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Travellervoice of the

February 2009 Issue 674.25

Finbar

FureyLookingbackonf

our

decadesofmusicfrom

oneofIrelandsgreatest

musicians

win35

FrancescoAlesisexhibitionofTraveller

TheItalianPerspect

ive

ackinBusiness:NewDVDlaunched

GerryRyanspeaksout...Newsround-up

ftheshoefits:Theworkofafarrier

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Simply fill out te form below and post it to us wa ceque, bank draft or postal order (No cas plemade payable to NATC.

Te magazine is publised 6 times a year. Tesubscription rate (including P&P) is35. Discounavailable on multiple issues. Please contact umore details on 090 6498016.

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address

Where did you hear about Voice of ttraVeller?

Please seNd me coPies Voice of the traVeller

Return to: Laura Greene, Sales & Marketing Officer, NAT1, Monksland Business Park, Atlone, Co. Roscommon.

SubScribeWy not subscribe and ave Voice of the Travellerdelivered to you,ot off te press?!

Submissionsforinclusionintenext

editionofVoiceof

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beforeFriday,Marc

6,2009.

ContactteVoiceoftheTravellerteam

Jnn(Editor):jenny.mcardle@natc.

ie

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ie

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ey@natc.ie

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a.curley@natc.ie

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ene@natc.ie

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ael.power@natc.ie

VoiceoftheTraveller,NATC,Unit1,M

onkslandBusiness

Park,Atlone,Co.Roscommon

e:voiceoftetraveller@natc.ie

Pleasenoteprintoutsofpotograp

sarenolonger

accepted.Allpotosmustbeemails

asjpegsorposted

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lerdonot

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epotos

submittedtotemagazinemaybeus

edonourwebsite.

h,

Itsgreattoaveyouwitus

againforourFebruaryissue.I

mustsayamassivetankyou

toallofourreaders.Wemay

begoingtrougtougtimes

inIrelandattemomentbutyourstoriesavek

eptourteam

smiling!Wevebeeninundated

witemailsandponecallsabouta

ll

tewonderfulworkgoingoninte

Traveller

community.Wereproudtosaret

esesuccesses

wityou.

Weavepackedtisissuewitnew

sfromall

aroundtecountry.Youllfindlotso

fpotos

andinterestingfeaturesaswellasyo

urfavourite

regulars.Beanzpondersonloveand

life,Ellentakes

abrustoabarrel-topandourbigdebateWos

teBossinteTravellerFamily?will

certainlyget

youlauging!

FinbarFureytooktimeoutofise

cticscedule

tospeaktoourjournalistDavidLync

aboutis

Travellereritageandmusicaltalent

s.Flicktopage

18toreadmore.

Moneymattersarentmakinglifeea

syformany

peopleattemoment.Itsimportan

ttatwestay

optimisticandIknowtestoriesofs

uccessintis

issuewillinspireyouandliftyours

pirits!

WeremissingourstarreporterJulie

anneforafew

weeks.GetwellsoonJulieannebeca

usewewant

youback!

Itsyourinputtatbringstemagaz

inetolifeso

keepintouc,werealwaysdeligte

dtoearfrom

you.

Welcometoourmagazine!

VoiceoftheTravelleris

fundedandsupportedby

tefollowing:

2

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20

FEATURES12Horses for courses: Focus on farriery14The Big Debate: Whos the boss?16Back in Business: New DVD Launched18Finbar Furey: The Beat Goes On22Francesco Alesi - Capturing Traveller

Culture

REGULARS4Photo of the Month5Beanz on Cupid & Piebalds6News Round-Up10Memory Lane24Ellen15MABS Advice28Dear Annie30Letters32Wedding Profile34Out and About

9

tiffanymonganisallsmilesfortecamonoursocialdiarypages...flicktotebackseeifyouknowanyofourreaders!

MembersofEnnisTravellerhomeworkclubareamongournewsroundup.

32

gerryryanspeaks

outincondemnation

ofFrancisBarretts

refusalfromaGalwestablisment.

Inthisissue

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Photoo

fthemonth

WinaTopoftheRangeCanon400DDigitalCameraeveryp

hotosenttoVoiceof

theTravellerwillbeenteredin

toadrawforthissupercamera!

Emailyourphotostovoiceofthetraveller@natc.ieorposttoVoiceoftheTra

veller,NATC,Unit1,

M

kl

dRtilP

kAthl

C

R

Thismo

nthsphoto:

AfamilyfromDublinonpilgrimageto

KnockSh

rineforourLadysDay.

15.08.08.KnockShrine,CoMayo.

Photoc

ourtesyofFrancescoAlesi

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floWers, kissiNg, cuddliNg a bottle o

wine, an open re and saying I love you

on a card - and no Im not on about a re-

run o that Casablanca rubbish. Its worse

than that- its Valentines Day.

Now Im not sure about the origins o

this romantic, insanity uelled day.

Apparently it was some weird priest who

married couples in a orest somewhere. I

mean i he was anyway a decent priest he

would have married them under a roo.

But once a year we see the same old

hallmarks o love or lust really. Its the one

day o the year all the singletons on my

estate wait at the door or the postman,

way beore the dog even gets a chanceto chase him o. And its the only time

o the year you see all the disappointed

women chase the postman instead o the

dog, even the married ones eel jilted.

Ive my own theories on love, and its

not something I read in a Karma Sutra

supplement I got at school. Love is blind

they say, thats true enough. You should

see the state o the lad my cousin married,

he looked like Golem out oLord o the

Rings. I burst out laughing when they

were on the altar, he actually did hesitatebeore he put the ring on her nger.

Now o course this is only my opinion,

but Im just saying that i I saw a little

creep coming shooting arrows at me Id be

the rst to give him a round house kick.

