CHRISTMAS PARTY 2006

The Western Traveller and Intercultural and Development Group, held their Annual Senior Citizen’s Party 10years celebrations at Harmony Hall, Bru Bhride.
The attendance was very good as usual, but the absence of old friends, who sadly passed away during the year, was very evident, even knowing they surely have gone to their heavenly reward.
These good people I refer to are: - former Mayor – Miko Kelly, Mrs Cosgrove, Mag. Ward, Helen O’Leary Mrs. Moggan, Rose Condon, Larry Kavanagh, Big Bernie Ward. Their absence was sadly missed at the event. The Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Farragher, was offered up for them and also prayers were offered for those who were unable to attend due to illness or who were in hospital, such people as Laurence Ward, Maggie Sweeney, and Marty Ward.
We wish them a speedy recovery and best wishes for the year to, come. Some of the speakers at the event were Fr Farragher, Supt Seamus Kane, Mrs Nuala Kelly and Cllr. Martin Ward.
They all spoke of the importance of an inclusive community spirit and working together for the benefit of the whole community.
A four-course meal was prepared and provided by our FAS Community Workers and Volunteers. The food was excellent and everyone enjoyed the day.
Tuam Pilot Music Project provided some entertainment on the fiddle and tin- whistle. All the young people involved enjoyed this experience.
We were provided with spot prizes for everyone who attended the party by various businesses in Tuam and for this we are grateful.
At this year’s event our music group for the dancing was ‘Sunset’ - Noel Glynn and Michael Connolly who were an excellent choice for the evening. Some good dancing skills were very evident not to mention the talent of some good singers.
All had a great day and evening.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped to make this year’s party a success the FAS Community Employment Workers, the volunteers and of course we would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to all those who sponsored the event.

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MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

Theatre Forum Production

14 Traveller Women took part in a Theatre Forum on Mental Health in Castlebar and Tuam on December last. The women involved were from Galway City, Tuam and Mayo. The production was on Mental Health and conducted by the Voices Production Company.

Theatre Forum is a theatre whereby the audience can change the way the actors respond to different issues, and in this case the topics covered are Mental Health issues such as: - bullying, stress in the workplace / in the home and discrimination.

The women involved attended 8 workshops to prepare for the performance. Service providers from throughout the region were invited to attend.

The show was performed in Tuam and Castlebar and it is hoped the next production will be performed in Galway this year. Between the service providers and the Travelling Community, 50 people were in attendance at each performance.

Photo Donna Mc Donagh, Teresa Ward, Mary Mc Donagh and Winnie Ward.

RETIREMENT

Margaret Mc Laughlin Asst Director of Public Health Nursing, who retired from the Steering Committee on the Primary Health Care Programme.

Margaret and friends saying Goodbye and Good Luck.

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HEALTH HEALTH HEALTH

TRAINEES

COMPLETE OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID TRAINING

The Trainees from the Primary Health Care Programme recently completed an eight-week
Course in Occupational First Aid and successfully gained a three-year certificate of competence.
This course is recognised by the Irish Health & Safety Authority. The participants passed
A practical and verbal exam conducted by an outside Examiner.

This course gives the necessary skills for someone to save a life and the knowledge of what to do in an emergency situation for a family member, love ones, friends or work mates.

The content of the course included:
-Adult and child C.P.R. – e.g. bring someone back to life.
-Scene management: - e.g. what to do at the scene of an accident.
-Bleeding & Wounds.
-Shock & Fractures
-Soft tissue injuries: - e.g. treatment of sprains.
-Unconsciousness
-Burns.
-Poisons
-Medical Emergencies: e. g - Asthma attack - Epilepsy.
-Breathing.

Anyone interested in taking part in a First Aid Course in Bru Bhride, please contact
Laura Mc Hugh at (093) 52515
for further information.

Certificates in Children First

All 12 participants of the Primary Health Care Programme received certificates in Children First in 2006. Child First is a programme that delivers training to participants on child protection. Children first training helps organisations of all types and sizes to improve their policies, procedures and practices to safeguard children and young people. Children first training provides people with a set of sound principles and good practice guidelines. It outlines the various steps to be followed in order to protect children at risk and tries to prevent the recurrence of child abuse.




Nora Ward one of the participants who received a Children’s First Certificate.

Men’s Health and Fitness

Programme:

The same group of men as those on the B.T.E.I. Programme has taking part in the Men’s Health
And Fitness Programme. The programme is geared towards the participant’s development in better health practices. The programme stems from the fact that Traveller Men’s health is quite
poor and this is evident form a local cardiovascular screening day, which was held in Tuam recently.
The health programme will look at the holistic approach to health, i.e. looking at physical, emotional, mental and environmental health. The newly formed Gym on site will facilitate part of this programme. A Fitness Instructor works with the group twice a week.

