Dundalk group win at Traveller Pride Awards
A group of young people from Dundalk who set up a youth club for Travellers, were among the winnrs at the annual Traveller Pride Awards which took place in the Pillar Room, Dublin, recently.
The Lucht Siúl Óga t club are a group of 10 youth leaders, aged 17-23yrs, who run a weekly youth club for young Travellers.
Twenty-three year old Niamh Black is one of the leaders. ‘We are over the moon to win this award as it’s recognition for the work we are doing.’
‘ There ten of us, all from Traveller backgrounds, all in education, who run the youth club and organise activities for the children.’
Lucht Siúl Óga was set up in 2016 with backing from Louth Leader Partnership, Youth Work Ireland, Le Cheile Community Development Project and meets in the Community Centre, Muirhevnamor.
‘ There was need for it as there was no youth club for Travellers in the area and some Traveller children won’t go to other youth clubs as they don’t feel comfortable.’
Niamh and fellow leaders Sylvia Black, Kerri Lee Mc Dermott, Kieran Mc Donagh, Courtney Quilton, Caoimhe Gaffey, Carly Stokes, Michael Quinn, Patrick Gaffey, and Gerry Joyce all took part in a twelve week training programme.
They meet every Tuesday to plan activities for the club which takes place on Wednesday. ‘We have between 15 and 20 young people aged between seven and ten years coming along each week and they have a say in what activities they would like to see happening,’ explains Niamh. Activities range from arts and crafts to science projects and movie nights.
The leaders from Lucht Siúl Óga joined other winners from Dublin, Cavan, Galway, Westmeath and Carlow who were presented with the awards.
ell-known guest presenters and speakers who attended the lively celebration of Travellers and Traveller champions from all walks of life, included Minister of State for Justice David Stanton, boxing World champion Andy Lee, singer / songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, Gavin Duffy of Dragon’s Den fame, Rory O’Neill aka Panti Bliss, and Johnathon McCrea, broadcaster and presenter of Newstalk’s Futureproof.