Im not ready or this love malarkey. Could

ya imagine a Traveller Cupid riding in on

a piebald pony to some poor unsuspecting

Traveller camp shooting arrows around

like nobodys

business? He

would be beat up

in minutes and his

pony would have

a new owner, theeejit. Anyway we

dont need some

Rambo going

around putting

our match makers

out o work.

Now Ive been told

in the past by some people that I was a

good enough looking lad-emphasis there

on the good enough part. But I never

once got a Valentines card, not that I wantone but these people commenting on my

looks were either out o their minds or

good liars. Id rather know the painul

truth than have a belie in a blissul lie is

a motto I made or mysel. I think Ill have

it on my headstone.

But saying that I have to say there is

something attractive about watching a

young couple tie balls and chains to the

ankles, something kinda etching abou

being owned by someone, I mustnt be

the only one o that philosophy becausepeople still do that.

I blame Valentine s Day or many

things, one being diabetes, with all that

chocolate. And God help you i ya had h

ever, you have convulsions with all the

cheap fowers rom the garage down the

road. And i a Traveller girl gets a card

thats more or less a wedding proposal.

Any other day o the year a simple hour

away in a young ellas van is counted a

running away and that is usually enou

or a marriage proposal.

The only card Ill get in the post this

month is a tax renewal orm or the la-

ork*, how romantic the government are

Tinkers and bu

Blacks and whites and gre

All who are in l

Happy Valentines Da

*Laork is cant or car

MartinBeanz

onlove

andpiebalds

Love is blind they say,thats true enough.You should see the

state of the fella my

cousin married

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Memory LaneTwins john and christy mcdonaghpictured in Mancester.

martinmcdonagh,paddysold

ier

mcdonaghandmic

haelmcdonagh

brigie and mary mcdonagfrom Moill, Co Leitrim wit two count

girl classmates. on teir First holy

Communion day.

bridgieandhelencooneyDundalk,1970s

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johnny and ann mcdonagh,Ballymote, Co. Sligo(Bumbees Parents)

Do you recognise anyone in these photos? Wed love to hear more

about the people featured. If you have old pics send them into us a

voiceofthetraveller@natc.ie and theyll appear on these pages!

PototakeninMancester,intemiddle,johnmcdonagh,farleftcuggiejoyce,oterunknown.martincawley,Ballyconnell,withsome

delghtedpassengers,1982.

BackFarleft,jimmymcdonagh,ladywitsawl,maryharper,incardigan,sallynevinneeMcDonag.Beinderwittie,johnmcdonagh,nexttoiminceck,

paddynevin,nexttoim,michaelmcdonagh,farrigt,paddysoldiermcdonagh,infrontinfurcoat,janenevinneeMcDonag,oldladyinfront,maggiequinn,youngboymartinmcdonagh,oldermanatfrontoldmikeyquinn.Ladyindressinmiddlerow,joycemcdonaghspeggy.Younggirlinligtbluedress,kathleennevin,Sallysdaugter.

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however despite tat Antony lovesis job. It all started for im wen

e was just 14 in Castlecomer, Co.Kilkenny. his fater Jon soed isown orses, as did is grandfater-but tey were not trained Farriers.

I rode orses wen I was youngand I got sick of aving to travel along distance to get te orse soed.I just decided tis is someting Iwould like to do myself, and do itproperly. Antony was trained byJon Comerford and qualified and

as never looked back since. he spenttime in England, got married andstarted a family. But in recent yearste 36 year old as been kept busy inMullingar.

Tere is a steady flow of work.I ave my regulars of course.Sometimes tere is just too mucwork wic I know is a goodcomplaint. I work wit many of te

Travellers in te area, but I also avemany settled customers. I work witany type of orse, from sow jumpersto donkeys.

Over te winter monts you get alot of work because of te unts, butin te next couple of monts it willbe back into sow-jumping. Wit teTravellers you ave a lot of te bigpiebalds and trotters. Wat aboutte dreaded recession? Well I seea little fall back in work, but not toomuc yet.

I am mobile, I work from a jeepmainly in a radius of about 50 milesaround Mullingar and I ave myregulars to keep me going.

his nine year old son is alreadysaying e wants to follow in isfaters footsteps. And despitete difficult parts, Antony wouldencourage im to get involved. Its agood job , no doubt about tat.

Want to forgeahead as afarrier?

IF YOU ARE interested in a career asa farrier the Irish School of Farrieryruns a four year course in the CurragCo.Kildare.

The facility was officially opened inApril 2004 and the school also allowexisting farriers keep up to date witnew developments through shortcourses and seminars.

Students receive instruction in thetheoretical aspects of farriery as welas the practical skills they require to

practice this craft.The farriery apprenticeship scheme

is administered jointly by FAS and thIrish Master Farriers Association.

When not at the school, theapprentice will continue to workfor his/her Master Farrier, gainingexperience, and receiving tuition.

Thefundamentalsof farriery

A farrier is a specialist in horse hoocare, including the trimming andbalancing of a horses hoof and theplacing of shoes to the horses foot.

The farriers skills have historically

been linked to a blacksmiths skillshowever now they are regarded asseparate crafts.

A farriers routine work is primarilhoof trimming and shoeing.

Weblinks :www.irishfarrieryauthority.comwww.racingacademy.iewww.fas.ie

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When it comes to having the nal say in domestic aairs, who holds the trump card in thehousehold. Martin Joe Joyce, a community worker in Navan Travellers Workshop and amarried man with our children and Teresa B. Ward, a single, youthworker employed byNATC debate the issue or Voice o the Traveller.

yes:themanishe

bossofhehousehold

Ocourseamanisthebossortheheadotheamilyand

it isimportantthatthisisrespected. Ibelievethataman

has tobethebossothe amily becauseitis important

tohavea fgureheadtolookuptoandmakedecisions.

