“Mincéirs: Paving the Way” Podcast with Hosts Latisha McCrudden and Emma Ward

Latest Episode

In Episode 7, Emma and Latisha discuss the topic of domestic abuse within the Traveller community, and Latisha shares some of her personal experiences of domestic abuse.

Amplifying voices to raise awareness

‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way,’ presented by advocates Latisha McCrudden and Emma Ward and supported by the Community Foundation of Ireland, aims to shine a light on the experiences and challenges faced by young Travellers in Ireland, promoting a sense of empowerment and community.

‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way’ highlights the unique issues faced by the Traveller community, and encourages individuals to feel empowered and confident in using their voices for change.

The podcast creates and curates engaging, insightful episodes that break down barriers by highlighting the commonalities between young Travellers and non-Travellers.

By featuring stories from trailblazers within the Traveller community, ‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way’ inspires listeners to combat racism and promote inclusivity in Ireland. ‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way’ also amplifies the views and voices of young people on pressing issues.

Discussing the issues that matter to young Travellers

Each episode of ‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way’ delves into critical themes such as sport, ableism, politics, education, mental health, and employment. The podcast also features a diverse array of guests, including:

• Thomas McCann, founder of the Traveller Counselling Service
• Senator Eileen Flynn, the first female Traveller to be appointed to the Seanad
• Rose Marie Maughan, prominent human rights advocate
• Rosaleen McDonagh, playwright and disability rights activist

Beyond Traveller Pride Week

The podcast launches on Thursday the 6th of June, following Traveller Pride Week, ensuring the momentum of the conversation around Traveller issues continues to grow. By keeping these important discussions at the forefront, ‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way’ creates a lasting impact on listeners and society at large.

“I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity to co-host this empowering podcast, to have great conversations with many amazing diverse people in our community and to be able to share my own experiences as a disabled Irish Traveller woman”, said Emma Ward.

“I hope this gives listeners a deeper understanding of my community and to know that there’s so much goodness within the community despite the negative impact of social media, I hope each and every listener enjoys our hard work”, she added.

Listen now to all Episodes

Subscribe or follow ‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way’ to listen to every episode as they are released every three weeks on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Episode 1: My Experience of Racism in Sport as an Irish Traveller

With a first Dan black belt in karate, episode one of ‘Mincéirs: Paving the Way’ looks at Latisha’s experience in the sport. It is available to stream now wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes will be released every three weeks, so follow now to make sure you are notified when a new episode is released.

Episode 2: Women’s Rights

In this episode, our hosts Emma and Latisha talk with Rose Marie Maughan from the Irish Traveller Movement about the stereotypes and struggles of being an Irish Traveller Woman.

Episode 3: Mental Health

In this episode, our hosts Emma and Latisha talk with Thomas McCann from the Traveller Counselling Service about mental health within the Traveller community.

Episode 4: Education

In this episode, Emma and Latisha talk about their experiences within the education system, together with Senator Eileen Flynn who joins them to share her own views and what can be done better.

Episode 5: Ableism

In this episode, Emma and Latisha chat about the topic of Ableism and how it has affected their lives. They also speak to Dr Rosaleen McDonagh who is an Irish Traveller activist, playwright, author and wheelchair user. Together they cover topics such as representation, intersectional and having pride in your identities.

Episode 6: LGBT

In this episode, Emma and Latisha sit down with Shane McCarthy, a rising TikTok star who’s making waves online by sharing his unique experiences as a gay Irish Traveller. Shane, whose TikTok following is rapidly growing, offers a candid and insightful look into the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and Irish Traveller culture. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of navigating these two distinct communities, providing listeners with a rare glimpse into a life that bridges traditional Irish Traveller heritage with current LGBTQ+ experiences.Through Shane’s personal stories and reflections, our hosts explore themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of social media in amplifying diverse voices. This chat is all about the ins and outs of identity and why it’s so important to see yourself represented online.

About the hosts

Emma Ward is a freelance journalist and content creator. She has powerfully shared her story as an Irish Traveller and activist living with a disability.  You can follow her journey and activism on TikTok at @emmawardjournalist and X @emmawardjourno.

Latisha McCrudden is a 19 year-old first year law student at the University of Galway. An Irish Traveller and activist, Latisha has a strong interest in politics and shares her insights throughout the podcast. You can follow Latisha on Instagram @latishamccrudden and X @latishamc2004

Read more about Traveller Specific Services

This podcast is supported by the Community Foundation of Ireland.

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