I loved reading and loved being with my friends. Education just wasn’t a huge thing for them. They had spent their childhood travelling around. She said: “My parents knew no better and didn’t understand the value of education.

Dr Tony Holohan issues urgent warning in message to the nation after cases rise.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar now not ruling out Zero Covid approach to beat Covid-19 in Ireland.

Latest figures show that just 1% of Traveller children progress to third-level education, compared with more than half of the wider community.Īnn Marie explained that her parents simply didn’t understand the importance of education.Īs a girl: Annmarie Collins with Joan Burton Read More Related Articles

“That was a tough period of convincing my family that education is OK. “During the secondary school period was when the identity crisis was going on, I was saying: ‘Oh my God this is what my community does, this is their norm but I want something different’. They wanted me to get married, pack in the school bag and leave school. She told the Ryan Tubridy Show on RTE: “When it came to Junior Cert time my parents’ expectations came to light. Trinity College graduate Ann Marie Collins said she had an identity crisis in secondary school after being told to drop out and get married - but she stuck to her guns and has thrived in education.Īnn Marie, from Navan in Co Meath, revealed she had a tough time convincing her parents to let her complete her Leaving Cert. A traveller woman studying a Master’s degree in teaching has urged kids from minority groups to stay in school.

Anne marie collins black mesa casino