ForgenerationswithintheTravellerCommunity thishas

happenedand Ibelievethisshouldcontinue.

Forinstancewhenchildrenaremessingathomethey

wontevenstoporthewomennomatterwhatwayshe

shoutsor bawlsbutallthemanhastosayisonewordand

whentheyknowheisserioustheywillstop.Surewomen

wouldbelostwithoutmen.

Theycantevenmakemostmajordecisionswithout

menand theonly reasonthatmenletwomenmakesome

decisionsisthatwhensomethinggoeswrongtheyhave

someoneto blame. Ibelievemensupportwomendriving

onlyso they wontbenaggingtheirmantobringthem

everywhere.

Ibelieveitsuptothemantolookatertheout

side

othehouseand it isupto thewomen tolookater

theinsideothe houseandamily.That isherrole.

Forinstanceiachildhastogotothedoctorsoran

appointment its uptohertobringthechild. Ido not

agreewithmenbringingsmallchildrentothedoctors

ontheirownandIdonotagreewiththempushing

children inbuggiesorchanging nappies.Ibelievethis

letsdown themachoimageoaman,especiallyinthe

TravellerCommunity.

Ieelitisimportantormentohavesomequality

timeontheirownand thereore shouldgoouttothe

pub andhave aewpints.Ateralltheydeserveitwhen

they areoutworkinghardallweek.Thethingthat

irritatesmeaboutwomeniswhenthey go shopping,

theyspend thewholeday lookingaroundtheshops

andthenend upgoingbacktothefrst shoptheywere

in tobuy something!Ontheotherhandamanwill

go intoashop pickupwhat hewants,buyitandhes

fnished!

Ibelievea homeworksinpartnershipandthisis

importanttomake therightdecisionsortheamily

butwhydowomenkeepnaggingand nagging?Mosto

thetimestheyrelikealongplayingrecord!Iwill fnis

withonequote romanoldTraveller manAmanwill

letawomanbeboss until hewantstobeboss.

MartinJoe Joyce

Ofcourseamanistheboss

ortheheadofthefamilyand

itisimportantthatthisis

respected

The Big Debate:Whos the Boss?

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No:thewomanishebossofhehousehold

Iam asinglegirlwhohappens tobetheyoungestotwelve.Growing upin suchabig amilythemenwouldhave

alwaysbeen theboss.Overtheyearsthat traditionhaschangedorsomepeopleandIhappen tobeoneothosepeople.Ourtraditions andvaluesarestill inplaceandweverymuchrespectthem.But timesare changingwithmoreTravellerwomen continuing tostayonin trainingcourses tourthertheireducation.

Somewomenareveryindependent andsecurejobsorthemselves invariousplaces. Notsolongagowomenwouldbestayingat homeand themengoingtoworkbutthishasreversed.Ithinkwomenhavethe f

nalsaywhenitcomesto theirchildrenstayingonatschool.

Yearsagowomenwouldhavehadtogetmarriedreallyyoung but thishaschanged aswomennowhavemoresayinwhomandwhentheymarry.

I havereceivedadiplomarom collegeandhavedonemuch trainingandgot thesupportIneededrommyamily.Thismightnotbethe case orsomepeople.

Ithinkit shouldbeequalbetweenmenandwomen. Ithinkbehindeverymanisagoodw

omanwhoinmyopinionisthelinkthat holdseverythingtogether.

A lotowomen havethefnal saywhenitcomestotheemalemembers otheiramilies.Uswomencanbeverybossywhenwewanttobe,

butthatgoeswithoutsaying- whatwoman isnt?ButIstillsaythatthewomanistheboss!

TeresaBWard

Overtheyearsthetradition

ofmenbeingthebosshaschangedforsomepeople,includingme

moNey adVice & budgetiNg serVice (mabs)

The costof losing aloved one

at NatioNal traVeller mabs we try and makethings better. One o the ways that we can do this making sure that any policies that are brought in byGovernment to make changes, are based on acts.

It is known that unerals are an expensive business

everyone and there is already a number o supportsavailable or people at this di cult time. For Travwe know that this is a di cult time, both emotional nancially. We will be doing research in 2009 to samilies cope with the pressure o uneral costs.

We hope that Travellers are comortable talking to oresearcher about uneral costs, and all o the inormgiven will be compiled in a report with recommendaon ways to address these pressures on amilies

This is an opportunity or Travellers to talk about the nancial pressure on them to give their loved ones tpossible send o while imposing on them the nanhardship and stress etc.

The more Travellers talk to our researcher, the morebe able to establish a clear picture o this issue.

I you would like to support or participate in this resplease contact Nancy Power at National Traveller M01-864 8510.

Any inormation given will be dealt with in the striccon dence.

Interestedin gettinginvolvedin thisdebate?Whynotsendanemailto voiceofthetraveller@natc.ieorpostaletterto theEditor.

>>www.mabs.ie

Weblinks

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xxxxxxx. David Lynch xxxxx

storiesofsuccessprole

bnbn:

Travellers work in every part of the economy and are establishing their ownbusinesses in increasing numbers. A new DVD produced by the NationalAssociation of Travellers Centres (NATC) entitled Voice of the Traveller inthe Irish Workplacecelebrates the business achievements and the potentialwithin the community. David Lynch spoke to some of the stars of the DVD tofind out more.

AT ThE start of opening te business, Itougt tat wit me being a Traveller itwould not succeed, but now I dont tinktat way at all.So says Bridget Kelly woowns Fantastic Fireplaces in Lougreawit er usband James.

Now I just concentrate on sellingte fireplaces. People do not come into judge me, tey come in to buy teproduct.I still feel I am a good moterand wife to my usband (James) and stillbe a good worker in te business. Youcan still do it all.