Men’s Health and Back to Education
Initiative

The B.T.I. has 14 men all of senior age. The Programme is aimed for participants to obtain better educational opportunities. The duration of the course is 3 years.
The course content is as follows: -
Literacy skills and creating awareness of educational ability by practice and selected tuition. General and practical experiences will be given and applied to the workplace. The B.T.I. provides modules such as Tiling, Crafts, General, Education, Literacy, Personal Development and Personal Health.

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Launch Of The Health and Community Booklet

The Primary Healthcare Participants designed and developed a Health and Community Directory. The directory was made more reader friendly by putting in pictures to depict various services and pages were colour coded in order to access the information quickly. The PHC participants picked the most suitable pictures to represent the services. Brian Murphy, PCCC launched the Health Directory in December 2006.

This PHC Programme is funded and HSE and FAS

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Music

Christmas Party 2006

The Children’s Christmas Party, which was held on 16th December last, was a great success. Over a 100 children attended the event at Harmony Hall, Bru Bhride, Church View, Tuam. This event was organised by the Western and Intercultural Development Youth Services, formerly known as T.T.E.D.A. It was the 17th year that this annual event has taken place. Santa attended as usual and provided Santa bags and refreshments to all the children. The children’s disco went down a treat with everyone enjoying the dancing. There were spot prizes galore and this added to the excitement for the children.

The first Children’s Christmas Party was held in the Tuam Community Centre in 1989. The first sponsor was Steve Lane, the principle of St. Patrick’s Primary School. Steve who supplied toys for the event.

Other sponsors were Mrs Murphy Tuam Furniture Stores who supplied Santa bags, Paddy Shaughnessy and Frank Kilkelly who supplied soft drinks from Coca Cola. The late Ann Dwyer R.I.P. made the Santa costumes; this event would not be possible without the kind sponsorship of local businesses in Tuam.
We would like to take that opportunity of thanking all those who helped out in any way.

MUSIC RESOURCE PROJECT

The Music Resource Project was established in Western Traveller and Intercultural Development in December, with funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund, through the Rapid Programme. The Project followed on from a pilot programme, which was set up and funded by the Irish Youth Foundation. The aim of the project is to provide music lessons at an affordable rate to children who otherwise may not have adequate opportunities to pursue their musical interests. Lessons are now up and running, as outlined in timetable. In the coming weeks we hope to have Saxophone, Bahrain, Clarinet, Drums, Mandolin, and Banjo.
At present approximately 52 children attend and we have a waiting list of 80 children.
The Music Resource musical talents are becoming first class performers.




Music Resource ~ Project Time Table

Monday
4.00pm - 4.30pm Fiddle Donna & Ger
4.30pm - 6.00pm Tin Whistle Donna & Ger


Tuesday
3.30pm - 6.oopm Guitar Simon Kelly

Wednesday

4.oopm - 6.00pm Guitar Simon Kelly

Thursday

2.30pm - 6.00pm Keyboard LauaHeneghan

All lessons take place in the Music Room Bru Bhride.

The Music and Summer Camp at WTIDA

The Music Resource project was established in Western Traveller and Intercultural Development in December , with funding from the dormant account, through the rapid programme. The project followed on from a pilot programme which was set up and funded through the Irish youth foundation. The aim of the project was to provide music lessons at an affordable rate to children who otherwise may not have adequate opportunities to pursue their interests. there was also an exciting new venture this summer in WTIDA who hosted a Music Camp. Children were provided with the chance to develop their musical skills further by experiencing classes in songwriting , performance , learning about different instruments, music quizzes drumming a musical performance by the tutors , jumping castle, a barbecue and a fancy dress. There was also a summer camp in Bru Bhride which was a huge success and different age groups were involved in fun activities including a visit to leisureland a trip to the fire station and garda station and a day trip to Delphi! We would like to thank everyone who contributed in raising money for the summer camp on the 13th of July. We would like to thank Donna Gleeson , martin ward and Teresa Kelly and Geraldine who co ordinated each camp. Musicians Simon Kelly and Geoff Ward, all the members of the Ce scheme in WTIDA and volunteers, as these events wouldn't have happened without their dedication and support. A special Thank You to all the children that attended the camps. We hope they enjoyed themselves. We would also like to thank the Angela Holian, town Clerk , Christy Corcaran, Community Warden and Peter Gannon for allowing us to perform on the fundraising day.

