Now Ye're Talking - To a member of the Traveller Community

Dav

Hello again folks. We've got a second AMA this week. Following on from a thread in AH, our member TravellerGirl has agreed to join us for a bigger AMA.

It's not easy being a Traveller - people and society discriminate against you, it's a form of racism we simply don't acknowledge or want to address in Ireland. Anyone will tell you about all the horrible experiences they've had with the Traveller Community, this seems to be a matter of pride for some - I've been guilty of it myself.

But times are changing and one of the true joys of the internet is that we are now able to talk as equals without barriers and Irish people are realising that this simply isn't acceptable.

So, if you have any questions for a lady from the Traveller Community about her life is and her community, please fire away.

It should go without saying, but abuse and racist comments will get nuked with extreme prejudice and people's posting privileges removed. This forum is *MUCH* more strict than After Hours and I am *MUCH* more intolerant of abuse of someone who'd volunteer their time and energy to a thread like this than AH Mods ever will be

Is it true that Girls from your community generally have no interest in dating a settled person?

Gits_bone

Would you not like to live in a house?

TravellerGirl

Gits_bone wrote: »

Would you not like to live in a house?

I have lived in a house for the last 8 year on and off. I now live in a caravan beside a house.

TravellerGirl

TravellerGirl wrote: »

I can't speak for all of them but an awful don't. I in general don't. I am a married woman.

Good answer

black & white

We read that suicide is higher among the Travelling community that the rest of the population, are Travellers aware of organisations like Samaritans & Aware and if so are they willing to use them ?

R P McMurphy

Do you think this site is too lenient towards people that engage in inflaminatory comments towards members of the travelling community. It strikes me as odd some of the comments people can make without any sanction

whiskeyman

Do you have many non traveller friends?
Does the constant bad press about travellers depress you?
As a settled person who unfortunately has a negative view of the travelling community, what message would you like to give to people like me?

yellowlabrador

How can the state encourage better education opportunities for the traveller community? Would a dedicated education package that follows the child help?
How can we help a child achieve its potential?

Vito Andolini

I deal with travellers fairly often, and I've never had any trouble. Do you think there's an element of the media that likes to portray a stereotype of traveller or is there a sector/group that are to blame for it?

What did you think of the Nally case?

vicwatson

Are there many Gay and Lesbian travellers in the Irish Travellers Community? and do G/L travellers come across the same type of prejudice in the traveller community as settled people do in theirs?

Elly_Welly

I've always been confused by how, although a great deal of travellers are very dedicated Catholics and women in particular value saving themselves for marriage etc, women appear to dress quite revealingly. What is your opinion on this apparent contradiction?

discodiva92

If you have a house why do you live in a caravan

TravellerGirl

black & white wrote: »

We read that suicide is higher among the Travelling community that the rest of the population, are Travellers aware of organisations like Samaritans & Aware and if so are they willing to use them ?

Tragically I lost an uncle to suicide. I think that they are becoming more aware of these organisations and I hope that anyone in that situation uses it.

thelad95

Out of interest, why do you have no interest in marrying outside of the travelling community?

TravellerGirl

discodiva92 wrote: »

If you have a house why do you live in a caravan

No its my in laws house I live in a caravan beside it.

TravellerGirl

thelad95 wrote: »

Out of interest, why do you have no interest in marrying outside of the travelling community?

Because a settled man could leave you at anytime and no other man in the traveller community would look at you.

TravellerGirl

Elly_Welly wrote: »

I've always been confused by how, although a great deal of travellers are very dedicated Catholics and women in particular value saving themselves for marriage etc, women appear to dress quite revealingly. What is your opinion on this apparent contradiction?

Travellers are very religious people, they are nothing without their faith. But the only way girls can express theirselvesis by wwearing these clothes. I don't like too much skin on show myself.

MagicMarker

What is your view on how women are treated within the travelling community? Do you see it as oppressive? And if so how would you raise any daughter of yours differently?

TravellerGirl

Mr Whale wrote: »

That seems highly prejudiced thinking tbh

Its just the way it is

sasta le

What is traveller status and how you do get it?

eviltwin

Is there any aspects of settled life you wish the travelling community would adopt? What aspects of settled life do you dislike?

TravellerGirl

sasta le wrote: »

What is traveller status and how you do get it?

You dont get it. Its just who you are. IItsgoing back generations through families

TravellerGirl

Mr Whale wrote: »

Do Travellers openly accept other lesbian and gay Travellers and treat them as equals?

They are becoming more acceptable and I hope that they do get treated equally.

To Elland Back

In GENERAL, how do travellers get their income?

sasta le

Could I become a traveller?

TravellerGirl

whiskeyman wrote: »

Do you have many non traveller friends?
Does the constant bad press about travellers depress you?
As a settled person who unfortunately has a negative view of the travelling community, what message would you like to give to people like me?

I dont have that many but I will talk to settled people when I ssee them. No it doesnt I just let people say whatever.

I would just like to say please don't judge us all the same. Their is bad ones and unfortunately because of them us good ones are not given a chance. So take the time out and maybe engage with one.