Bridget is just one of a number of Trav-ellers from across te island wo areprofiled in te Voice of te Traveller inte Iris Workplace DVD,

Tis educational resource as beenproduced by te National Association ofTravellers Centres (NATC) and was com-missioned by Pobal and funded by teDepartment of Justice.

Te idea for tis project came after tesuccessful poster campaign Tinker TailorSolider Sailor, launced by NATC in2008.

Te poster portrayed individual Travellersfrom around te country wo ad takente step into mainstream employmentand self employment. I always wantedmy own business, I always wanted topaddle my own boat, says Jon Mongan.Jon runs JB Cleaning Service and JBElectrical Wall Casing in Galway.

I came troug te business wit ardwork and graft. I ave tree passionsin life, te first passion is my wife andfamily, te second is work and te tirdwould be boxing.

Altoug very muc te business man-Jon is also a qualified boxing refereewose dream is to referee at te Olym-pics.

Jon Stokes from Longfords Waste Re-moval and Weelie Cleaning Bins Ltd isalso profiled in te DVD.

A lot of people are afraid to start a busness, tat tey could lose te dole- butonce you start a good business and getup and running tere is no boter teresays Jon. You get great elp if you are

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on a back to work sceme.Oter peopleworking in secretarial, furniture refur-bisment and local autority posts arealso featured.

If te conversation comes up about be-ing a Traveller Id say I am a Traveller, butI would not walk straigt into a job and

say it, says Mary Mattews wo workswit te Rigt Start prescool in Dun-dalk. I would not ide my identity, I amproud of my identity. If you feel youredifferent you stand out like a sore tumb.Because you sould always rememberyou are just as good as anyone else. Oroften you can be better tan anyoneelse.

AResourceforChangeTheV

oiceofthe

TravellerintheIrishWorkplac

eDVDisavailable

fromNATCandwillbetargete

datbusinesses,

employersandTravellers.The

purposeofthis

educationalresourceistohig

hlightthepoten-

tialforemploymentwithinth

ecommunityand

provideavarietyofexercises

whichwill

facilitateTravellerstoexplore

theirtalents

andabilities

ForfurtherinformationoracopyoftheDVDco

ntact

NATC,Unit1MonkslandBusin

essPark,Athlone

Co.Roscommon,

Tel:0906498016

Email:info@natc.ie

www.natc.ie

Bridget Kelly from Fantastic Fireplaces,Loughrea also took part.

John Mongan of JB Cleaning Service,Galway who was profiled in the DVD

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afterdecadesasaNacclaimed

musiciaN,

fiNbarfureyisstillaskedhoW

heWrites

somaNysoNgs.

Ijustwriteitdownandplay,hesa

yssimply.

Idontthinktoomuchaboutit,it

comes

naturally.PaddyKennanalsoasked

merecently

howIwrotesomanysongs.AndIju

stsaidto

him-itjustcomes.

IhavebeenwritingpoetrysinceIw

asavery

smalllad,soithasbeenwithmeoralong

time.

FinbarFureyhasbeenpartotheIris

hand

internationalolkmusicsceneorm

orethan40

years.

In1972,FinbarandhisbrotherEdd

ierecorded

oneotheamousPeelSessionson

theiconic

JohnPeelBBCradioshow.Thesoun

dthey

wereproducingwasthatthingmost

wanted

bycritics-itwasnewandchallengi

ng.Uillean

pipeswerecombinedwithguitaran

dvoice,to

producethereshsound.

Hehadalreadycomealongwayro

mwriting

asayoungboy.Thoseearlyyearsw

erespentin

Ballyermot(likeuilleanpiperPadd

yKennan)in

the1950sand60s.

Wehadourinsandouts,ourbattl

es,but

therewerealsogreatpeoplethere.Itwasnot

easy,wehadtoghtoreverything,

andwe

lockedhornsalongtheway.

Despitethis,Finbarlooksbackath

isyearsin

Ballyermotwithondnessandote

nreturnsto

theareatoperorm.

WithashorttouroftheUnitedSta

tesnextmonthandabiggigin

VicarStreetinlateMarch,FinbarFu

reyhashitthenewyearrunning.

Thesinger/songwriter,uilleanpipe

r,actor,tinwhistleandbanjo

playercontinuestoattractnewaud

iencesandrecentconvertsto

hisfolkandtraditionalmusic.Aft

ermanyyearsatthetopofthe

musicbusiness,FinbartalkstoDav

idLynchaboutcreatingmusic,his

childhoodandCha

rlieChaplin.

Thebeatgoeso

n

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Wehavelived

throughrecession

before.People

canpulltogether

andmusicispart

ofthat.Thatis

whathappened

inthe1960swith

musicanditcanhappenagain.

Music was a part o amily and lie rom a very young age-

both his parents were musical. By the late 50s and early 60s

Finbar was perorming with his ather and brother Eddie

at inormal sessions in the amous ODonghues bar and

elsewhere. The new olk and traditional music movement

was beginning in Dublin at this time. Finbars ability as a top

class uillean piper were clear soon enough, as he picked up

All-Ireland awards.

Finbar and Eddie went on the road and started to tour. This

was the time o a great international revival o olk music and

they dived into it.Later The Furey Brothers and Davey Arthur where to have

domestic and worldwide success and released a string o

successul albums.

We had our music and we took it to the rest o the world,

says Finbar.

In the early 1990s he let the band to pursue a solo career.

Since then he has won much praise or his varied recordings

and extensive live shows.

The Big Screen

In recent years te silver screenas played a role in Finbar Fureycareer. his infectious New YorkGirls was part of te soundtrackfor te Martin Scorseses 2002blockbuster movie Gangs ofNew York.

he also stared alongside VinnieJones and Patrick Bergin in te2007 Mark Maon directedStrengt and honour. Finbar playsCosky Boss in te boxing film tatwas sot mainly in Cork.