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R.
A.
P.
I.
D.

The Rapid Area Implantation Team in Tuam were successful in getting additional funding under the Dormant Accounts scheme for the following projects in Tuam.

Happy Days Community Creche
The Irish Wheelchair Association
Stepping Stones Child Development
Intercultural Research Project , Tuam Resource Centre
Music Resource Project, Bru Bhride

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VISIT OF MINISTER
EAMMON O CUIV


Minister Eammon O' Cuiv visited the Western Traveller and Intercultural Development centre to meet with the R.A.P.I.D Community Reps.

Michael Kitt T.D, Councilor Tom Reilly, Teresa Kelly A.I.T R.A.P.I.D Community Rep,
Pat O' Hora Chairperson of R.A.P.I.D A.I.T, Minister Eammon O'Cuiv, Martin Ward A.I.T R.A.P.I.D Community Rep, Serg. Seamus Keane A.I.T R.A.P.I.D and Councilor Michael Connelly.




Pat O'Hora FAS Development Officer, Ann Mallaghan R.A.P.I.D Coordinator and Eith

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The Old Traveller Traditional Wagon

Restored by FAS Community Employment Scheme.

BEFORE

Well done to all the FAS participants that got involved in this project:

Tony Goode,Sean Chrisham, May Mc Donagh, Winnie Ward,Patsy Mc Donagh, Denis Ward and Andrew Ward.

AFTER

Picture taken on St. Patrick’s Day where the project won
1st prize in its category


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ANNIVERSARY PRAYER

In the past year we missed you near,
Yet in our hearts we held you dear.
We know that we will meet once more,
When we come knocking on heavens door,
Until that day may you rest in peace, In God’s own love, which will never cease.
May their souls rest in Peace?

1st Year Anniversary
We remember particularly at this time. Bernard Ward, alias Big Bernie.
Bernie did interviews on T.V and radio, on Travellers Culture.
He is gone but not forgotten.

Remembering Our Loved Ones
Recent Bereavements

Charlie Mc Donagh, Ennis & Tuam
Michael Mc Donagh, London. Formerly 20 Gilmartin Rd, Tuam.
Eva Connern, St Endas Ave., Tuam,
Jonathan Kiely, Douglas, Cork & St Endas Ave Tuam.
Sean Maloney, Newtownmorris, Tuam.
Desmond Canney, Parkview Drive, Drive.
Tom Mc Hugh, Caherilistrane, father of Paddy Mc Hugh. T.D.
Delia Ward. 5 Gilmartin Rd Tuam.
Tom Connelly, The Plantation, Cloonthue Tuam.
Ellen Mc Donagh, Athenry.

The Death occurred on the 5th of August 2007 of Mrs Nora Reilly of 42 St. Josephs Park Tuam. We send our condolence to husband Tom and five children, two girls and three boys.
May she rest in peace.

Life has changed not ended Lord, for your faithful peoples life has only changed it has not changed.
Because when our earthly bodies lie at peace, we are given a new and everlasting home with you in heaven.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God Rest in Peace, Amen



Recent Births within the Community

We would like to congratulate the following parents on their new arrivals:
-Bridie Conroy (baby boy)
-Theresa Ward, (baby girl)
-Jim & Sabrina Ward, (baby boy)
-Deirdre Ward, (baby boy)
-Tom & Mary Ward (baby girl) -Gerard & Carly (baby girl)


RECENT MARRIAGES within the Community,

-Rosanna Ward and Bernard Ward
-Martin Ward and Tina Mc Donagh.
-Margaret Ward and Jonathan Ward.


The Wedding of Martin Ward and Maryteresa Ward took place on the 21st of June in Brooklodge Church, Ballygluinn . Mary terasa is the daughter of Martin and Anne Ward , St Endas Avenue. Martin is the son of Patrick and Mary Ward , Parkmore Tuam .
The couple now reside in Tuam.

Photo in Here!






It takes a ring, it takes a prayer, and it takes a dream two people share.
It takes two hearts that beat as one it takes true faith in years to come.
It takes God’s blessing from above most of all it takes our love.
Where there is love, the heart is light, to help when things aren’t going right,
Where there is love there is a smile which helps make everything worthwhile.
Where there is love there’s a quite peace, a special place where troubles cease.
Love changes darkness onto light and makes the heart take wingless flight.
Oh blest are they, who walk in love, they also walk with God above.
For God is love and through love alone,
We find the joy that saints have known.



Publish Post

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Primary Health Care Women’s Day Out to the West.

