Oein DeBhairduin is an Irish Traveller activist, educator, administrator, and writer. He is the co-founder of LGBT Tara (Traveller and Roma Alliance).
Oein DeBhairduin | |
|---|---|
 DeBhairduin in March 2023 | |
| Born | Tuam, County Galway |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | NUI Galway |
| Known for | writer, activist |
Publications
editIn September 2020, DeBhairduin published Why the moon travels, a collection of folktales from the Irish Traveller community retold. The book is illustrated by Leanne McDonagh, an artist and Traveller. It incorporates elements of the Gammon language.[1][2] DeBhairduin collected over 100 stories, with 20 being included in this volume. It is believed to be the first book written and illustrated by Travellers about Traveller folklore. DeBhairduin has spoken about the difficulties of transitioning these oral stories to the written form, and the complications which arise regarding authority.[1] The book was published and co-edited by Fionnuala Cloke and Gráinne O'Toole of Skein Press, who first encountered DeBhairduin writing on his blog, Keeping A Campfire. DeBhairduin consulted with his family and friends about the stories as they appeared in the final text.[3]
He took part in the Cúirt Festival in April 2021.[4]
In 2022, DeBhairduin co-published Weave, a collection of Solstice Stories along with Deirdre Sullivan, an Irish YA award writer. The book is illustrated by Yingge Xu, a Chinese ink brush artist.
In 2023, DeBhairduin published Twiggy Woman, a collection of ghost stories rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community and illustrated by the renowned Helena Grimes. These chilling tales, collected by Oein from Traveller folklore are re-envisioned and retold for modern times.
In 2024, he published a second book about the Irish Traveller community: The Slug and the Snail. This book is a tale rooted in the oral tradition of the Traveller community and illustrated by Olya Anima.
Activism
editDeBhairduin is active in a number of campaigns and voluntary groups.[1] He is co-founder of LGBT Tara (Traveller and Roma Alliance), and has spoken on numerous occasions about the lack of support for members of the Traveller community who are LGBT+.[5]
In 2021, he took part in the Children's Books Ireland Mind Yourself Mental Health and Wellbeing Reading Guide campaign aimed at children under 12 in 2021.[6] He spoke about the experiences of minorities in Ireland regarding institutional racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
Awards
editIn 2019, DeBhairduin won the Traveller Pride Award for Enterprise and Employment.[8][9] DeBhairduin and McDonagh were awarded a Judges' Special Award prize at the 2021 Children's Books Ireland for Why the moon travels.[10] DeBhairduin was awarded the Creative Places Tuam inaugural Thinking on Tuam Artist Residency in 2020.[11]
Personal life
editOein DeBhairduin was born near Tuam, County Galway in 1985. DeBhairduin attended St Jarlath's College, in Tuam before entering NUI Galway to study psychology. After graduation he worked as a clerical officer. In 2017, he moved to Clondalkin, Dublin. He worked at the Clondalkin Travellers' Training Centre as manager and employment director.[12] In 2018, he became the first Traveller to work in the Oireachtas, working in Senator Colette Kelleher's office.[8] In 2020, he was working as the manager of the Education Centre in Cloverhill Prison, Clondalkin.[12] As of February 2022 he is the Traveller Culture Collections Development Officer with the National Museum of Ireland.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c Murphy, Peter. "'If you are nomadic, your songs and tales become national'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Colleran, Mia (12 September 2020). "Why the Moon Travels by Oein DeBhairduin: Traveller folktales usher readers into another way of life". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Corrigan, Donal (9 September 2020). "A New Book of Traveller Folklore Is Rooted in the Oral Tradition". Dublin Inquirer. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ "Cúirt Festival - watch the Opening Night Event". 22 April 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Warde, Martin (25 April 2021). "LGBT+ Travellers: 'A lot of the community are ignorant towards the trans issue'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ "Mind Yourself: Resources to help mind children's mental health". 27 April 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Bray, Allison (23 March 2021). "Pandemic triggers a wave of racist attacks and slurs says INAR in latest report". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Inspiring Winners of 9th Traveller Pride Awards Pavee Point". Pavee Point. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Aodha, Gráinne Ní (20 May 2019). "Ireland's Got Talent singer and 16-year-old Mayo activist honoured at Irish Traveller Awards". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ Bryan, Mike McGrath (25 May 2021). "Cork woman recognised for her illustration work in kids' book awards". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ "Inaugural Thinking on Tuam Resident Artist Oein DeBhaurduin". Creative Places Tuam. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ a b Leonard, Sue (17 October 2020). "Beginner's Pluck: Oein DeBhairduin 'felt a responsibility' to tell Traveller stories". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ "After nine years as Centre Manager in St Olivers/ Cloverhill - off to new challenges and horizons - delighted! The Traveller Culture Collections Development Officer with the National Museum of Ireland... gra grath gradum!". Twitter. Retrieved 26 April 2022.