Press Release December 2006
Official Launch of Traveller Focus Week 2006
Venue: The Atrium, National Gallery of Ireland
Time: 11.15am
Traveller Focus Week commences Monday 4th December with an official launch in the National Gallery of Ireland at 11.00am by Ms Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children of Louis le Brocquy’s Tinker Series Calendar
The theme of the week is PARTICIPATION reflecting one of the key objectives of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NPAR) under which auspices the week is being funded. Events occurring during the week throughout the country will focus on Traveller participation in the cultural and public life of Irish society.
The poster advertising the week is a print of Louis le Brocquy’s, Irish Tinkers,1948 Aubusson tapestry and the week will provide an opportunity to document and celebrate Travellers’ contribution to Irish art, music, culture and society.
“I am delighted for this calendar to be launched,” says Ms Winnie Kerrigan Pavee Point Culture and Heritage Coordinator. “Louis le Brocquy showed recognition and respect for the Travellers in the 1940s…The paintings in the Calendar show us our history and it shows other people our history. The Calendar can reach a great many people and it is a way of educating people that our culture has been here for a long time and has a long history”, says Ms Kerrigan.
“Travellers will always have a good strong culture and we are very proud of these paintings, our culture and the man that did them. Travellers shouldn’t have to deny our identity in order to be treated equally. It’s great to be able to see these pictures, it makes us feel important that Travellers are in museums and galleries and that we are part of Irish society and history and also that our children will get to see their heritage in years to come,” says Ms Kerrigan.
“Traveller participation in Irish society has long been overlooked”, says Ms Ronnie Fay Director Pavee Point Travellers Centre. “The focus on Travellers is all too often a negative one, this week gives us the opportunity to celebrate and value the very positive elements and contribution Travellers have made to the cultural and artistic life of this Island. There is another side to Traveller life that rarely gets portrayed, Travellers living their everyday lives and contributing to Irish society. That’s what we are focusing on at this launch”, says Ms Fay.
A series of events will take place throughout the country including Galway Traveller Movement’s Launch of Baseline Report on Travellers in Galway on 4th December in the Ardilaun Hotel. ENDS
For a full listing of events please see Programme attached or log on to
www.paveepoint.ie/focus-week.html
For Further details Contact: Terry Battles: 01 8780255 EXT:103
Issued by Pavee Point Travellers Centre, 46 North Great Charles St., Dublin 1.