Music award – and a new mag
Carlow VEC chairman Cllr Denis Foley with Nigel Quirke-Bolt and Séamus O'Rourke at the launch the Traveller magazine 'Step Inside'.
THE LOVE OF music and how it impacts on people's lives has earned the Senior Traveller Training Centre a prestigious award.
Liz Connors and Celina O'Leary were among the course participants who took part in an innovative programme called a Song for All, which is a collaboration between the centre, the Carlow Education and Training Centre, and the University of Limerick.
Celina and Liz have forged a reputation over recent years for the their beautiful singing voices, which prompted training co-ordinators to set up the programme to develop the women's talents.
After intensive discussions between the learners, Carlow Education and Training Centre, and the University of Limerick, learners were able to access places on the university's acclaimed music department.
Last week, staff and learners alike were delighted to receive an Aontas Star Project Award which is recognition from the national organisation for adult education.
'The Traveller community has a long, vibrant and colourful musical tradition,' Nigel Quirke Bolt from the centre said. 'Music is very much part of the Traveller culture and forms an important component in their identity.'
Celebrations took place last week in the Visual Arts Centre when a concert was held and a new magazine on Travellers, called 'Step Inside', was launched.