Fromstage

toscreen

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Sitting at the start o 2009, he still gets excited about

perorming live and the looming economic troubles dont worry

him too much.

In a bad economic time, like a recession it is when music is

most important, he says.

We have lived through that beore. People can pull together

and music is part o that. That is what happened in the 1960s

with music and it can happen again.

his most receNt album No fareWells, No goodbyes

boasts a selectioN of old aNd NeW soNgs- iNcludiNg a

VersioN of charlie chaPliNs smile.

I remember being in a cinema when I was young and Charlie

Chaplin always made me laugh and smile. I suppose we couldrelate somewhat to his character, we knew what it was like

being poor.

Finbars set-lists and musical infuences are still varied with

some Dylan, old Traveller songs, Ewan MacCall, some o the

old Furey hits and also newer work.

Although conscious and proud o the role music has played

in Traveller culture over the generations, Finbar does not like

labels. I think it is important to remember you are Irish rst,

he says.

I dont think we should be putting up barriers between

people, or waving fags. I am proud o my ather and mother,

my ancestors and the culture, but we should remember that we

are all Irish.

He says he preers to talk about what unites all Irish people

and culture, rather than segregating it.

When we are abroad, we are all paddies then.

From his parents he was told that education was most crucial

to making something o your lie.

Lie has taught him that the most important thing is

education. That is the step that everyone has to make.

Lie can be hard, and we had it hard. I was told that you

had to ght ignorance. And the rst step to ghting that is

education- that is the most important step.

Finbars upcoming Irish gigs

feb 21st St Annes GAA Club, Bohernabreena, Dublin

march 26th Vicar Street Dublin with the Band

Check www.ticketmaster.ie or tickets.

from the traditioNal to the moderN, the Nomad

ProJect iN the uNiVersity of limerick (ul) is

PromotiNg aNd deVeloPiNg a Wide Variety of

music With the traVeller commuNity, Writes

DaViD lynch.

Uilleann pipes, ddles, futes and modern rapping- have all

played a role in the project. Finbar Furey himsel perormed

last year as part o the project.

Music has always been central to Traveller culture and the

Nomad project in the UL has tapped into that.

The project has been up and running since 2001, Julie

Tiernan rom Nomad told Voice o the Traveller.The original idea behind Nomad was to preserve and

promote Traveller music. Niall Keegan and his wie Sandra

Joyce are the directors and ounders o the project.

Niall and Sandra are traditional musicians and recognise

the deep infuence that the Traveller community have had

on the oral transmission o Irish music tradition o this

country.

The project provides music certicates, seminars and

classes or Travellers

interested in music.

Those involved have

ranged rom thewell established,

like the amous

Pecker Dunne to

the budding young

rapper Edward

Maughan.

He was a brilliant rapper, said Julia.

He went away with the acilitator who was on site that

morning and wrote a rap, came back and perormed it. He is

rom Dublin. This project was done beore my time, but Id

love to get in touch with him again.

The reaction rom the Traveller community has always

been more then positive. Nomad prides itsel on be

innovative and diverse going to community training centres

and Senior Traveller Training Centres throughout the

country to run community music projects, said Julie.

For those interested in fnding out more you can log onto to

the website below or email irishworldacademy@ul.ie or write to

Irish World Academy o Music and Dance, University o Limerick.>>www.finbarfurey.com

Weblinks

Hittingthe

RightNotes

inLimerick

>> www.ul.ie/~iwmc/nomad/index.htmlWeblinks

The original idea

behind Nomad was to

preserve and promote

Traveller music.

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LifeThroughaLens

italiaN PhotoJourNalist

Francesco Alesi knew nothing about

Travellers beore 2006. In Italy

very ew people know about Irish

Travellers., Francesco (33) told

Voice o the Traveller.I still have not

met anyone that knew about them.

However this was all to change.

Following his completion o a MA inPhotography in Rome, he moved to

Ireland in late 2006.

Then his interest in Travellers began.

He started to read books about

Travellers and ask questions.

I dont like when people stereotype

too much, he said. Im Italian

but I dont drink coee, I dont like

Ferrari, Pavarotti and ashion and

Im terrible at cooking.There are millions like me in Italy

but when you think o Italians youve

got a dierent picture in your mind.

When I was living in Ireland and

questioned settled people about the

Traveller community, I heard too

many people answering in the same

stereotypical way.

When I asked What do you think

o the Traveller community? I heard

just two kinds o answers. A bad

one: they are violent, antisocial,

dirty, ignorant, unreliable,

opportunist. Or I heard a good or

romantic one: they have an old

culture, they tinsmith, they are

discriminated against, poor, have no

rights, nobody cares or them.

They are two opposite stereotypes

about Irish Travellers.

Ater arriving in Ireland Francesco

started a number o dierent

projects- including one on Travellers.

This last work was called God

bless ya, which ocused on aith

within the community. His pictures

appeared in the Irish Times and

elsewhere.

The British Journal o Photography

cited this work as one o the

best bodies o work rom MA

photography graduates in 2008.

I wanted to depict Travellers aith

and I tried to show them rom a

dierent angle, he said.

I wanted to avoid both victimisation

and nave romanticism.

I wanted to show that Irish

Travellers are a varied community

that shares lots with others.

When I showed those photographs

in an exhibition near Rome, some

elderly people told me that those

photographs reminded them otheir youth. Francesco is also one

the ounder members o the ANRA

photography collective.

I dont eel mysel as

a photographer, I am a

photojournalist, he says.

I dont eel like an artist, what I do

is tell stories that I like and may be

visually appealing.

My work is to provide photographsthat have meaning and tell

something that written words

can or cant do but in a dierent

way.

I think inside the Traveller

community there are many stories

that may be visually interesting.

