Our TraVision Foundation emerged from a deep-seated concern regarding the ongoing challenges faced by the Irish Traveller community and a clear recognition that conventional approaches were failing. For decades, policies of assimilation and integration, however well-intentioned, fell short because they failed to address the root causes of exclusion and marginalisation. A critical disconnect existed between the lived reality and community knowledge of Travellers, and the perspectives of institutions, including national organisations. These organisational bodies, often shaped by the very colonial legacies they sought to remedy, promoted solutions that inadvertently perpetuated harmful stereotypes and undermined Traveller identity, creating a climate of mistrust.

A new perspective was needed—one that challenged established narratives and embraced a more holistic understanding of Irish history and identity. The foundation’s journey began with years of dedicated engagement, bringing together diverse voices from community members, academics, scientists, and artists. This collaborative spirit led to the creation of platforms like the “Outside of the Colony” podcast channel, which explored the intersection of history, science, and lived experience, illuminating the unique resilience of the Traveller community.

Our TraVision Foundation was born from this journey, fuelled by a passion for social justice and a commitment to amplifying marginalised voices. The mission is not one of charity; it is a demand for justice. It is guided by lived experience, fortified by interdisciplinary research, and driven by the urgent need for collective healing. The foundation exists to protect cultural survival by sharing evidence-based truths, empowering communities with the knowledge of their own history, and facilitating a true “meeting of the minds” where reality can be redefined based on mutual understanding and respect, free from the distortions of colonial labels.