THE TRUTH ABOUT TRAVELLERS

TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE: Wednesday 28th April 2010

Henry McKean gets to the heart of Traveller life in modern Ireland

Irish counties featured in this series include Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Meath and Westmeath

‘The Truth About Travellers’ airs on Tuesday the 4th of May at 9pm on TV3

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From family feuds to dodgy scams, Irish Travellers have earned a bad name for themselves over the years, but can they all be tarnished with the same brush? TV3's new series ‘The Truth About Travellers’ explores their unique culture, customs and day to day life in an intimate and revealing series, delving into Traveller communities around Ireland to get a clear picture of true traveller life.

From 18 year old Stacy Ward’s glorious wedding and showcasing the up and coming kids as they prepare for a national talent show, to teenage dreams of becoming professional female models, ‘The Truth About Travellers’ will look at a modern way of life and new generation of Travellers that has for many years been looked down upon by other sectors of Irish society.

In the 3 part documentary series, Henry Mc Kean explores the major issues surrounding relationships and marriage, religion, discrimination and work and ambitions. He lives on Traveller halting sites for several days, speaks to a gay Traveller who faced hostility towards his sexual orientation and attends a genuine Traveller wedding. Henry also visits Knock and Croagh Patrick to look at the importance of religion to Travellers and delves into the infamy surrounding bare knuckle boxing.

The first programme of ‘The Truth About Travellers’ will take a look at Traveller attitudes towards relationships and marriage. Having travelled the country talking to Travellers and living on halting sites to try and learn more about their culture, presenter Henry McKean attends 18 year old Stacy Ward’s wedding to get a real insight into a how Travellers celebrate such an important occasion.

Notes for Editor: Henry McKean is a reporter for Moncrieff on Newstalk 106-108 fm. He has won the PPI Radio Short Feature award 3 times; in 2006 for Henry of Orange and in 2007 for Don’t be Mean, Vote McKean. And in 2009 Henry on A Mission

‘The Truth About Travellers’ airs on Tuesday the 4th of May at 9pm on TV3

Henry McKean is available for interview, ph 086 3566628 for more details.

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ENDS.

For further information:
Maureen Catterson/ Ciara Byrne
TV3 PRESS OFFICE +353 1 419 3430/ 329
+353 87 7800 737/ +353 87 319 9732
Maureen.catterson@tv3.ie
Ciara.byrne@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
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