In my view whatever story helps

to raise an issue that should be

aced or helps to gain a broader

knowledge about this community,

is an interesting opportunity or a

photojournalist.

I dont like whenpeople stereotypetoo much...ImItalian but I dontdrink coffee and Imterrible at cooking!

22

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TheworkofItalianphotojournalistFra

ncescoAlesiprovidesanamazingvisu

alinsightintoTravellercultureand

faith.HisprojectGodblessyahaswo

npraisefromcriticsandwasrecentlyf

eaturedinanationalIrishnewspaper.

HereDavidLynchtalkstotheyoungp

hotojournalistabouthisworkinthec

ommunityandwhathelearnedfrom

theexperience.

>>www.anra.is/who/frankieWeblinks

PicturetakeninBallymote,Co.Slig

oofawomanvisitingher

youngniecesgravewhodiedfrom

anorexiaattheageof18.

Afathercarrieshis sickdaughtertothesummitofCroaghPatrickonReekSunday,afterfourhoursofclimbing.

Abestmangettingreadyforhisfri

endsweddingsteadies

hisnervesbeforeheadingtothech

urch,Coolock,Dublin.

Forthecomplete collection

ofphotographsvisitthewebsitelistedabove.

Picture ofFrancescocourtesyofLucaCostabile

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elleN Was delighted that her dad

was making a wagon. She thought that

he was the best Dad in the world and

even more now that he was building

them a new home. She decided she

would tell everyone about it! Ellen would

sit or hours watching him put each

piece o wood and nail together and how

he would bend them across to make the

barrell top wagon.

When the body o the wagon was

complete, then it was time to put

the under-cover on under the green

canvas. Ellens mother had bought

some gorgeous cotton material that had

beautiul printed f owers. It was very

colourul and Ellen would lay down in

bed and admire all the dierent colours

in the material.

Her ather was putting the nal

touches to the wagon and again Ellen

was amazed at how he did this. She

watched very careully as he lay down

a large sheet o new galvanise and with

his hand clips he cut o a long piece o

tin rom the sheet and cut out dierent

shapes o stencils to orm dierent kind

o patterns or the outside decoration

o the wagon. He held each stencil to

the side board o the wagon and got his

pencil and drew them rom the stencil

to the place where he wanted them.

Then he would paint them with lots

o dierent colours, red, blue, green,

yellow and any other colours he had,

making sure to match each colour to

each pattern.

One day when Ellen came home romschool she saw her ather was gone o to

buy some more galvanise. She was very

interested in the painting and since the

paints was let right in ront o her in a

box where she could easily see them she

thought that he would de nitely thank

her i she nished the job.

Ellen called out to her mother to ask

where everyone was gone. She was

delighted that there was no-one there

apart rom her mother, who was busy

making the dinner and baking.

Ellen changed out o her uniorm and

took to work. Out came all the paints,

brushes and stencils. She spent hours

looking at all the paints and trying to

decide on a pattern which was a bithard or Ellen since there were so many

colours she couldnt decide which one

was right and in the end she mixed them

all together.

Ellen soon got ed up painting and sh

took a break. It was a long break and al

the paints started to harden up. Then it

started to rain and Ellen orgot all abou

her painting. When her Dad got back, h

ate his dinner, then went outside. Ellenmother was explaining to him that only

her and Ellen was there all that day and

what they had been doing when all you

could hear was a roar o Ellen! Whe

is Ellen??!

Poor Ellen was a very good girl or the

rest o the evening and she never let th

bed.

Ellen changed out oher uniorm and tookto work. Out came all

the paints, brushes andstencils

EllenThe continuing tale o Ellen, the youngTraveller girl as she helps her ather paint theirnew barrell top wagon.

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Remembrances

In loving memory o my mother Mary

and my sister in law Nelly McDonagh

who died recently, rom Biddy

McDonagh

With ond remembrance o my dearcousin Lina Mongans (RIP) who is

never ar rom my thoughts, rom Biddy

McDonagh

In loving memory o my grandad

Mickey Kerrigan, may he rest in peace.

With love rom Maries/ Also included

in photo are Helen Keenan, Tina Ward

and his grand-daughter Lizanne .

In remembrance o my ather Christy

and my uncle Martin, may their souls

and the souls o all the aithul departe

rest in peace, amen.

In Rememberance o Sheila McDona

whose rst anniversary occurred on

11th January, 2009.

Nothing on earth can ever replace

the sound o your voice,

or the smile on your ace,

no verse, no f owers, no tears can say,

how much we miss you everyday.

Sent in by her sister,

Kathleen McDonagh,

St. Canices T.C. Portlaoise.

I youd like a remembrance printed to

your loved one then write or email us a

Voice o the Traveller today.

Miley Doran died last month (22nd

January). He lived in Carlow or the last

60 years and he was originally rom

New Ross County Wexord.

Miley was 86 years old his next

birthday, he was the last o an old breedo Travellers. When Miley died it was

the last o an era or all the Travellers in

County Wexord and County Carlow.

He was a kind hearted man, a good

honest man and a great amily man

who loved them dearly and they loved

him.

Miley was known as Big Daddy to

all his children, his grand children and

great grand children and every childthat came to know him.

He always said i you couldnt say

a good word about anyone dont say

anything at all. And he also said i you

cant do a good turn or anyone dont

do a bad one.

Miley was a very religious man and

believed in his prayer, he always said

the rosary and never missed mass

on a Sunday. The huge number o

people, Travellers and settled who

attended Mileys uneral would tell

you how respected he was among both

communities.

The whole o Carlow town was to a

standstill at his uneral.Miley Doran

was a legend, a true gentleman.

-Close member o amily.

