Travellers Project celebrates 25 years improving lives and culture

The Tallaght Travellers Community Development Project celebrated 25 years of improving Travellers lives and validating their culture.

The landmark was celebrated at the Fettercairn Youth and Community Centre on Friday with councillors, TDs, HSE representatives attending alongside TTCDP staff.

“The project is a partnership between Travellers, settled people and South Dublin County Council, to address the discrimination Travellers face every day, and the inequalities they experience in every aspect of their life, such as education and employment,” said Colette Spears, Primary Health Care Co-Ordinator at Tallaght Travellers CDP.

“It creates opportunities that enable Travellers to improve their status, life chances and living conditions, which validates their culture and ethnicity,” she added.

A lot was achieved throughout these 25 years, explained Colette, from healthcare to homework projects, with “much unseen work” which made a small difference every day.

Nelly McDonagh, Pauline Eaton, Sallyann Wall, Mary Cassidy and Marianne Maughan

A recipient of awards for enterprise, Tallaght Travellers CDP has developed key relationships with state agencies to deliver the best to its beneficiaries. “Travellers trust the project as a support for every individual,” she said.

However, it was acknowledged that “there are still challenges that Travellers face such as issues in accommodation, education, access to employment and low life expectancy.”

“We are celebrating what TTCDP past and present staff achieved over 25 years, but there are not many projects that have survived due to cuts to community development,” said TTCDP Community Development Worker Mary Cassidy at the event.

TTCDP ensured they will “continue to support change and fight for the rights of Travellers in Tallaght,” keeping up the good work with other local community groups and state agencies.

Pauline Eaton, Alan Hanley and Marianne Maughan

Griddle bread and “Traveller stews” were served at the event while Michael Banks played Traveller tunes.

Tallaght Alcohol and Drugs Task Force, Pavee Point, National Traveller Women’s Forum, National Traveller MABs, Exchange House, Traveller Counselling Service, Jigsaw, Swan Family Support, and Tallaght Traveller Youth Service also supported the cause by attending the celebration.