Pavee Point

Traveller Pride Week is in full swing, with a host of events already taking place over the weekend.

There's plenty on the agenda for today around the country & lots more to come during the week.

📍Keep an eye on https://www.travellerprideweek.org/ for your local events 📍

Bru Bhríde - Family Resource Centre Sligo Traveller Support Group Ltd Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement FDYS County Wexford

Blessing of Barnlodge Grotto

As part of our ongoing national and regional work with Traveller men, our Men's Health team has been working with residents from Barnlodge to build a grotto in remembrance of those who have passed away.

Father Paddy Kelly came out to the site on Monday, performing a blessing of the grotto and praying for the people on site. Many thanks to all who contributed to the Grotto including the Traveller men in Barnlodge for the planning and building.

The building of the Grotto was made possible with support from the Eastern Region Traveller Health Unit.

This week we learned of the passing of Roma Holocaust survivor of Mr. Dumitru Miclescu at the age of 92.

In 2025 he became the first Roma Holocaust survivor from Romania to address the United Nations General Assembly.

In his speech to the UN he emphasised the importance of education and awareness, and called for global recognition of the Roma Holocaust: "Recognition is the first step toward justice, and justice is the basis of healing."

Dumitru Miclescu was born on March 8th, 1934, and was one of the last Roma Holocaust survivors from Romania who carried within him the living memory of deportation to Transnistria and the suffering endured by Roma families during the Porajmos, often referred to as the Forgotten Roma Genocide during the Holocaust.

Pavee Point commemorates the Roma Genocide each year as part of our ongoing work to create the space for the Roma community to remember and recall, and for Irish society to become more aware of the Roma Holocaust. Roma Genocide Remembrance Day takes place on August 2nd.

We extend our deepest condolences to Dumitru's family, loved ones and wider community. May he rest in peace.

“These Traveller Pride Awards show there are many ways to be a Traveller.”

Stellar MC, and National Co-Ordinator of Traveller Pride Week, Martin Beanz Warde yesterday led a packed room in Dublin through the Traveller Pride Awards 2026.

The Galwegian comedian and dramatist presided over a stacked schedule, with some nine awards handed out to Travellers great and good from both sides of the Irish Sea.

Visit our website for more: https://www.paveepoint.ie/travellers-from-ireland-and-uk-celebrated-at-traveller-pride-awards-2026/

Pic1: Martin Beanz Warde & John Doherty
Pic2: Jules McDonagh & Cathleen McDonagh Clark
Pic3: Maureen Ward & Dol O’Reilly
Pic4: Martin McDonagh & Philomena Poole
Pic5: Kyle Harvey & Helena Power
Pic6: Keith McDonagh, Jane Ward & Kara McGann
Pic7: Michael Reilly & Brian Kerr

All photos by Richard Walshe.

Traveller Pride Week

The third in our series of infographics — 'Stall, Pause and Use your Nuck' — explores the work of Primary Health Care for Travellers Projects : looking at the history and mission of PHCTPs.

Visit https://www.paveepoint.ie/ for more.

Pavee Mothers delivered an anti-racism and discrimination training input and hosted an information stand featuring culturally appropriate resources.

During the event, they had the opportunity to speak with the Master of the National Maternity Hospital, Professor Jennifer Walsh.

They discussed Pavee Mothers' ongoing work and the valuable partnership between the social work service in Holles Street and the PM programme.

It was a great event and a wonderful way to kick off Traveller Pride Week.

Pavee Point's Education Team and Pavee Mothers attended the launch of Children’s Rights in the Balance, the 2025 Annual Report of the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO).

The report highlights key issues impacting children and young people across Ireland and emphasises the importance of ensuring children’s rights remain central in policy and practice.

The launch provided an important opportunity to reflect on the experiences of children and young people who continue to face inequality and barriers to accessing their rights, including Traveller and Roma children and young people.

Pavee Point welcomed the report’s focus on accountability, participation and the need for coordinated action to improve outcomes for all children.

Pavee Point recognises the critical role of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in advocating for children’s rights and highlighting the lived realities of children and young people experiencing poverty, discrimination and exclusion.

Read the report here: https://www.oco.ie/library/2025-annual-report-childrens-rights-in-the-balance/



Pictured: Valerie O'Leary (Pavee Mothers); Niall Muldoon (The Ombudsman for Children)

Support strong & loud for Yves Sakila outside the Dáil

Very excited for the Traveller Pride Awards!

Just about to get under way at the Rotunda Hospital...

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, announced on Wednesday the opening of applications for the Traveller and Roma Local Employment Initiative.

The local employment initiative was established in 2006 (as the ‘Special Initiative for Travellers’) to address the disproportionately high levels of unemployment and underemployment experienced by Travellers and Roma in Ireland.

Under the expanded new initiative - now including Roma communities in its remit - the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are encouraging organisations with experience in local recruitment, training, and advocacy supports for Travellers and Roma, as well as community development & peer outreach, to apply to deliver the Traveller and Roma Local Employment Initiative.

Eligible organisations for funding can apply for the initiative via equality[@]dcde.gov.ie. Applications close at midday on 17 June 2026.

Further information on eligibility criteria and the application process can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/open-call-traveller-and-roma-local-employment-initiative-expansion-local-offices-and-national-coordinator/

The Special Rapporteur on Racism and Racial Equality, Ebun A Joseph, has today written formally to the Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan TD, the Garda Commissioner, and the Executive Director of Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman expressing profound concern regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Yves Sakila in Dublin.

Read full details of the correspondence here: https://www.paveepoint.ie/calls-for-full-independent-investigation-into-the-death-of-yves-sakila/

An Garda Síochána