The Primary Healthcare project team set off on the last day of `May from Tuam to Connemara. The wild yellow gorse was in full bloom, and the hedgerows were alive with summer blossom. We headed for Clifden, which was the first port of call on our journey. We visited drugs Seminar, our contact being Ms Marie Feeney who spoke to experience in rural settings. She drew parallels in relation to youngsters who are isolated in towns and rural areas becoming easy prey for drugs and alcohol misuse. Marie made the point that teenagers should be targeted when they attend primary school, in order to familiarise them with local youth projects, as its too late to build a relationship with them when they enter the teen years and become vulnerable to drugs.
After Clifden we turned right at Maam Cross, travelling through remote watery lands, which were dotted with bog cotton. We were due to meet the local Parish Priest – Eamon O’Congha who has created a garden entitled” The Well of the Seven Shadows”. This garden incorporates symbols of pre-Christian lore, current folklore and customs of the local Irish speaking community. Father Eamon engaged us with tales of bravery and valiant deeds of heroes and heroines of the distant past.



Our final stop before dinner was Rainey’s boatyard. Joe and his brother Bartley have produced some fine workmanship in boat building for three generations. This knowledge has been handed down through the Rainey family. We were intrigued to see the fine thatched cottage, which had served the original Rainey home in the boatyard; it’s now used as a storehouse for assorted supplies. Bartley Rainey took the time to speak to us concerning the rudiments of boat building, whilst also introducing us to the basics of a Fish Farm, which was also visible from the Pier, close to the Rainey home. Boats were an important mode of transport for Connemara people, as their open road was the sea, which they travelled in order to trade, and barter before the coming of the roads we see today.
Finally we ended our journey tired and hungry in the Connemara Isles Golf Course; our host was Sean O’Linsigh founder of Galfmara. After a hearty dinner and some songs we headed out of the West after a most enjoyable day.

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Grants for Tuam under the Rapid Programme

We are pleased that grants to develop play areas for Tirboy Est. and Parkmore have been finalised. The Tuam rapid team which is led by Pat O'Hora and Ann Mallaghan, they have worked hard at this proposal. The idea was brought forward by the two Tuam area representatives Teresa Kelly and Martin Ward this will have a major impact on the estates.

Dublin Rd. Finally the work has commenced on the proposed development at the Dublin Rd. estate Tuam. The Old building which have historic significance in Tuam is to get a major face left.

TUAM COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Parkmore Residents Association would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped out with the Community Garden over the last few months. To Rebecca and Jimmy Hussey (gardeners), RAPID and Galway County Council, Elaine O'Riordan, Galway County Biodiversity Project (funders) and Brendan Smith for his help in putting the website up and for the adults and children that helped out every night.
Special word of thanks to Fr Sean and Fr Ray for the blessing of the Garden and P.J. Jordan for his help in the garden to date.

JAMBOREE DAY

On Sunday 21st of October we held our first jamboree day in the old Mercy School Dublin Road Tuam. It was a Fund Raising Day and all funds raised would go towards the Christmas Party for the Elderly which is held annually in the Western Traveller and Intercultural Development centre. We were blessed with the weather. Their were various stalls and plenty of activities for the young and old. We had spin the wheel where there was great prizes to be won. We also had guess the weight of the cake which was won by Fiona Ward. Their was other activities like the pet show and guess how many sweets in the jar which was won by Gerlindine Deanley , there was lucky dip, sweet shop, cake sale, horse shoe throwing, face painting, penalty shoot out, BBQ , which all went down a treat. We were all entertained with lovely music by Simon Kelly and his Wife and special guest Donna Gleason on the fiddle. We had great Irish dancing lessons from Nora Ward, we also had Mary Ward sing a lovely song called 'Noreen Bawn' . We hope to run this Jamboree on a annual basis as it was a great success. We would like to thank all our sponsors and everyone who contributed to this event, and all our volunteers who also helped out on the day. Looking forward to our next one.

HALLOWEEN PARTY

The after-school homework classes had their party on the 31st Oct. All the children dressed up in different costumes. They played games eg. they had a basin of water and put apples, nuts, sweets and money at the bottom of the basin, put their hands behind their back and put their heads into basin to try to get something. They had an apple hung from the ceiling and each child had to try and bite the apple it was great fun. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the Leaders.

