Offaly Traveller Movement wins Traveller Pride Youth award

The Offaly Traveller Movement Youth Group has taken home the Youth Award at the 17th Traveller Pride Awards this week.

The Offaly Traveller Movement Youth Group took home the Youth (12-18) Award, which recognises a group of young people who are using creativity to celebrate who they are and to share that pride with their wider community.

The groups woven willow wigwam structure was displayed at the Hazel Hub, Tullamore during Traveller Pride Week.

“These Traveller Pride Awards show there are many ways to be a Traveller,” said event host Martin Beanz Warde, comedian, dramatist, tv presenter and recently appointed National Co Ordinator of Traveller Pride Week.

“Our theme is ‘Looking back, Moving forward: Being an individual while celebrating our collective history’ – and these awards highlight individual identities while also celebrating pride in the community and contribution to wider society overall.”

The Awards, now in their 17th year are organised by the The Traveller Pride Week Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from Involve CLG, Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre, Irish Traveller Movement, National Traveller Women’s Forum, Exchange House Ireland, Minceirs Whidden and Parish of the Travelling Community and is supported by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.