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ariesIncreased physical courage and a strong s

o adventure combine to make this a very

interesting time.

taurusYou cant manage health issues i you can

acknowledge theres a problem. Turning a

eye to your bodys inner messages is part o

diculty.

GeminiA momentary boost to ego and condence

brie reminder o how good you can be wh

youre on target with the things you do an

believe in

cancerDont be goaded into orcing the situation

have your way. You may be lured into actio

will later regret.

leoYour powers o communication are very st

the moment. You will be able to express ex

what you want in a way that everyone will

VirGoYoull be restless and probably wont be ve

patient with any type o routine. Dont exp

get much cooperation and understanding

others.

libraLie direction, long-range goals, or career

come into ocus now. You gain clarity or a

stronger sense o purpose, which energizeeorts to get ahead or move toward what y

really want

scorpioNow is a time o culmination, where matte

come to a head. Old stagnant conditions

involving personal projects, a amily mem

a parent will be nalized

saGittariusTake the time to listen to others, because y

never know what gems o knowledge you

nd in the process. Trust your intuition wh

aced with an important decision

capricornConsolidate your nances as the stars are

creating the right sort o energy or you rig

aquariusYou want to investigate everything but do

have the time? Establish which area suits y

personality and temperament.

Dear Editor,

My name is Kent, Im a 24-year oldTraveller writing from America. My

wife and I are trying to do some familyresearch. We know that my wifes greatgreat grandmother came over fromEurope. She was an ONeil (or ONeal). Wewonder if this family name still is used andknown among the Travellers in Ireland? Itwould be nice to get in touch with ONeils,or even other Travellers, in Ireland!The magazine looks cool!Thank you!keNt

If you would like to get in touch withKent or can tell him something aboutthe ONeill family then email us atvoiceofthetraveller@natc.ie

Dear Editor,

I would like to take thisopportunity to say well doneto all learners and staff in St.

Josephs Training Centre in Ennis,for their hard work, dedication,

achievements and ability to meet all thechallenges they face. They are a creditto themselves, their families and theircommunities.As part of Adult Learners Week, wedecided to have some additional funthis week, as well as continuing to work.The entire centre has just returned frombowling and good fun was had by all.Some were more successful than others, I

count myself in the very limited successbracket but I had great fun in trying!On Thursday 5th we are having ourannual awards presentation and onceagain I am very proud to know and beassociated with our learners. Throughoutthe year they have risen to variouschallenges and on Thursday manylearners are receiving various awards fortheir academic achievements. Awards

will be given at Fetac Level 3, 4 and 5 andat Leaving Certificate Applied Level. OneLearner also achieved her Diploma inBeauty Therapy.

They are a great bunch and it is an honourto be able to say well done on all yourachievements, keep up the good workand to paraphrase Norman Peale Aslong as enthusiasm holds out, so will newopportunities.

Best WishesheleN osulliVaN

St. Josephs Training CentreGort Road, Business Park,Ennis

Dear Editor,

Its great to read about so many stories ofwomen being successful in the workplace.We understand the issues surroundinggoing out to work or getting back intoeducation when there is a young familyat home to care for. We provide anenvironment where the unique culture ofthe Traveller Community is expressed andcelebrated. Dont let childcare be a barrier

to lifes opportunities. If your familycant help out do a bit of research becausethere are plenty of options out there.Our childcare is affordable and accessibleto children aged between six monthsand five years. We work with Travellerchildren in Cork City and the surroundingareas towards achieving real change intheir lives and that of their families andto encourage a sense of belonging. Get intouch if we can help you.

yVoNNe hughes

Goras Community Creche, TravellerVisibility Group

Letters Horoscopes

etter

ofthe

month

SendyourletterstoVoceoftheTrav

eller,

NATC,Unit1,MonkslandRetailPark,

Athlone,Co. Roscommonoremailth

em to

voiceofthetraveller@natc.ie

8/8/2019 VOT_2009-02-01

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your valentines greetin

Ilovemyloveandmylove

lovesmebutesabuff

sowecanneverbe

MydadwouldkillmeifIdontmarry

a

Traveller.Buttetimesarecanging

sowesallsee

LoveEliza,CoDonegal

xxxxxxx

happyValentinestoJamesand

TomasOBrien,7hillviewDrive,

Abbeyfeale,Co.Limerick

FormyusbandAntonyharvey

Milford,CoDonegal.

Antonyweavebeentogetersinc

e

wewereonlyyoung.

TankGod;youvelearnedtoruna

mileforfearofmysarptongue.Ilov

e

youAntonyontisandeveryday

becauseyourealwayskindenougto

givememyownway,

LoveyourwifeJulia,StFiacrastrain

ing

centre,LetterkennyCongratulationsto

my

sisterJananeandJonPaul

ODonoguewogotmarriedlast

Saturday.TeyresideinLondon,lots

of

lovefromyoursisterRoseannexxxxx

x

happyValentinestomynieceJessica

Rose,

AbbeyfealeCo.Limerick

happyValentinestobabyMiceal

andbabyJimmyOBrienandusba

Patrick.lovelotsfromhelen,Abbey

feale

TomyboyfriendhugieGeogega

happyValentinesDay.Loveyou

always.Fromyourlovinggirlfriend

CelineMcDonag

To my wife Bernadette, happy Valentines Day. From your

usband Patrick and four kids Wayne, Becky, Sakira andTravis.

Tis is a valentine for my mum RIP, from Julia harveyMam we wouldnt for get you.because its valentines daywe only can bring you flowerscause your laying in te clay.you always love your flowers to brigten up your dayI would give you all te flowersand every kind bloom

To see your kind and loving face across a busy room

To my darling usband, love A xx

I swore tat we would never part,As I put my and upon my eart.had I been tinking wit my ead,Id probably ave fled instead.

Loveisintheair

28

8/8/2019 VOT_2009-02-01

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ITS NEVERtoo late to learn and education is or lie.

