• President Michael D. Higgins meeting members of the Roma community in Pavee Point ©Photo by Derek Speirs
    President Michael D. Higgins meeting members of the Roma community in Pavee Point ©Photo by Derek Speirs
  • My name is Gabi. I have lived in Ireland for 17 years. I am an Irish citizen and I belong to Ireland. I am proud to be a Roma woman, mother, wife and activist. Through my work at Pavee Point I want to make a change for the Roma community, especially the Roma women. I want to see Roma women and girls to stand up for themselves and their rights. I want them to have this courage. It is important to live in solidarity with others and to have the courage to say we are the Roma. ©Photo by James Fraher
    My name is Gabi. I have lived in Ireland for 17 years. I am an Irish citizen and I belong to Ireland. I am proud to be a Roma woman, mother, wife and activist. Through my work at Pavee Point I want to make a change for the Roma community, especially the Roma women. I want to see Roma women and girls to stand up for themselves and their rights. I want them to have this courage. It is important to live in solidarity with others and to have the courage to say we are the Roma. ©Photo by James Fraher
  • My name is Alex and I am proud to be called Roma. It is not about having something special than other people, it is just who I am. I am a 26 years old man working in Enniscorthy Co. Wexford in a positive and creative environment. I am working with the Roma Community in Co. Wexford and every day I can see other people that are feeling proud to be Roma. For me, every day is Roma International Day. Every day it’s a new opportunity to be proud.
    My name is Alex and I am proud to be called Roma. It is not about having something special than other people, it is just who I am. I am a 26 years old man working in Enniscorthy Co. Wexford in a positive and creative environment. I am working with the Roma Community in Co. Wexford and every day I can see other people that are feeling proud to be Roma. For me, every day is Roma International Day. Every day it’s a new opportunity to be proud.
  • My name is Delia and I have been living in Ireland for 19 years. I finished school and went to college in Ireland where I studied travel and tourism. I absolutely loved educating myself, it was a wonderful experience. Now I have a one year old baby boy named Jacob to love and educate. I am very proud to be Roma for so many different reasons. For example, our culture and our Roma language - that we can communicate with different Roma throughout Europe. I’m proud of our traditions which have such a big impact upon our children and families. If I wasn’t Roma, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
    My name is Delia and I have been living in Ireland for 19 years. I finished school and went to college in Ireland where I studied travel and tourism. I absolutely loved educating myself, it was a wonderful experience. Now I have a one year old baby boy named Jacob to love and educate. I am very proud to be Roma for so many different reasons. For example, our culture and our Roma language - that we can communicate with different Roma throughout Europe. I’m proud of our traditions which have such a big impact upon our children and families. If I wasn’t Roma, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
  • My name is Tica (pictured second from the right). I work with Pavee Point as a community worker. I am a pastor in Emmanuel church and a leader in our community. My hobbies are soccer and helping people. I was born Roma and I am proud of my origin. I don’t know any other way to be than Roma. I would like other people to learn about our culture and community since we are part of Ireland. ©Photo by James Fraher
    My name is Tica (pictured second from the right). I work with Pavee Point as a community worker. I am a pastor in Emmanuel church and a leader in our community. My hobbies are soccer and helping people. I was born Roma and I am proud of my origin. I don’t know any other way to be than Roma. I would like other people to learn about our culture and community since we are part of Ireland. ©Photo by James Fraher
  • My name is Gina. I was born in Romania. I’ve been in Ireland for sixteen years. I am training to be a nurse so I can help people. I am proud to be Roma because our ancestors have made a name in this world. Our Roma ancestors have done some great things in their time and I would love to make a difference in the world of today to show there is more to us Roma. We can achieve great things and make a change for the future. There’s more to a book than just the cover! ©Photo by Alison McDonnell
    My name is Gina. I was born in Romania. I’ve been in Ireland for sixteen years. I am training to be a nurse so I can help people. I am proud to be Roma because our ancestors have made a name in this world. Our Roma ancestors have done some great things in their time and I would love to make a difference in the world of today to show there is more to us Roma. We can achieve great things and make a change for the future. There’s more to a book than just the cover! ©Photo by Alison McDonnell
  • My name is Joseph. I come from the Czech Republic. I came to Ireland in 2006 to my brother who was working here. I’m proud to be Roma because I love our culture and tradition. I think it’s important not only for Roma but for all the people in all the world to celebrate International Roma Day and to understand Roma history. I first learned about what happened to the Roma communities during the Holocaust when I was 9 or 10 when I saw the tattoo on my grandmother’s hand. She then told me stories of what happened to her in the concentration camp when she was only 12 years old. Roma were separated into “Gypsy” camps. We should never forget what happened.
    My name is Joseph. I come from the Czech Republic. I came to Ireland in 2006 to my brother who was working here. I’m proud to be Roma because I love our culture and tradition. I think it’s important not only for Roma but for all the people in all the world to celebrate International Roma Day and to understand Roma history. I first learned about what happened to the Roma communities during the Holocaust when I was 9 or 10 when I saw the tattoo on my grandmother’s hand. She then told me stories of what happened to her in the concentration camp when she was only 12 years old. Roma were separated into “Gypsy” camps. We should never forget what happened.
  • Celebrating International Roma and Traveller Day with Musicantia. ©Photo by Derek Speirs
    Celebrating International Roma and Traveller Day with Musicantia. ©Photo by Derek Speirs
  • Celebrating International Roma and Traveller Day ©Photo by Derek Speirs
    Celebrating International Roma and Traveller Day ©Photo by Derek Speirs

Roma people are part of a minority ethnic group that originated in India and migrated across Europe over 1000 years. EU institutions use ‘Roma’ as an umbrella term for people who self identify as belonging to Roma, Sinti, Ashkali, Manush and other groups with a nomadic tradition- including Irish Travellers.  Romani is the official language of Roma, with different variances of the language across regions.

More information on Roma in Europe