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UCC raises flag for Cork Traveller Pride 2021

29 Sep 2021

As part of Cork Traveller Pride Week 2021, the Cork Traveller Pride flag was raised on UCC quad for the first time.

The EDI Unit in collaboration with the Traveller Equality and Justice Project (TEJP) in the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights invited members of the Cork Traveller COmmunity to UCC to raise the pride flag on campus as part of Cork Traveller Pride week.  They were joined by the President, Professor John O'Halloran, in celebrating this occasion.  Following this, the  sticker was launched in the Glucksman Gallery.

Traveller Pride Week celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Irish Traveller Community and their ongoing contribution to Irish society. Traveller Pride 2021 is being run in two parts with national events taking place from September 20th - 26th and local community events 27th September - October 2nd.

As part of Traveller Pride, UCC hosted two events on Wednesday 29th September to reaffirm its commitment to promoting and celebrating Traveller culture and promoting inclusion on campus.

These events were organised by the Traveller Equality and Justice Project (TEJP) in collaboration with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit at UCC. The TEJP is an innovative collaborative project between UCC School of Law and the Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC). Based within the Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights at the UCC School of Law, the TEJP aims to highlight ongoing levels of discrimination experienced by Travellers in Cork and improve access to justice.

About the Events

鈥楥ork Traveller Pride鈥� Flag Raising, Wednesday 29th September 12:30pm

President John O鈥橦alloran raised the 鈥楥ork Traveller Pride鈥� flag alongside Mags O鈥橲ullivan of Cork Traveller Women鈥檚 Network and Breda Donoghue of the Traveller Visibility Group. The 鈥楥ork Traveller Pride鈥� flag was created by artists Claire Coughlan and Helen O鈥橩eeffe with members of Traveller Visibility Group and Cork Traveller Women鈥檚 Network in 2018. Speaking at the event, Breda O鈥橠onoghue recognised UCC鈥檚 commitment to the Traveller Community in Cork, saying:

"Both the Traveller Visibility Group and Cork Traveller Women鈥檚 Network welcome this display of allyship and solidarity from UCC during Traveller Pride Week 2021.鈥�

President John O鈥橦alloran expressed support for the event, stating that:

 鈥淯CC is proud to be an ally of the Traveller Community in Cork. In raising the Cork Traveller Pride Flag above the Quad during Traveller Pride week, UCC demonstrates its commitment to supporting Travellers both in Cork and throughout the country.鈥�

Launch of 鈥楾raveller Ally & Proud鈥� campaign sticker by Francesca Hutchinson, Glucksman Wednesday 29th September 1pm.

The Traveller Ally & Proud campaign grew out of joint discussions between the TEJP and Traveller organisations in Cork. The campaign sticker is awarded to businesses, organisations and groups who are Traveller allies and have created welcoming spaces for Travellers and supported Traveller rights and culture. Those awarded the sticker will display it in their buildings to show their support for Travellers and to indicate that the business or organisation represents a welcoming 鈥榮afe space鈥� for members of the Traveller Community. The final reveal of the 2021 Traveller Ally & Proud Sticker took place at the Glucksman, 29th September at 1pm. Francesca鈥檚 beautiful piece is being displayed alongside 鈥榖eady pockets鈥� and the Cork Traveller Flag. Speaking to the importance of platforming Traveller artists,Fiona Kearney, Director of the Glucksman noted that:

 鈥淭he Glucksman is proud to support Traveller Pride through the display of an original artwork by Francesca Hutchinson in the gallery foyer from 29 September 鈥� 3 October 2021. Over the last five years, the Glucksman has provided dedicated art projects for the Traveller community with an emphasis on supporting creative expression that celebrates and explores Traveller culture in the context of contemporary art.鈥�

About the sticker design:

The TEJP issued a call for the 鈥楾raveller Ally & Proud鈥� sticker from Traveller creatives in the Summer of 2021. Francesca Hutchinson鈥檚 submission was the chosen design as it so beautifully represents the aim and heart of the campaign.

Francesca is an Offaly based multidisciplinary artist and member of the Traveller Community. She is currently studying in Limerick School of Art and Design and will be completing her final year this coming September. Her work continuously evolves through a complexity of mediums and materials; currently she is exploring textiles, embroidery, and industrial materials. She takes inspiration from her family鈥檚 heritage coming from the Traveller community, her artwork also deals with issues such as depicting an invisible illness and the cycle of life.

Her Traveller Ally & Proud painting is one of acceptance, courage and solidarity. It is inspired by the Traveller Community鈥檚 rich culture and particularly the craft of beady pockets. The painting features decorative chain stitches, feather stitches, French knot stitches, and a running stitch. They symbolise exciting times for the future, the remembrance of loved ones, and safety. On the painting, the feather stitch spreads through both hands, just as the solidarity and strength spreads for Travellers currently and forevermore. This piece symbolises the strength and solidarity Travellers have been and will be given through acceptance by these businesses and organisations.

Speaking about the importance of both events, Dr Fiona Donson, Director of the TEJP, explained that:

鈥淏y flying the flag UCC is showing that the university is a safe and welcoming place for Travellers. The event is a welcome reminder of the importance of allyship with Cork鈥檚 Traveller Community and the need for continued partnership with local groups which can translate into increased Traveller student representation on campus.鈥�

About our Traveller Community Organisation Partners

The Cork Traveller Women鈥檚 Network is a Traveller-led community development project which works for Traveller rights in Cork. Based in the Triskel the organisation has a range of focuses including increasing Traveller access to the arts and platforming Traveller voices through the arts.

The Traveller Visibility Group is a Traveller-led community development organisation which works to support Travellers in their day to day lives so they can participate in Irish society as equals. Their work in Cork is based on community development principles and practices.

For more on this story contact:

For more information contact: Dr Fiona Donson f.donson@ucc.ie / 021-490-3159