CLDC Marks International Roma Day with ‘Lost Voices’ Exhibition in Ennis

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is marking International Roma Day on 8 April with an awareness campaign highlighting the voices, experiences and culture of the Roma community in County Clare.

As part of the build up to the day, CLDC’s Roma Inclusion Project hosted “Lost Voices”, a powerful exhibition of artwork created by members of the local Roma community at De Valera Library in Ennis on Monday, 30 March.

The exhibition offered insight into identity, culture and lived experience. Through art, participants shared stories of migration, resilience, family and belonging — giving voice to experiences that are often unheard.

The exhibition created an important space for dialogue and understanding, inviting the wider community in Clare to reflect on both the richness of Roma culture and the challenges many Roma people continue to face.

International Roma Day, celebrated annually on 8 April, recognises the history, culture and contributions of Roma communities worldwide, while also raising awareness of ongoing discrimination and inequality.

CLDC’s Roma Inclusion Project has been supporting Roma families in Ennis and Kilrush since 2018, providing opportunities for education, community participation and creative expression. Through initiatives such as art workshops and intercultural events, the project helps build confidence, strengthen connections and promote inclusion across communities.

As Roma Day approaches, CLDC is encouraging people across County Clare to take time to learn more about Roma history and culture, to listen to Roma voices, and to support efforts towards greater equality and inclusion.

To learn more about the work of the Roma Inclusion Project talk to Ruth Underwood, Project Officer at Runderwood@cldc.ie.