Pictured at the 'Looking for Change' event in Athlone are from left tor right, Denise Collins Minceirs Whiden Director, Maureen Ward Minceirs Whiden Interim Co-Ordinator, who is based in Athlone and lives in Tullamore, John Boyle Minceirs Whiden National Development Worker, Martin Ward Minceirs Whiden Director and John Paul Collins Minceirs Whiden Chairperson

Travellers 'Looking for Change' event in Athlone

Deirdre Verney

Published: Fri 19 Jan 2024, 5:05 PM

Delegates from across the country attended an event in Athlone recently aimed at promoting political awareness in the Traveller community and encouraging more Irish Travellers to stand for election.

Organised by Minceirs Whiden, an all-Ireland forum for Travellers, the ‘Looking for Change’ event took place on January 18 in the Creggan Court Hotel in Athlone.

The Traveller-only event featured a panel of past and present electoral candidates, from both the North & South of Ireland, each of whom shared their experiences of contesting elections, political activism, and their thoughts on what it takes to succeed as Traveller in Irish politics.

Among the participants on the panel were John Boyle, Latisha McCrudden, Martin Ward and James Stokes.Minceirs Whiden means Travellers Talking in the Cant language.

Speaking after the event, Maureen Ward, the Interim-Coordinator for Minceirs Whiden, the Athlone-based organisation said: “Many of the key issues facing Irish Travellers today are exacerbated by under-representation of Travellers in Irish politics. With so few Travellers currently holding elected office, it is all too common for the needs of our community to go overlooked.

"Our community would benefit greatly from more voices at all levels of Irish politics.”

Ms Ward continued: “This is at a time when 60% of Travellers are reporting poor mental health, and 11% of deaths in the community are a result of suicide. At a time when we have 80% unemployment rates, and as many as 39% of us are living in unfit accommodation. Now, more than ever, do we need additional Traveller voices to come forward and fight for elected positions.”

“I believe today’s event was a massive success, and I’d like to thank everyone who attended, especially the members of the panel who were generous enough to give us their time.

"Furthermore, I am confident that today’s event will have inspired some of those in attendance to get out and become politically active, and maybe even muster the courage needed to stand for election and hopefully become a voice for our community.” concluded Ms Ward.

Minceirs Whiden is based in the ACT Centre, Parnell Square, Athlone.