Traveller activist and storyteller Chrissy Donoghue Ward speaks about the importance of how her community is represented publicly
The Traveller community is going through an ongoing mental health crisis. Activist and storyteller Chrissy Donoghue Ward, who has been campaigning for equality for decades, hopes her new book will help break down enduring prejudiceactivist says she cannot read, but her storytelling ability shines through in a new children’s book, The Fairy Queen. She was recorded telling the story, which was transcribed and adapted to fit a picture-book illustrated by Monika Mitkute.
Pointing to high levels of unemployment as a key factor in this mental health crisis, Donoghue Ward expresses her concern that prejudice continues to be directed at job-seeking Travellers. “There’s not many people would trust Travellers in a job,” she says. The community has an unemployment rate of 61 per cent, as revealed in the 2022 census.
This lack of a sense of belonging, especially among Traveller children, often stems from the exclusion and discrimination they face in school, she says. According to a report on the community’s experience of the education system in Ireland,– especially at second level. The Government-commissioned report, Out of the Shadows, was conducted on behalf of the Department of Education as part of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
“Children don’t understand if there’s no one to tell them. Some of them, they think that everything is wrong about a Traveller ... There’s a lot of good, kind people there. In the past, like what’s in that book , it was like they were welcome everywhere.” Through her storytelling, Donoghue Ward has produced a tale with an underlying powerful message about the discrimination faced by the Traveller community through history, conveyed in a way that is understandable for young children.
Speaking of historical criminalisation of Travellers, she said this promoted a culture of fear in older generations. “My father used to make jewellery. If he was stuck for a few bob he’d play the accordion or the tin whistle at the dog racing and places like that. He was very good with the music.” An accordion gleams from among the treasures. “He’d make the wagons. He’d make water cans, he’d make pots, kettles, baskets,” she adds.
Travellers Dublin Mental-Health For-You
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
RTE's Tony O'Donoghue jokes he may get UEFA booking for getting Ireland teamThe well-known TV correspondent asked Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson for the Ireland starting line-up for the Nations League game ahead of time and was surprised to receive it at the Olympic Stadium
Read more »
Derry's Jude McAtamney becomes first Irishman to score NFL points in 39 yearsThe former GAA player follows in the footsteps of Dubliner Neil O’Donoghue.
Read more »
Hotel ordered to pay €5,000 to Traveller who was refused accommodationThe Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Mulroy Woods Hotel had breached the Equal Status Act 2000 by refusing to allow Martin McDonagh stay in the hotel due to his membership of the Traveller community last year
Read more »
– Pádraigín Riggs on Traveller and storyteller Tomás Ó CathasaighThe stories contain clear traces of antiquity, and many focus on natural events
Read more »
Late night trains and welfare zones: Dublin's Night Mayor reveals potential plansThe Night Mayor Ray O'Donoghue was speaking after the launch of the Dublin City Night-time Economy Strategy
Read more »
Family settles action over death of woman (77) allegedly found unresponsive on GP treatment room floorMary O’Donoghue had been attending a Mallow GP’s clinic for a routine therapeutic blood-removal procedure
Read more »