Traditional crafts on show for Traveller Pride event at Grange
The Traveller Pride at Grange Resource Centre, Mullingar on Friday is the latest in an annual celebration of Traveller culture and lifestyle.
Westmeath Traveller Project ran the event and organised a range of services, relevant to the Travelling community, to be present on the day.
There were a variety of different attractions including a traditional Traveller wagon, tent and tinsmith, who demonstrated his tin shaping skills for everyone. There was a fantastic display of old Traveller photographs, lots of activities for children as well as hot food and refreshments for all. Live music was in the form of traditional Irish songs.
Christine Joyce, co-ordinator of the primary healthcare project for Travellers in Westmeath, said: “This is an important event for the young people too. They should see the way older Traveller generations lived.
“It is only made possible because of the Westmeath Traveller Project, who secured funding through event grants, RAPID and WCC Festival programme.
“I also want to thank Catherine McEntee of Youth Work Ireland Midlands for all of her continued support, SICAP co-ordinator Linda Jo Quinn and my colleagues Caroline, Bridgie, Christine, Teresa and Mary.”
Many agencies set up stalls to inform attendees about the support and services they provide.
The Irish Heart Foundation, Community Mothers, Westmeath Volunteer Service, Mullingar Mental Health, Health Promotion and Improvement and Travelling Fostering Services were among the services that attended the event.
Caroline Brickland from Health Promotion and Improvement said: “We got the opportunity to come to the Traveller Pride event to distribute information relevant to the community which we were very happy about.
“There is great engagement too, which is great.”