On September 7th, 2026, Minceirs Whiden hosted a national conference at the University of Galway to ask a critical question: should the Traveller community put its energy into campaigning for a formal State Apology for decades of historical mistreatment?
Held as a safe, Traveller-only space, the event brought together grassroots community members and advocates from across the country to share their lived experiences and discuss the lasting impact of assimilation policies, segregation, and systemic exclusion. The resulting report captures the unfiltered voice of the room, outlining the community’s demand for genuine accountability. The consensus is clear: empty words are not enough, and any apology must be built on a formal investigation and accompanied by ring-fenced resources for future generations.
Read or download the full conference report below to explore the key takeaways, community testimonies, and our strategic next steps.