The Traveller culture is a valid one. Travellers have contributed greatly to Irish art and music and have a great pride in their culture and identity.

Current Travellers with Craigavon are 4th generation families with a long history within the area. Many of them will talk about having been born and raised in the area and the difficulties and challenges faced by their forefathers.

What do Travellers want?

• To be allowed to live peacefully as part of Northern Irish society.
• Recognition that a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle is a legitimate way of living.
• Fairer representation in the media.
• An urgent solution to current accommodation problems.
• Greater acceptance and understanding.

Myth - Travellers don’t pay taxes!
Fact - Like everyone else Travellers pay road tax, VAT on goods and services, and income tax when working or self employed.

Myth - Travellers are dirty!
Fact - Travellers take great pride in cleanliness inside their homes and have strict rules about different bowls for washing hands, food and different items of clothing. Outside the caravan may be a working area. Many Travellers are homeless, having no legal site.

Myth - A Travellers’ site ruins the neighbour hood!
Fact - Where proper well-designed sites are provided research shows that neighbourly relationships can develop. Travellers can use local services and take their place in the community.

Myth - Travellers don’t care about society!
Fact - Many Travellers are engaged in very many paid and voluntary activities supporting local communities. Today, despite barriers to health and education services, increasing numbers of children are enrolled in school. Although often rebuffed, Travellers wan to engage with the wider community and promote mutual understanding.