November Newsletter
October News
Hot off the presses, check out our October Newsletter, full of inspiration and support for our community.
Celebrating Traveller Pride: A Journey Through Heritage and History in County Clare
In journalism, we learn that timeliness is key to telling your story. But it’s equally important to reflect on meaningful stories, as they continue to impact people all around us. This is one such story.
Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is a community organization and charity dedicated to supporting marginalised communities, including the Traveller community in Clare. This article highlights Traveller Pride, and its significance for Irish history, our lives today, and future generations to come.
In May 2024, the Clare Traveller Community Development Project (CDP) hosted an unforgettable Traveller Pride event in Lee’s Road, celebrating the rich culture and heritage of the Traveller community. The event, which attracted over 200 attendees, showcased a Living History Exhibition that transported visitors back to the 1950s, offering a rare and immersive glimpse into Traveller life during that era.
The centrepiece of the exhibition was a fully restored Barrel Top Wagon, a traditional tent, and a flat cart, all set against the backdrop of a campfire, reminiscent of a bygone era. Visitors were treated to live demonstrations of tinsmithing, storytelling by Traveller women, and an authentic camp scene that highlighted the traditions and lifestyle of Travellers from decades past.
Bridgie Casey, Coordinator of Clare Traveller CDP, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This is an amazing opportunity to get an insight into Traveller heritage and history, and the contribution of Travellers to Irish history for our community and the settled community.”
The day was filled with entertainment for all ages, including live music, performances, and a family-friendly barbecue that brought the community together.
The event provided a platform for both Travellers and the settled community to engage, learn, and appreciate the rich cultural tapestry of the Traveller community. Martin McDonagh, the men’s development worker with the CDP, highlighted the importance of such events, saying, “All are welcome on the day to share the celebration of our culture and learn about our identity. It is important that our history is passed down through the generations.”
Reflecting on the event, Maja Syncerz, a community development worker with the CDP, expressed the importance of having a day to simply celebrate and be proud. “As the Traveller CDP, we advocate a lot, we challenge discrimination, run programmes, and the community engage with our services and do absolutely fantastic work. And It’s just nice to do something positive, with Traveller Pride. Often the stuff that Travellers are dealing with on a daily basis is discrimination, fighting and loss. Having a chance to just be together and celebrate, it’s no small thing. That day is really, really important, to just come there, enjoy and be proud.”
“Having a chance to just be together and celebrate, it’s no small thing. That day is really, really important, to just come there, enjoy and be proud.”
Culture & Identity is a core tenant of the Traveller CDP’s work, and this event was a great opportunity to build connection and raise awareness. “It’s amazing to see Traveller Pride being celebrated every year, and the culture and heritage being recognized,” Maja added. Not only was it attended by members of the Traveller community, but there was a lot of interest from the settled community too. There’s a real lack of recognition of Traveller history and culture, and it’s nice to bring that back and highlight their contribution to Irish history.“
One of the most poignant moments of the day came from the older generation of Travellers, who became emotional as they reminisced about their past. “Some of the older generation of Travellers actually got a bit emotional, reflecting on family members that had passed on, and their experiences of childhood,” said Maja. “It sparked conversations about identity and what life was like, making it more than just an exhibition—it was a connection to their roots.”
The event also provided an opportunity for parents and grandparents to educate the younger generation about their heritage. As children explored the exhibition, they were guided by their elders, who shared stories of their own experiences. “Having that physical representation really increased that connection for everyone. It wasn’t just a story, it was an actual experience,” Bridgie added.
This year’s Traveller Pride event marked the third annual celebration by Clare Traveller CDP, and it was the largest yet. The interactive nature of the Living History Exhibition was a result of community feedback from previous years, where attendees expressed a desire for a more hands-on experience. “Traveller Pride will always be centred around the community, and led by the community. The success of the event highlighted the importance of cultural identity and the need to celebrate Traveller heritage.”
Ciara Griffin, on behalf of CLDC, echoed this sentiment, saying, “It’s a really positive showcase for the community, of the culture and identity of Travellers. It’s wonderful when organizations can come together and help support Travellers to celebrate their own ethnicity.” She emphasized the importance of such events in counteracting negative stereotypes and media portrayals, showcasing the positive aspects of Traveller life.
The day was a true celebration of Traveller culture and history, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended. As Maja put it, “Traveller culture made a massive, massive contribution to Irish history. All of our differences should be celebrated, explored with curiosity, and supported, rather than outcasted.”
Traveller Pride 2024 was a day of unity, reflection, and celebration—a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and honouring the rich heritage of the Traveller community.
September News + Grant Funding Opportunities
Check out our September news and highlights!
Click the text above, or the image, to view it.
You can also subscribe to our newsletters from the “Contact” button on our menu.
Enjoy!
CLDC’s Statement of Decision to leave Twitter/X
STATEMENT OF DECISION
Clare Local Development Company wishes to share that as an organisation, we will no longer use or endorse the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
CLDC is an organisation that promotes and practices tolerance and support for all people, especially disadvantaged communities and marginalised voices. We no longer feel that X/Twitter is fairly moderated or democratically managed, and we strongly disagree with actions taken by the company which have contributed to the spread of disinformation and hate speech, incited violence and discrimination, and threatened the safety of the public (particularly people who have faced systemic discrimination). We believe that using X/Twitter is no longer in integrity with our values as an organisation.
We will continue to use other social media platforms in a way that aligns with our values, to the best of our ability.
#WeAreCLDC #integritymatters #useyourvoiceforgood
August News is out!
🌟 Hot off the press! Our highly anticipated and much-coveted monthly newsletter is here! From new business supports and grants to funding opportunities and festivals, we’re sprinkling magic like a bakery on opening day! We’ve got summer camps, Traveller men’s groups, fresh inclusion strategies, and more Humans of CLDC to introduce you to. Ready to dive in? Grab your beverage of choice, and prepare to be inspired and informed. ✨