Traveller and Roma - Atlantic Technological University

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) recognises the rights and ambitions of students from Traveller and Roma communities. It is committed to the provision of equitable educational opportunities and access to university education for students from these communities.

Pathways into higher education include direct entry from school, via Access courses, Recognition of Prior Learning, Further Education and Training programmes (including Youthreach, PLC, adult education programmes).

ATU’s Access and Widening Participation Service engage with Traveller and Roma Communities in a variety of settings, encompassed under three pillars, each pillar setting out a range of services and supports to corresponding groups and individuals, as follows:

Other Education Providers

School /Centre visits

Information at Open Days

Campus visits and taster sessions

Summer camps

Contribution to Transition Programmes

Primary to post-primary; Post-primary to higher education.

Traveller Advocacy Groups (and Other Stakeholders)

Campus visits

Taster sessions, both on-campus and outreached

Information and support applying to accredited programmes

Academic, personal and financial information and supports before and during programmes

Delivery of customised programmes (accredited and unaccredited), both on-campus and outreached

Non-academic supports and services

Traveller and Roma Student Supports (Prospective Students and Registered Students)

Course information, applications and entry routes

Information on financial support including SUSI Grant and 1916 Bursary

One-to-one support throughout studies including learning support, maths support and assessment

Free Access courses

Students can avail of campus sports facilities, career guidance, healthcare, counselling, clubs and societies.

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“I honestly think if you want to do it, go for it and don’t let anyone stop you.”
Chloe McDonagh, Certificate in Community Development Practice, ATU Mayo campus

“While we face a number of systemic and societal challenges, actually, when you give the Traveller the right conditions, that they can have the same outcomes as anyone else”.

David Friel, Irish Traveller and Lecturer in Social Care at ATU Letterkenny campus

“I would like for someone from my community to get the same experience and acceptance that I got when I came here.”
Ellie McDonagh, Certificate in Community Development Practice, ATU Mayo campus

ATU Supports and Services include:

ATU’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team seeks to embed EDI across everything we do to ensure students and staff can learn and work in an environment defined by dignity and respect, where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is treated fairly.

More Information

Tel. (Donegal, Sligo Leitrim):	+353 (0) 74 9186501
Tel. (Galway/Mayo):	+353 (0) 91 742392
Email (all enquiries):	travellerandroma@atu.ie

News and Events

Events – Atlantic Technological University

ATU Traveller Ethnicity Day – 1st March 2025

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) marked Traveller Ethnicity Day, celebrated annually on March 1st, with a series of events celebrating the distinct cultural identity and heritage of the Irish Traveller community which has been officially recognised as an ethnic minority in Ireland since 2017.

The day highlights the community’s rich traditions, language, and history, while promoting awareness and combating discrimination. It underscores the importance of inclusivity and respect for Ireland’s diverse cultural tapestry.

Travellers and settled communities have shared Ireland’s landscape for centuries enriching the island’s cultural and social history. In celebration of this intertwined heritage and the value of mutual understanding and solidarity, ATU has arranged for the purchase of copies of Unsettled by Dr Rosaleen McDonagh, who is originally from Sligo. A bookmark has also been designed and printed in celebration of Traveller Ethnicity Day.

Other events across ATU campuses included an exhibition on Traveller Heritage at ATU Mayo (Castlebar). Final year History and Geography students (Department of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences) coordinated the exhibition which took place between 25-27 February. The exhibition provided insights into Traveller history and culture and was supported by the National Museum of Ireland.

Oein DeBhairduin, Inclusive Histories Curator – Traveller Culture with the National Musuem said:

“It is an honour to witness the continued celebration and exploration of Traveller heritage by the students at ATU. I am hopeful that the community voice and cultural exchange will remain at the heart of this ongoing journey and vital process of reclamation and shared understanding.”

In addition, The Institute of Guidance Counsellors issued a podcast on Traveller Ethnicity Day as part of its podcast series Treoir: Conversations with Guidance Counsellors in Ireland.

The podcast provides insights into a variety of insights for guidance counsellors working with students from the Traveller community including information on two programmes delivered by the Irish Traveller Movement; the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme (TAIP) and the Yellow Flag Programme. ATU provided information on entry routes to higher education and supports available in higher education institutions.

ATU continues its work to provide an inclusive, welcoming campus for all students, including members of the Traveller community.

Links:

Treoir: Conversations with Guidance Counsellors in Ireland (Institute of Guidance Counsellors)

ATU Access and Widening Participation Service

ATU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

ATU Libraries

The Yellow Flag Programme

Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme

ATU Traveller Ethnicity Day – 1st March 2024

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) celebrates Traveller Ethnicity Day today, 1 March 2024, and hosts a series of events across its campuses to recognise and honour Irish Travellers as an ethnic group, highlighting the unique culture and heritage of Irish Travellers.

Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, welcomed the ongoing initiatives supporting the Traveller Community, reaffirming ATU’s commitment to enhancing access to university education for students from the Traveller community.

“ATU is dedicated to providing Travellers with a positive and welcoming academic, social, and personal experience in higher education. With one of the highest recorded numbers of Irish Travellers accessing higher education, I wish to acknowledge the significant work of our community partners in supporting Travellers into higher education, and we look forward to continuing engagement with them.”

Paddy Maughan, Traveller Health and Wellbeing Support Worker at Mayo North East SICAP, delivered an insightful address at an event at the Mayo campus, emphasising the importance of universally applying inclusion measures. He commended ATU’s dedication to Traveller education, spotlighting the ongoing collaboration that resulted in developing the Certificate in Community Development Practice.
Currently, 44 members of the Traveller Community from Mayo and Galway are enrolled in this joint initiative involving ATU, Traveller Projects, Health Service Executive (HSE), local partnership companies, and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP).

Avril Greham, a campaigner for people with disabilities, joined Paddy Maughan to launch the MA in Transformative Practices in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at ATU. This part-time blended master’s program is open for applicants, with classes scheduled to commence in September 2024.

Throughout the week, ATU Traveller Education Officer Anne Marie Stokes conducted a workshop on “Get Inspired – Traveller Success Stories in Higher Education”. Simultaneously, a panel discussion on Inclusivity in Employment and Education took place at the Donegal Letterkenny campus, featuring Irish Traveller and ATU lecturer in Social Care David Friel alongside Dr Lynn Ramsey, Director/CEO of Teaching Council, and Victoria Matthew. David Friel expressed the significance of Traveller Ethnicity Day, acknowledging it as a historic milestone toward equality and recognition for the community. He urged reflection, planning, and action for radical change, emphasising the day as an opportunity to celebrate Traveller culture and heritage.

ATU secured funding for specific Traveller Education initiatives under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) 3 as part of the West-Northwest Cluster fund. Additionally, PATH 5 funding supports an Afterschool Programme in Donegal and taster sessions with Sligo Travellers Support Group, delivered jointly with MSLETB.

ATU Magazine Articles – Traveller and Roma Communities

ATU Supports Traveller and Roma Communities

Energy Efficiency and Energy Poverty in Marginalised Communities

Research into Needs of Roma community