National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £3,000 to £10,000
Building understanding and mutual respect between cultures and communities in Armagh
The project ran eight cultural awareness workshops for 120 people from the wider Armagh community, introducing them to the rich heritage and culture of Roma and Irish Traveller communities. The workshops were co-delivered with members of the Roma and Irish Traveller communities and had very positive feedback.
Newcomer families were able to access workshops on Northern Ireland’s history and culture. This helped increase their confidence at settling into their new communities. Forty people interacted with members of the local community to learn about the deep-rooted history of Northern Ireland, dual nationality, customs and traditions, days of celebration, music and food.
It’s heartening to see the positive impact on newcomer families and the broader Armagh community as they embrace this vibrant tapestry of traditions and history.
Fidelma Fearon, Manager at Armagh Roma Traveller Support
Exploring Roma and Traveller heritage
An outdoor fair-style event in June 2023 was attended by more than 650 people. Through music, dancing, food and items from everyday life like a barrel-top wagon, the public gained insights into traditional Irish Traveller and Bulgarian Roma culture.
On St Brigid’s Day (3 February) and Baba Marta Day (2 March) the project held small celebration events for all ages with traditional crafts, food and music. These gave participants an opportunity to engage with and understand the customs of Irish Travellers and Bulgarian Roma communities.
Fidelma Fearon, Manager at Armagh Roma Traveller Support, said: “Our project, 'Roma and Irish Travellers: A Shared Story', has been a remarkable journey of cultural exchange and understanding.
"By bringing together diverse communities through workshops and celebration events, we’ve fostered mutual respect and appreciation for the rich heritage of Roma and Irish Traveller cultures. It’s heartening to see the positive impact on newcomer families and the broader Armagh community as they embrace this vibrant tapestry of traditions and history."