Speech by President Connolly at Afternoon Tea for the Traveller Community
Áras an Uachtaráin, 13 May 2026
A chairde,
Mo dills gralta. I am delighted to welcome you all here to Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon. I am conscious that many of you have travelled from all across the country to be here today.
Tuigim go raibh turas fada ag go leor agaibh agus sibh ag teacht ó chuile chearn den tír le bheith anseo inniu. Mo mhíle buíochas daoibh ar fad as an dua sin.
The Traveller Community holds a key place in the story of the development of Ireland’s culture and history. For centuries, you have moved across this island, forging relationships with settled communities and trading goods and culture. You have added great value to our society through your distinctive traditions, skilled craftsmanship and your deep sense of community.
Ba sibhse an snáithe a bhí fite fuaite i chuile chuid den tír seo agus sibh fréamhaithe go daingean sa chultúr, sa cheol agus sa stair.
In recognition of the important contribution you make to Irish society, in 2017, the State formally recognised Irish Travellers as a distinct ethnic group. This recognition was a joyful moment for human rights that was very much overdue and came after a long campaign.
The day itself was emotional – I was in the Dáil and remember it well. Indeed, it served as an affirmation of the identity, history and culture of the Traveller Community and was a source of pride for so many people.
Yet recognition alone can only go so far in embedding inclusion within the lived experience of your community.
Travellers, as you well know, continue to face discrimination on so many different levels.
The figures are stark and speak for themselves. Indeed, the latest report, “Traveller Substance Use in Ireland: A National Study” for the Eastern Region Traveller Health Unit, by Professor Catherine Comiskey and Dr. Debra O’Neill of Trinity College School of Nursing and Midwifery, highlights the real consequences of discrimination, including intergenerational trauma. This report, along with many that have preceded it, serve as a reflection of the systemic barriers that persist in our society, and that you have to face on a daily basis.
In building a truly inclusive Ireland, all of us are called to challenge that discrimination wherever we see it. We are called, too, to listen to those whose lived experience has often been sidelined and ignored. Education of course plays a vital role. We must teach our children, just as they teach us, to respect and celebrate cultural diversity.
Every young Traveller child deserves to grow up in an Ireland where they can feel confident in their heritage. An inclusive Ireland means one in which the Traveller Community are involved in the decision-making processes that serve you and where you are granted the same opportunities as everyone else.
Caithfidh muid mar thír a bheith fial agus fáilteach do chách.
Caithfear meas agus urraim a léiriú do thraidisiún, riachtanais agus cultúr an lucht siúil.
Caithfidh muid, lucht siúil agus pobal socair na tíre, oibriú le chéile chun ár dtír a shaibhriú agus a neartú ar bhealach atá cineálta, coinsiasach agus tuisceanach.
Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, I recently spent some time with the Donegal Travellers Project, where I was warmly welcomed. That visit provided me with the opportunity to listen to various speakers who outlined the progress made to date along with the many challenges that Travellers still face. In addition to the speeches, we were also entertained by two singers from the Traveller and Roma communities. It was a pleasure to hear them both. Over the course of my Presidency, I am looking forward to visiting other Traveller projects across the country.
I also note that Traveller Pride week will take place from the 18th to the 29th of May, and is being launched tomorrow at the GPO. From what I can see there is a wonderful range of events planned throughout the country.
I would like to thank musician and activist Trish Reilly for performing at today’s event, and I am looking forward to hearing her set.
Mar fhocal scoir, tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult agus tairbhe as an tráthnóna.
Turas slán abhaile.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.