“Our Language, Our Legacy”: Traveller Women Unite Across the Island of Ireland

81 Traveller women come together in Newcastle to celebrate culture, share experiences and strengthen their collective voice

17 September 2026 | The Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, County Down

Traveller women from across the island of Ireland came together in Newcastle, County Down, on 17 September for a powerful cross-border conference celebrating Traveller identity, culture, language and the contribution of Traveller women across generations.

Hosted by Meath Travellers Workshop (MTW), with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs Shared Island Civic Society Fund 2026, the conference, “Our Language, Our Legacy: Traveller Women Unite in Our Culture,” brought together 81 Traveller women from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The gathering provided an important space for Traveller women to come together, share their lived experiences, celebrate achievements, acknowledge the challenges that remain, and consider how Traveller women can strengthen their collective voice into the future.

The conference was opened by Sandra McDonagh, CEO of Offaly Traveller Movement, who placed Traveller women at the heart of the day’s discussions.

“Today is about us – Traveller women,” Sandra said. “It is about recognising the strength, resilience and contribution of Traveller women throughout generations. Our mothers, our grandmothers and the women who came before us carried our culture, our traditions, our stories and our language. They passed down knowledge and values that helped to shape who we are today.”

Sandra highlighted the importance of Traveller women being able to speak for themselves and influence the decisions that affect their lives.

“Our culture is something to be proud of. Our language is part of our identity. And our legacy is something that belongs to all of us,” she said.

The conference provided an opportunity to reflect honestly on the position of Traveller women in 2026, recognising the progress that has been made while also acknowledging the challenges that continue to affect Traveller women and their families.

Discussions throughout the day focused on health and wellbeing, education and training, accommodation and living conditions, discrimination and stereotyping, and representation and voice in decision-making spaces.

Traveller women reflecting on the past and the progress made

One of the key speakers, Nell McDonagh, reflected on the experiences of Traveller women in previous generations and the significant changes that have taken place in women’s lives.

Nell spoke about the daily struggles faced by Traveller women in the past, including the difficulties of providing food and clothing for their children and the limited opportunities available to women outside the family home.

She also shared her own journey and how her life changed when she began working with Meath Travellers Workshop, initially as a childcare worker before progressing into family support and work relating to Traveller culture.

Her story highlighted the importance of opportunities and support and demonstrated how Traveller organisations can play a significant role in opening pathways for Traveller women.

Caitriona McDonagh, Traveller Family Link Worker spoke about the positive changes that have taken place for Traveller women, particularly in relation to education, training and employment.

She highlighted that opportunities are now available to Traveller women and encouraged women to engage with Traveller organisations, emphasising that linking in with a Traveller organisation can help open doors and provide access to supports and opportunities.

“This would not have been possible twenty years ago”

Ann-Marie McKee, from the Restorative Justice Project and the Western Trust in Belfast, reflected on the significance of having so many Traveller women gathered together in one room.

She highlighted that a gathering of this scale and nature would not have been possible twenty years ago and recognised the progress that Traveller women and Traveller organisations have made.

Ann-Marie praised the work of Meath Travellers Workshop in reaching out and supporting Traveller women across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

She emphasised the potential that exists when Traveller women from across the island come together, share their experiences and work collectively.

The cross-border nature of the conference was a central theme throughout the day. While Traveller women in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland experience different systems, services and supports, many of the challenges and experiences are shared.

Bringing women together created an opportunity to recognise those similarities, learn from differences and explore how stronger connections can be built across the island.

A powerful day of connection and shared experience

Laura McDonagh, Coordinator of Meath Travellers Workshop, thanked all of the women who attended the conference and acknowledged the positive energy and spirit that was evident throughout the day.

She highlighted the importance of creating spaces where Traveller women can come together, have conversations about the issues affecting their everyday lives and build relationships across communities and borders.

Marina Cunningham, Manager of Meath Travellers Workshop, also thanked the MTW staff team for the hard work and commitment that went into organising the event and acknowledged their contribution to making the conference such a success.

Marina also recognised the support provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which made the gathering possible.

“Without this investment, the 81 Traveller women would not have been able to come together from North and South to engage in conversation and discuss the important issues that affect Traveller women’s everyday lives,” Marina said.

The funding enabled Traveller women from across the island to meet, connect and share their experiences in a dedicated space centred on their voices and perspectives.

Looking to the future

The conference was not only an opportunity to reflect on the past and celebrate progress; it was also a space to look towards the future.

A key aim of “Our Language, Our Legacy” was to explore where Traveller women stand in 2026, identify the supports that are available, recognise gaps in services and consider how Traveller women’s voices can be strengthened within organisations, State agencies, public services and decision-making spaces.

The event demonstrated the importance of Traveller women having opportunities to speak for themselves, tell their own stories and participate in conversations about their communities and their future.

The gathering also celebrated the role Traveller women have played across generations in protecting and passing on Traveller culture, language, traditions and values.

With 81 Traveller women from North and South coming together in one room, the conference provided a powerful reminder of the strength that exists within Traveller communities and the possibilities that can emerge when women come together across borders.

“Our Language, Our Legacy: Traveller Women Unite in Our Culture” was a celebration of Traveller women, their history, their achievements and their future — while creating a space for women to connect, be heard and build stronger relationships across the island of Ireland.

END of Press Release

For further information and media enquiries:
Meath Travellers Workshop
Marina Cunningham
Manager
087-3127807
Marina.travellerheritage@gmail.com

Conference: Our Language, Our Legacy: Traveller Women Unite in Our Culture
Date: 17 September 2026
Venue: The Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, County Down
Hosted by: Meath Travellers Workshop
Supported by: Department of Foreign Affairs Shared Island Civic Society Fund 2026