This month the third annual Adult Learners Festivalwas held. The estival aims to celebrate the achieve-ments o adult learners, the work o providers andensure adult education is placed rmly on the politicalagenda, writes David Lynch.Being an adult learner has helped me to uncover andrediscover mysel.says Karen who is studying or theDiploma in Youth and Community Work. But most oall when my children ask me where are you going to-day? I say to college. It has helped my con dence andgiven me a voice that I thought I never had, concludedKaren.

The diploma is run by University College Cork and isacilitated by the National Association o TravellersCentres in Athlone.

Her classmate Stella agrees. I enjoy coming to class. Ienjoy meeting more riends. I learn better in class lis-tening to the teacher. It motivates me a lot sitting downin the class as a student. Coming back to learning reallybuilds up my con dence that I could still study as anadult. I enjoy every bit o my stay in the classroom.

The Adult Learners Festival allowed groups and organi-

sations like NATC who are involvedin adult learning to celebrate theachievements o adult learners.

I enjoy the act that I am older and alittle wiser I realise the importance oeducation and learning new skills,says Sarah who is also part o theUCC class.The estival run by AONTAS wasbacked by all the major social part-ners including trade unions and busi-ness organisations.

To read more about what happenedduring the estival, the events thattook place, and to get some ideas onwhat your group could do next year,download a copy o the special Festivaledition o Explore Magazine. You canalso watch a short lm about the AdultLearners Festival at www.adultlearners-estival.com/

This all proves that it is never too late to get involved in

education and that learning is a lie long journey.I enjoy adult learning because it is something that Iwant to do and was not made to do it like I was when Iwas a child, says Martin Joe another adult learner.I eel this time around I have the choice to learn aboutsomething that I want to do and gain con dence andexperience which I can bring back to my role in mywork in the community.

Nevertoolatetolearn

>>www.adultlearnersfestival.com

Weblinks

I eel this time around I

have the choice to learnabout something that I wantto and gain conf dence and

experience which I canbring back to my work in the

community

.

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WeddingProfileThismonthsfeaturedweddi

ngisofVanessaandOliver

McDonaghwhowedinDublin.

thehappycouple

OliverandVanessaasnewlyweds

travellinginstyle

Thebeautifulwhitevintageweddin

gcarwhichtook

VanessaandherfatherPaddytoc

hurchearlierintheday

manandwifeOliverandVaness

aenjoytheluxuriouscarjourneya

fterleaving

thechurch

doingtheirduty

Thebridessisterslookingbeautiful

asbrides

30

8/8/2019 VOT_2009-02-01

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theweddingpartyPosingforthecameraaftertheceremony

welcometothefamilyMembersofOliversfamilywithVanessa

ThebrideandgroomwithhisparentsMartinandBiddyMcDonagh,Banagher

lookatthatbling!Thegirls admiringthenewring

8/8/2019 VOT_2009-02-01

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Out&About

imreadyformycloseup!Tiffan

yMonganisnotcamerashy.

glittergirlsonthego!

GlittergirlsyouthgroupfromNava

nonarecentouting.

ThismonthVoiceoftheTravellerisde

lightedtoprintaselectionofourr

eadersphotographs!

Ifyouhaveaphotographathome

thatyouwouldliketoseeinthem

agazinepleasesenditin

tousbypostoremail!

hardatworkPatrickReillyfrom

ReVampin

Longfordatworkrepairingacha

smile for the cameraHelen OBrien and her husband Patrick

32

8/8/2019 VOT_2009-02-01

33/36

allwrappedup

HelenOBrien,alearnerfromFeal

sideCentre,

AbbeyfealeCoLimericksentinthis

photoofher

nephewMichael,Imsureshesno

whisfavourite

aunty!

acutabovetherest

CarolineDoylefromStMelsTrainingCentreL

ongfordbeing

presentedwithherhonoursJuniorCertandhe

rLevel5FETAC

AwardinHairdressingTheoryandPractice.

MembersofSouthsideMensgroup

fromCorkparticipatinginthe

CorkCityMarathon.

cuteasabuttonTenmontholdBredaCawleyfromCastleblakney,Ballinasloe,sentinbyherparentsPatrickandCarmelandbrothersandsisters.

smile for the cameraGeraldine Stokes rom Athlone, having un at her cousin

Lucy Powers wedding recently.

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34/36

Out&About

allthefunofthefarmCorkTrav

ellerVisability

GroupCreceenjoyingadayoutto

alocalfarm

sporty girlsWinnie Marie Joyce, Olivia OLeary and

Leanne McDonag.thumbsupforo

urgroup

MembersofBallinasloeYoutGroupwi

tteirleaders

OliveSaugnessyandPatriciaCaw

ley.

34

8/8/2019 VOT_2009-02-01

35/36

anyone for cake?Members of St. Joseps Centre of Education

Ennis eld a recent bake sale wic was a uge

success! Well done to all involved!

giving a dig out!Syliva Sweeney receiving er cert from Joe

McDonag, CEO of Galway VEC in St. Benins

Centre, Tuam recently.

whostakingthehorsetofrance?TeDinneganfamilyfromMullingar,saddleupforapoto.

round of applause pleaseCristine Power, Sandra OLeary, Lena

McDonag, and Celene Power pictures receiving

a prize.

SMILE!

Membersof

Ballinasloe

YoutGroup

posebeside

abarrelltop

wagon.

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WiN350Say my name!

The National Association ofTravellers Centres (NATC)is changing its name to

more accurately reflectthe work it does as anorganisation. Theyneed your help! If youwant to find out moreabout the work NATCdo then visit their

website at

www.natc.ie

Groups or individuals canenter, simply email or post inyour entry to the address below.

If your suggestion is picked youll get350!

M Name