Activism
Dublin Core
Title
Activism
Description
The Travelling Community in Cork City has long been a resilient force advocating for the rights and recognition of Irish Travellers. Known for their rich cultural heritage, they have faced marginalisation and discrimination, yet continue to fight for equality and the preservation of their traditions.
Activism in Cork has included public demonstrations, workshops, and efforts to secure more culturally appropriate, permanent housing for Travellers. Activists have also played a key role in national discussions on Traveller rights, striving to combat racism, challenge discrimination, and ensure that Travellers' voices are heard and valued.
A key victory came in 2017 when the Irish government officially recognised Irish Travellers as an ethnic minority, a result of years of campaigning by groups such as the Cork Traveller Women's Network and the Traveller Visibility Group. These organisations have been crucial in pushing for better access to education, healthcare, housing, and employment, and have consistently called for the protection of Traveller rights as an indigenous group.
A significant setback for the Travelling Community was the Anti-Trespass Act of 2002, which criminalised occupying land without permission, severely limiting Travellers’ ability to continue their nomadic lifestyles. This law led to widespread protests, with groups like the Traveller Visibility Group advocating for its reform to protect Traveller cultural practices while ensuring secure accommodation.
Activism in Cork has included public demonstrations, workshops, and efforts to secure more culturally appropriate, permanent housing for Travellers. Activists have also played a key role in national discussions on Traveller rights, striving to combat racism, challenge discrimination, and ensure that Travellers' voices are heard and valued.
A key victory came in 2017 when the Irish government officially recognised Irish Travellers as an ethnic minority, a result of years of campaigning by groups such as the Cork Traveller Women's Network and the Traveller Visibility Group. These organisations have been crucial in pushing for better access to education, healthcare, housing, and employment, and have consistently called for the protection of Traveller rights as an indigenous group.
A significant setback for the Travelling Community was the Anti-Trespass Act of 2002, which criminalised occupying land without permission, severely limiting Travellers’ ability to continue their nomadic lifestyles. This law led to widespread protests, with groups like the Traveller Visibility Group advocating for its reform to protect Traveller cultural practices while ensuring secure accommodation.
Subject
Irish Travellers
Travellers (Nomadic people)
Travellers (Nomadic people)--Social conditions
Travellers (Nomadic people)--Ireland
Minorities--Ireland
Human rights--Ireland
Discrimination--Ireland
Ethnic minorities--Ireland
Social movements--Ireland
Political activism--Ireland
Travellers (Nomadic people)--Civil rights
Nomads--Ireland
Indigenous peoples--Ireland
Cultural heritage--Ireland
Anti-Trespass legislation--Ireland
Social justice movements--Ireland
Travellers (Nomadic people)
Travellers (Nomadic people)--Social conditions
Travellers (Nomadic people)--Ireland
Minorities--Ireland
Human rights--Ireland
Discrimination--Ireland
Ethnic minorities--Ireland
Social movements--Ireland
Political activism--Ireland
Travellers (Nomadic people)--Civil rights
Nomads--Ireland
Indigenous peoples--Ireland
Cultural heritage--Ireland
Anti-Trespass legislation--Ireland
Social justice movements--Ireland
Date
1990s - 2010s
Source
Traveller Visibility Group
Cork Traveller Women's Network
Rights
Cork Traveller Women's Network / Traveller Visibility Group
Type
Photographs
Format
jpeg
Creator
Cork Traveller Women's Network / Traveller Visibility Group
Language
eng
Coverage
Ireland; Munster; Cork; 20th Century; 21st Century;
Collection Items
Breda O'Donoghue speaking with Eddie Noonan
Black and white photograph of TVG's Breda O'Donoghue speaking with Eddie Noonan from Frameworks Films at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Breda O'Donoghue and John O'Sullivan speaking Journalist
A colour photograph of Breda O'Donoghue and John O'Sullivan speaking Journalist at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Breda O'Donoghue speaking to a crowd outside City Hall
Breda O'Donoghue speaking to a crowd at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Brigid Carmody at Housing Protest
A black and white photograph of Brigid Carmody with a loudspeaker at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Protesters outside Cork City Hall
A black and white photograph of a group of protesters with placards at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Protesters and Placards
A colour photograph of a group of protesters with placards at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Traveller Accommodation Protest Cork City Hall
Black and white photograph of protestors at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall. One holding an enlarged photograph of the conditions in Spring Lane
Travellers are Irish Citizens
A colour photograph of a mother with her young son holding a sign saying "Travellers are Irish Citizens"
Traveller Lives Matter
A black and white photograph of a woman holding two signs one saying "Travellers' rights are human rights" and the other "Traveller Lives Matter" at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Time for Change is Now
A colour photograph of a group of Travellers from North Cork holding a banner at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Woman with Loudspeaker
A colour photograph of a woman speaking into a loudspeaker at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall
Cork Traveller Women's Network at Traveller Accommodation Protest
A group of protestors with placards at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall.
Damp Mobile Homes
A colour photograph of protesters with placards at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall. One says "Damp Mobile Homes"
Fed up with Empty Promises
A colour photograph of a group of protesters with placards at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall. One placard says "Fed up with empty promises" another "Shame on Cork City Council"
Apple Google Please plan a Factory for Spring Lane
A man holding a sign saying "Apple Google Please plan a Factory for Spring Lane" at a Traveller accommodation protest outside Cork City Hall