,Una ONeillknows athing or two at this stage. HereVoice of the Travellers Margue-rite McCarthyasks the teacher afew questions for a change!
How did you get involved with Travellers?
Well Im originall rom Dublin, althoughm Grandmother was a Joce rom Gal-wa! Thats a good name isnt it? I startedm teaching career as a primar schoolteacher in St. Josephs School or Blindand visuall Impaired Bos in Drum-condra. I then got a job in Brookfeld inTallaght.We had a halting site near theschool and there was also a big uno-fcial site behind The Square in Tallaght.When a acanc or resource teacher orTraellers came up in the school I was
delighted to be picked or it. That was in1986 and I hae worked with Traellerseer since and neer looked back.
I was then oered a permanent job asisiting teacher in Tipperar in 1994, andI moed with m amil lock, stock andbarrel. I was the frst isiting teacher inTipperar and I got such a good welcomerom amilies there. I let there in 1998 .
How didyou fndthe work othe VisitingTeacher?
I loe thework,especiall
the amilwork. The
hard part is dealing withthe leels o rejection and discriminationthat amilies can eperience in eer areao their lies rom their social lies rightdown to tring to access the most basicserices. Sometimes the areas causingstress or a amil are issues which Icannot control or inuence, such as ac-commodation. I a amil hae no decentaccommodation it is er difcult or thechildren to access education. Thats notto sa that I haent worked with the most
antastic amilies who despite the mostawul liing conditions with no wateror electricit hae managed to get theirchildren through the Leaing Cert.
How have things changed since youstarted this job?
I hae seen massie changes in the worksince I started. In the beginning nearlall o m work was about getting childreninto primar school. Now most o mwork is in secondar schools and a bigpart is helping students with third leelissues such as maintenance grants. I willalwas remember Michael Mc Donaghrom Naan saing that education is apowerul weapon or Traellers, a weap-on to beat discrimination. I reall belieethat. I think we wont see real change orTraellers in Irish societ until we haelots o Traellers in powerul positionssuch as solicitors, politicians, doctorsand teachers like ou hae had in the
black ciil rights moement in America,and the now hae a black president!
We hae had a handul o Traellers inthese positions but we need lots more. Weneed to assure Traeller parents that theirchildren can still keep a strong sense otheir Traeller identit and culture whilealso going to third leel education.
We also need schools and teachers tohae the highest epectations or eachand eer Traeller. Een when our childis in plaschool, its important to praisethem or their pictures, their colouring,knowing their rhmes, and things likethat. This will gie them a reall goodsense o achieement when the go toschool and teachers hae to continue thatwork. Further up the line Traeller stu-dents need to hae confdence in them-seles in secondar school. The need totr honours subjects wheneer the can
especiall or the Junior Cert.
How do the amilies fnd you in Kerry?
youd hae to ask them that! ThankullI hae built up a reall strong relation-ship with the amilies in Kerr. I thinkIm a good listener and I tr to look at theamil as a whole unit and not just thechildren in it. I beliee in lielong learn-ing and I tr and get all o the members othe amil including parents inoled inthe education process.
I think amilies trust me and i amiliestrust ou the will be more likel toconsider our adice when it comes toimportant decisions around education.It can be er hard or Traellers to trusta sstem i the haent eperienced ansuccess in it beore. M ambition now isor one o m students heading or thirdleel to take oer m job. Thankull Ithink thatll be er soon!
Please Miss willyou answer
these questions?
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Remembrances
Michael Dohert3rd Anniversary on June 23rd.
Ennis, Co. Clare
Not gone rom Daddys memory
Not gone rom Mammys love
Just gone to live with Jesus in heaven
up above
Your sisters and your brotherss hearts
are breaking too
But they know that you are in heavenand they will always pray or you.
Sadly missed by your loving amily xx
I know how much you cared or me
and how much I cared or you,
But an Angel opened heavens gates
and let you walk right through,
That angle came, he called your
name and took you by the hand
And away you went to play in
Heavens Sea and sand
Although we knew wed miss you
when you passed away that day
Gods plan was much bigger than
ours and we couldnt make you stay,
Lots o love your aunt Siobhan,
Mammy, daddy, brothers and
sisters, nannys and granddads,
aunts, uncles, all your cousins and
your niece .
Mar-Jane (mun)WardDublin 22
9th anniversary on the 14th o May
Dear Mary-Jane my little baby niece ...
I sit here and ponder how much Id liketo talk to you today..
There are still so many things we didnt
get to say.
