Donegal Travellers Project to mark 30th anniversary with conference

Donegal Travellers Project are set to mark its 30th anniversary.

They will hold a conference on Thursday, June 4, at The Silver Tassie Hotel Letterkenny, with support from their project ‘Pride Not Prejudice’, supported by PEACEPLUS; a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

David Friel, the ATU Letterkenny and Chairperson of the Board of Management DTP, who is chairing the event, said: “Donegal Travellers Project has spent 30 years challenging discrimination and advancing human rights for Travellers, and this conference is a radical space to recognise, reflect on, and continue that work.”

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The conference will bring together a distinguished panel of speakers and contributors from across the Traveller rights movement, human rights, equality and community development.

Special guest speakers include Ann Friel, Assistant Project Manager/Primary Healthcare Coordinator Donegal Travellers Project; Anastasia Crickley, Chairperson of AIEB/member of the CWI Central Group; Martin Collins, co-director Pavee Point; and Liam Herrick (Chief Commissioner IHREC.

The event will feature a large curated exhibition of Traveller and Roma art with support from Shaun Hannigan. There will be several panel discussions exploring key issues impacting Black Minority Ethnic communities, including Traveller and Roma, discussing representation, human rights, and collaborative approaches to social inclusion at both a local and national level.

A keynote panel conversation on Traveller history, heritage, and representation will feature Dr Rosaleen McDonagh, writer, playwright, performer and a member of Aosdána. Rosaleen holds a BA, two MPhils from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from Northumbria University.

She was reappointed a Human Rights Commissioner in June 2025 and is a member of the Arts Council of Ireland. She will be joined by author and folklorist Oein De Bharduin, who is an Irish Traveller activist, educator, administrator and is the co-founder of LGBT Tara, Traveller and Roma Alliance, and also Senator Eileen Flynn, Irish independent politician and activist who made history in June 2020 as the first Traveller woman appointed to Seanad Éireann.

Manager Siobhan McLaughlin said: “I have great pride and solidarity with the Traveller and Roma communities as we look forward to this conference. A space to consider, celebrate, and reflect on the achievements, opportunities, and challenges over the last 30 years. DTP has, and continues to promote interculturalism and equality with and for the Traveller and Roma communities here in the county. The exhibition of work and the traditional music session will make this a wonderful immersive experience.”

Karin White, ATU Sligo, who is secretary of the board of management of DTP said: “I have been involved with DTP for over 15 years, as member of staff and then as member of the Board of Management, and I am so proud to have been a small part of this brilliant organisation and their great achievements, and now to participate in the celebration of the amazing Traveller and Roma communities and others who work with them’.

The conference will conclude with a traditional music session featuring renowned musicians, including Bianca Rohleder, Ballyshannon/Dublin, who is a granddaughter of well-known Donegal Traveller fiddler Simon Doherty (1885-1962), Seamus Gibson, Caomhín Mac Aoidh, and Gearóid O'Mhunaigh.

This is a wonderful opportunity to mark the contribution that traditional musicians from the traveller community have made to the Donegal music scene.

Guest speaker Martin Collins is looking forward to attending and commented: “Well done to DTP on this incredible milestone! In that time you have demonstrated a vision of a place where Pavees and Roma are valued, and whose rights are respected and protected. This vision has equally been matched by courage and strong leadership.”

In attendance will be supporters from local and national bodies, affiliates, local and national government representatives, as well as some of the founding members of Donegal Travellers Project. The conference is now fully booked, but the music session is open to all from 3.30pm. For enquiries, contact Emma Lou Kerr on 0868257826 or email [email protected].