Publish Post

Profile of Nora Ward

Nora Ward was the youngest of thirteen children. Her father was a chimney sweep and tinsmith who used to work with farmers. In her early years years, Nora travelled the countryside with her parents and family and spent time living in Roscommon, Strokestown, Ballgar and Glenamaddy. She remembers those years as a time when “you could leave the door open and never be afraid”. In 1963 she married Martin Ward and the couple lived at the side of the road for their first four years of marriage. When Nora was in her early twenties she and her husband moved onto their first house on the Dublin Rd. in Tuam, with the help of SrLeo and Fr Williams. Nora says that nuns and priests have been very good to her during her life. When the Ward family first moved to Tuam, Nora wasn’t fond of the town as she didn’t know anyone and found it very hard to mix. However this soon changed as Nora began to make lots of new friends, she mixed with the settled community and travellers alike, and says of the Tuam people’ I could tell them my secrets and trust them’. I could tell them my secrets and trust them; She now lives in Parkmore Est. Tuam and says she wouldn’t leave it for the world.
Nora and her husband Martin have fourteen Children-nine girls and four boys-they also lost a son who died very young. They also have forty-eight grandchildren. When Nora was young she worked and says there wasn’t time in those days for school. However, she ensured that all of her children received a good education in Tuam with the boys doing their Leaving Certificate in St. Patrick’s College, and the girls doing their leaving Certificate in the Presentation College . Nora speaks with great pride of her children and says they all did very well, and they all came out with good jobs. I hope this training in Primary Health Care goes on for a long time. Its a great way to meet new friends and interact with different cultures, by doing this training I have learned a lot of skills and information. Nora admits she often had a tough time rearing fourteen children with her husband Martin, to whom she will be married to for forty-four years this July. There was no time for her to get an education, however when her youngest child was twelve, in 1996 Nora decided to return to education. This wasn’t an easy move for Nora and she say when she was learning to write her name people would sometimes laugh at her. Although it was also hard for her to cope at home. Nora stayed in education for four years and made many good friends. In 2005 a wonderful opportunity came along for Nora where she began a course in Primary Health Care with twelve other traveller women where she is now training in Health and Literacy Skills.

Likes and Dislikes

Nora likes cooking brown bread and has great time for African children. She enjoys going to the Novena and meeting new people. She eats healthy food and enjoys taking a walk. She likes

to share with people, to attend mass and visit Knock. She loves to see the altar made and most important to her is the Rosary, which she says every day. She likes to offer advice to the young and spend time with the elderly.

Nora doesn’t like people to act in selfish ways or to hear people gossiping about each other. She hates to hear people criticise and hurt each other and would like them to go to mass more often to learn more about selfish ways and to have their confessions heard.

Favourite colour: Sky Blue

Favourite food: Bacon and Cabbage

Favourite Movie: Star John Wayne

Favourite Place: Lourdes or a good Party

Favourite Singer: Daniel O’Donnell

Most Admired Person: Mary Mc Aleese

Favourite T/V. to watch: Irish Step Dancing

If I had three wishes they would be....................
1. For more peace in the world
2. To have a hospital in Tuam.

Nora’s Story

When I was a little girl in my mother’s knee, she used to tell me nice stories and rock me to sleep on her knee. She curled up my Blondie hair with differn' coloured ribbons in my hair hanging down. She made some nice dresses for me to wear and on St. Patrick’s Day. she used to make badges out of green ribbon to put on our coat for St. Patrick's Day. . They would pick the shamrock in the field and my dad would wear it on St Patrick’s Day.

He was in the army when he was a young boy, he knew how to walk and twist around and then you’d know it was St Patrick’s Day. He would turn up his long whisks and sids it up with soap, He would comb his lovely curly hair and he’d smoke his pipeand have his lovely smoke. My mother would polish her black boots, a mush a God be with the times they would polish them with the goose grease they’d have there. They weren’t able to afford polish, the grace used to polish things shining that you would see them coming on your way. She used to keep her ‘breegen’ that was her begging piece. She used to be proud of that. She’d get her old black shawl and put it on her back. “Dear Child” she said. ‘You cannot come’ cause I’m going for a bottle of stout’. Her clay pipe she did light and when the smoke was coming out it was just like an old train with the whistler blowing out. Dad and Mom, they were good days, I do getlonly when I sit down and look around, I have no one to see there.
Children Dear take my advice, those things they are so true”’
Take care of your old dad and Mom no matter what they do”. They brought you into this world to seek for the best, don’t go around to old people and bate them and do wrong to them. Sure my mother often told me to treat the older well, to always take care of them and be their sweet good friend.
I told a story to my family for them to share it on to tell their children that their Mom did tell them. I am closing down and proud of this and I wish that I could write this story myself. I hope this story will go on when I am gone for ye to learn good. My tears rolls down at night time. My pillow it is so soft. God be with the time we had those days; sure the time was very short. My bleesing to you one and all and wish you health and happiness.

Always loved,

Nora Ward

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