Cashel's Doll O'Reilly honoured at Traveller Pride Awards
Doll has worked as a Community Health Worker with Tipperary Rural Travellers’ Project for over 25 years.
Cashel-based Doll (Mary) O’Reilly has been awarded the Community Award at the recent Traveller Pride Awards, which were held in Dublin on May 21, for “25 years of quiet leadership, generosity, care, and unwavering commitment”.
A Community Health Worker with Tipperary Rural Travellers’ Project for over 25 years. Dol lives in Wallors Lot and plays a major role in the lives of more than 100 children living in her community which has faced many serious challenges over the years. The award was presented on the evening by Maureen Ward of Minceirs Whidden, and in advance of the announcement warm accolades were paid to Ms O’Reilly’s work.
“Community work is often carried without applause, titles, and without people ever fully seeing the weight that one person carries. This award recognises someone whose life and work show the true meaning of community care.
“Wallors Lot has faced many serious challenges over the years, including addiction, domestic violence, and the heartbreak of many suicides. In the middle of all of this, our winner has been a steady, trusted, and caring presence. They help children with their educational needs, making sure they get to school and are supported to keep going.
“They support families with medical needs, helping them register for appointments and attend hospitals and clinics. They are there during the day, and often at night, whenever circumstances require it. Some years ago, our winner recognised that children in Wallors Lot were falling behind in reading and writing. Working with Tipperary Rural Travellers’ Project, they helped establish an after-schools programme two afternoons a week, supporting children with schoolwork and homework. That programme has gone from strength to strength and has made a real difference to the educational experience and aspirations for young people within their community.
Ms O’Reilly was one of nine Travellers from across Ireland and the UK who were recognised at the 17 Traveller Pride Awards. On the evening, the Intersectionality Award was won by Emma Ward from Athenry, Galway, who is a freelance journalist, disability rights activist, and proud Irish Traveller.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Irish Traveller Tenor John Doherty, who is based in the UK and sings in operatic style and in the “Bel Canto’ style, while the Education Award went to Cathleen McDonagh Clark, Education and Training Service Manager at Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service.
The Enterprise and Employment Award went to Bounce Back Recycling, a social enterprise established by Galway Traveller Movement. The Youth Award went to Kyle Harvey who is finishing a degree in Bio Analytical Science at ATU Letterkenny, and the Offaly Traveller Movement Youth Group also won a Youth (12-18) Award which recognised this group of young people, whose woven willow wigwam structure was displayed at the Hazel Hub, Tullamore during Traveller Pride Week.
The Music, Arts and Culture Award went to Martin McDonagh of Balbriggan Travellers for his work in Copper Art, and the Sport Award went to Michael Reilly of Longford, who is an experienced Social Innovation and Inclusion Officer, dedicated to creating sports initiatives that champion diversity, equity, and social inclusion.
Drawing on his lived experience, his work supports a wide range of communities, including Travellers and Roma, asylum seekers and refugees, LGBT+ communities, people with disabilities, women in sport, young people at risk, and people from disadvantaged areas.
The award was presented by football manager Brian Ker0r, also of Sport Against Racism Ireland.
“These Traveller Pride Awards show there are many ways to be a Traveller,” said event host Martin Beanz Warde, comedian, dramatist, tv presenter and recently appointed national co-ordinator of Traveller Pride Week.
“Our theme is ‘Looking back, Moving forward: Being an individual while celebrating our collective history’, and these awards highlight individual identities while also celebrating pride in the community and contribution to wider society overall.”
“For young Travellers in particular, events such as the Traveller Pride Awards are hugely important,” said Maureen Ward of Minceirs Whidden and the Traveller Pride Week Steering Committee.
“They allow young people to see role models from within their own community, people whose success, leadership and resilience show what is possible. Traveller Pride is about celebration, but it is also about visibility and the right of every Traveller child and young person to grow up proud of who they are.”