Supporting Roma families in Clare through education, wellbeing, community participation and inclusion.
The Clare Roma Inclusion Project supports Roma families living in the Ennis and Kilrush areas and has been active in County Clare since April 2018.
The project works to improve English literacy, strengthen health and wellbeing, encourage community participation, and build stronger intercultural ties between Roma people and the wider community in Clare.
English Literacy
Improving confidence and communication through everyday English use across project activities.
Community integration
Helping Roma families become more involved in community life in County Clare.
Intercultural ties
Building stronger understanding and connection between Roma people and the wider community.
Health and wellbeing
Supporting better health, wellbeing, employability and inclusion outcomes for Roma families.
Who we work with
The Clare Roma Inclusion Project works with Roma families living in the Ennis and Kilrush areas.
English is actively encouraged throughout activities to support confidence, communication and inclusion.
Highlights from the project
Since the project began in April 2018, activities have included art classes for parents and children, Zumba classes for women, intercultural events with Roma music and food, a family trip to Fota Island in Cork, Christmas events in Ennis, jewellery and lampshade-making workshops with Ennis Community College, and crochet and knitting classes in Kilrush involving Roma families and other new communities.
In celebration of International Roma Day on April 8th, 2023, the Roma Inclusion project officially launched ‘This Is Us’ – a video collaboration between Clare Youth Service and the Roma Inclusion Project. Young people who are learners at Clare Youth Service introduce themselves and discuss Roma Cultures including family, religion, beliefs and celebrations.
Recent project activity
The work of the Clare Roma Inclusion Project continues to be reflected across CLDC’s wider community and inclusion work, including more recent wellbeing, cultural and participation-focused activities with Roma families in Clare.
Lost Voices
CLDC marked International Roma Day with Lost Voices, an exhibition in Ennis featuring artwork by members of the local Roma community. The exhibition explored identity, migration, resilience, family and belonging, while creating space for dialogue and understanding.
Men’s Health Day
The Clare Roma Inclusion Project was represented at National Traveller and Roma Men’s Health Day in Dublin, where Roma and Traveller men came together for sport, health awareness and community connection.
The event highlighted health, inclusion and positive engagement at national level, fostering better long term impacts for this demographic.
Why this work matters
The Clare Roma Inclusion Project helps create greater confidence, participation and belonging for Roma families in County Clare. By supporting learning, wellbeing and shared community experiences, the project strengthens inclusion at local level and helps build stronger relationships across communities.
Get in touch
Ruth Underwood
Roma Project Worker
Get help with housing, social welfare, health services, or Roma project events!
Email: Runderwood@cldc.ie
Phone: 087 9308399