In your mind, is there anything that can bring the Travelling community away from violence as a means of dispute resolution? In my mind this is the primary way the settled community come into contact with the Travelling community, through these battles that take place at significant times such at funerals, and at weddings. We don't hear from/about travellers apart from when that happens. Traveller Academy could be on every week year in, year out (I have to commend it, a brilliant show long overdue), but if you're seeing with your own eyes & hearing from close friends who are eyewitnesses to these battles in your community, a TV show isn't going to change your mind.

TravellerGirl

Vito Andolini wrote: »

I deal with travellers fairly often, and I've never had any trouble. Do you think there's an element of the media that likes to portray a stereotype of traveller or is there a sector/group that are to blame for it?

What did you think of the Nally case?

What is the nallycase

MrWalsh

Would a settled girl be accepted if she married a traveller man?

TravellerGirl

[Deleted User] wrote: »

In your mind, is there anything that can bring the Travelling community away from violence as a means of dispute resolution? In my mind this is the primary way the settled community come into contact with the Travelling community, through these battles that take place at significant times such at funerals, and at weddings.

Now I don't condone that behaviour. Have you ever been in that situation because I can tell you its very scary. Iwish for.people to deal with it in a different way. Violence is not the answer

vicwatson

TravellerGirl wrote: »

What is the nallycase

I assume the poster is talking about this case

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_John_Ward

nibtrix

What age did you get married at? Do you think travellers in general marry too young?

Your writing is very clear and coherent, do you mind me asking what level of education did you receive (up to junior cert, leaving cert etc.)? In your opinion is it difficult for travellers to stay in school past a certain level or age?

TravellerGirl

MrWalsh wrote: »

Would a settled girl be accepted if she married a traveller man?

Yes she would be. My uncle is married to a settled girl.

vicwatson

Whats your opinion on marrying pre 18 years of age?

unjedilike

I remember years ago often seeing travellers being kicked out of shops before they got two feet inside purely because they were travellers. Does this still occur?

MrWalsh

TravellerGirl wrote: »

Yes she would be. My uncle is married to a settled girl.

So would she now consider herself a traveller or would he consider himself settled or would they both just see themselves as settled + traveller - and will their children be seen as settled or traveller - sorry sounds confusing!

somesoldiers

I really enjoyed the recent Norah Casey series where she gave traveller girls with talents a chance to work on their talents where they might not ordinarily have gotten to. Just ordinary girls that happened to grow up in different communities as far as I could see. The artist girl was amazing.

Do you have any particular talents that you feel your background as a traveller has prevented you from pursuing?

Axel Lamp

What is your opinion on shows such as 'Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' and 'Norah's Traveller Academy'.

Why do some Travellers intentionally move onto vacant sites and not move until monies are paid by the landowners?

Why do some Travellers feel that the state welfare system is to be abused, yet contribute nothing to society?

Why are events such as funerals/weddings/christenings such a flashpoint for violence?

Do you feel that the negative opinion settled people have of ye is anyway warranted?

mchubes

What was your experience of school like? Do many travellers live in the same place long enough to get an education? If so do many have settled friends? And if people are moving around alot what would be the most common sources of income?

TravellerGirl

MagicMarker wrote: »

What is your view on how women are treated within the travelling community? Do you see it as oppressive? And if so how would you raise any daughter of yours differently?

Women don't have the same right as men and I hope that when I have a daughter of age it will all change. And her opinion counts

mchubes

Are travellers represented by tds? would travellers vote? What is the community's relationship with the guards and healthcare like?

TravellerGirl

mchubes wrote: »

What was your experience of school like? Do many travellers live in the same place long enough to get an education? If so do many have settled friends? And if people are moving around alot what would be the most common sources of income?

I loved school until I got bullied.
Yes they do. I dontnow because you dont really mix.

I don't know because I dontmove around and I also ddont ask people private questions.

jester77

Did you move around a lot when younger and did it have an effect on your education? How is education perceived within the Travelling community? And did you have issues with bullying in school because you come from the travelling community?

Vito Andolini

vicwatson wrote: »

I assume the poster is talking about this case

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_John_Ward

That's what I meant, great answers so far.

TravellerGirl

mchubes wrote: »

Are travellers represented by tds? would travellers vote? What is the community's relationship with the guards and healthcare like?

I dont think so. I don't vote. The guards will not help you at all.

questionmark?

Does it annoy you that organisations like Pavee Point dont seem to acknowlege that there is a higher than normal instances of crime amongst some sections of the travelling community that tars the community as a whole?

TravellerGirl

unjedilike wrote: »

I remember years ago often seeing travellers being kicked out of shops before they got two feet inside purely because they were travellers. Does this still occur?

Yes it does. It happens all the time

TravellerGirl

vicwatson wrote: »

Whats your opinion on marrying pre 18 years of age?

Its not for me or my kids in the future.

Neyite

Hi TG!

You said you wanted children on the other thread. Is there a a maximum you'd like? Would this differ from the size of your parents family?

Would you use family planning or leave the number of children you will have to nature.

How long have you lived on your site? Would other families come and go often, or is it more of a long term community? Would you often get a Traveller family move in who you didn't know at all or do Travellers tend to move to sites with family they know already there?

TravellerGirl

MrWalsh wrote: »

So would she now consider herself a traveller or would he consider himself settled or would they both just see themselves as settled + traveller - and will their children be seen as settled or traveller - sorry sounds confusing!

No they consider themselves settled and traveller. Their kids areboth too.