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2
ariEsOer the net two months new and ecitinglenges will arise, be careul to make the righcisions to see positie changes come into e
taurus
An unknown riend o a riend could proe be someone whos compan oull reall enmake the frst step and be oursel to createulflling connection
gEMiniBig changes are going to happen soon in oloe and fnancial lie, a chance meeting onsocial networking site will reintroduce someamiliar aces.
CanCErRemember this month its ok sometimes to mdemands. A more erbal approach is just whneeded in an upcoming situation.
lEoRemain upbeat in the upcoming weeks, riewill pull through i ou gie them some respsibilit. An upcoming part is just whats neto mend broken relationships.
VirgoKeep our ee on what oue achieed so athis ear. you ma need to reconsider the dition to take to get the results ou wanted in
liBraRather than dwelling on what could hae bethis month open our mind to a new wa othinking. A new pastime will lead to amazinnew riendships.
sCorPioBe patient with a loed one this month, itsharder or them to understand a situation thclear to ou. A meeting in an ofce could prluck.
sagittariusBeware o those that ou think hae our beinterests at heart this month. An inestmena group will proe luck so just go or it.
CaPriCornyou can put our ideas and eperiences intokind o words that mean a lot to other peoplthis month. Luck lies at a blue door.
aquariusThis is also the month when the wish that mthe most to ou could be ulflled. A job dito anthing ou tried beore could turn out tour ocation.
PisCEsA kind gesture to a stranger this month will the wa to a new riendship. Dont hesitate tmuch as chances can epire.
Educational Rights
Ive come to join the others,in this community hall.
Were here to learn to read and write,and to give it our all.The people here are lovely,the staff, out of this world.Without their intuition,we couldnt write a word.Im pleading to the Government,and all the educated,to help to run this place for us,for we are dedicated.We are a group of Travellers,locals are but a few.For all ye wannabe Learners,this place is here for you.
Im glad that I have come here,for now that I can read,I can write my own letters,and fill in forms if I need.So please dont shut this place down,think about it strong.To go back to the way we werewould be so very wrong.Wed like to invite ye folk,that live throughout the nation,to join in this community hall,to better your education.Dont be afraid to come here,I felt just the same.I didnt know A, B or C,or couldnt write my name.So sit and think about it,if its something youd like to do.Then have no doubts about itthis place is here for you.If you cannot read this poem,and someone else has to,just think of me and you will see,that you can do it too.
By Ann Reilly Thurles Education Centre
Dear Editor,I am writing in response to Patrick Joycesletter printed in the April issue of Voice ofthe Traveller magazine. I agree stronglywith Patricks views on marriage of youngTraveller girls and boys.In my view, (as a young Traveller girl)I believe that Travellers (especiallywomen) should put their career over their
marriage.Young Traveller girls should know whothey are and what they want before theythrow away their lives. I believe 20-25 is
still ok to get married. You might be abit older than other Traveller girls but atthat age youll have a good car your ownhouse and you wont have to be asking formammy and daddys money and mostimportantly youll have a more matureview point of the world in which to enjoylife and bring up your family.I would love to hear any further thoughtsyour readers have on this Important issue.
Yours Sincerely
Katie Wall, Dublin, age 14
Dear Editor,I watched the programmeThe Truth aboutTravellers with greatenthusiasm,nostalgiaand sadness. I am 55years of age now and theprogramme brought me backto a time in Thurles, Co Tipperary when Iwas about 6 years old.We lived at the top of the town, ArdMhuire , Loughtalla. My Dad took mewalking with him everywhere.Always before we started, Dad stoppedat Tony Harriss small grocery store andbought 3 bars of the thin Cadburyschocolate bars. His favourite walk was thecountry road on the way to Moyne,whichstarted with St Patricks Cemetry.Across from the cemetry was a Travellercaravan. Dad used to knock at the door ofthe caravan and a handsome man withsallow skin and a hat would come out andchat to him.Then Dad would hand him thechocolate bars for the girls.I called the girls Gullie,and Gollie.I reallydont know where I got those names from!
The girls were a bit older than me.Dad died in 1962,when I was eightyears old. I often wonder if that manin the caravan is still alive and if he canremember any bit of my story! I want tothank him for the lovely memories.
Marian Ryan
Letters
Letter
ofthe
month
Horoscopes
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WeddingProfileThismonthsfeatur
edweddingisPaulMcDonaghandKatrina
Connors,July2009,Malahide,Dublin
doingtheirdut
y
PageboyJimmyKerriganandfower
girlNaomiKerrigan
waitingpatiently
GroomsmenDave,DanielKerrigan,
DarrenMcDonagh,
MartinConnors,PageboyJimmyKe
rriganandShane
McDonagh.
abrideneedsherbridesmaids
!
FlowergirlNaomiwithbridesmaid
sMartina,Julie,WinnieandSandra.
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afairytalecakePaul&Katrinadothehonourscuttingthecakerriedbliss
happycoupleposeforaphoto undertheirarch
gettingexcitednow..ProudfatheMartinConnorsescortshisdaughtertothechurch.
makingitlegalSigningtheregisterwithafew
witnesses!
roudaspunchrandfathersMartinGallagherandMickeynnors
withthebride
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Out&About
celebratingin
styleVoiceotheTravellerKerryreport
erMargueriteMcCarthywithheram
ilyonher
twinsonscommuniondayinTralee.L-R,Patrick,Robin,tw
insMichael&Patrick,Kathleen,Cry
stal&Marguerite.
givingahelpinghand
CardiacFirstResponcetrainingprov
idedtostaandCEparticipants
byStJohnsAmbulanceaspartoPe
rsonaldevelopmentskillsorCE
participantsinNavanTravellersWo
rkshopsrecently.
VoiceoftheTravellerisdelightedto
printaselectionofourreadersph
otographs!
Ifyouhaveaphotographathometha
tyouwouldliketoseeinthemaga
zinepleasesenditin
tousbypostoremailvoiceofthetrav
mother and daughterGirly Connors with her daughter
Katrina32
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top of the classMarina Maughan, Mayo on her
graduation rom secondary school.
readyforaction
Joe,Hughie&MPNevin,JohnJoeOLearyandJimmyOReilly,Portlaoise.
playinghouseChloeandWataliaSweeney,Layla
McDonough,LouiseWardenjoying
theRECALLlaunchinBallymote,
Co.Sligo
littleladiesNaomiKerriganandChloeMcDonaghontheircommunionday,Dublin
motheranddaughtersGirlsfromSt.FinbarsTraininCentreinCorkCityabouttorecievetheirFETACAwards. 33
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Out&About
like a princess
BrittanyMcCarthyonherfrstholycommunion,Tralee
xxxxxAnne-Marie Bryan with her husband and sons Chris and
Patrick, Ennis.
movie night
Maggie Ward with Martin|McDonoughatlaunch oR.E.C.A.L.LinSligo.
lookslikeheaven
Thespectacularviewoverthelakes
oKillarney,takenin
therecentgoodweatherbyourveryo
wnLauraGreene.
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daddysgirl
MartinMcDonaghwithhisdaughter
Samantha,
romDublin
winners on thenightLearners and Tutors
o Thurles Education
Centre at The NorthTipperary V.E.C Awards.
writingthereport*MariaCampbellfromSt.AndrewsCollegeSligoandDr.NiamhHouriganfromUCCpicturedatthelaunchofTheTeachReportonTravellereducation.
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REvAMP 3R Furniture Store based in Longord is a huge successstor. Established in 2002 as a Social Enterprise to proide train-ing or oung people rom a welare dependent background ithas recentl been awarded the Local Leinster STAR Award 2010or making an outstanding contribution to adult learning.
Reamp 3R (standing or Reduce, Reuse, Reccle) proides aantastic serice in that it caters or those sociall ecluded insociet, equipping them with skills in urniture repair as wellas literac, personal deelopmentamong others. Consisting o a48 week course which houses 14 ouths at a time, students aretaught a ariet o skills in upholstr, tiling,IT and woodwork.The course has continuous intake and accepts ouths aged 18to 25.
As a result o the success o the course tutors Ton Lnch,Padraig Doone and Andrew Finn under the guidance o ProjectManager Tom Chapman decided to seek unding to open a storewhere urniture could be let in b members o the public to be
repaired b graduates o the course. Sponsored b LongordEmploment Deelopment and Inormation Centre the Reampstore was ofciall opened in 2005 b Duncan Stewart. Situatedon the outskirts o Longord town in Mastertech Business ParkReamp 3R is open Monda to Frida rom 9.30 to 5.30 and Sat-urda rom 10 until 5.30. With the addition o the purchase o anew an Reamp also oer a ree collection and delier sericeor urniture suitable or reuse as well as or an items sold rom
The fnal chapter in this success stor came about earlier thisear when Aontas, the National Adult Learning Organisation,announced Reamp was the recipient o a STAR Award 2010.This marked the project as an outstanding learner-centred adulteducation project and is a model that other towns and commu-nit groups could ollow suit with. Reamp also represented thecount in the All Ireland Pride o Place competition twice andwas eatured on RTEs Nationwide.
Revamp 3R can be contacted on 043-3348876 or visit their web-site www.revamp3rstore.com
Restore your aith in old urniture
Patrick Reilly, Steven
Mongan, Steven Hunt an
Michael Lawrence hard a
work in the store with ins
The Aontas STAR Award
2010
