At 28, Aaron O’Loughlin, a school-leaver at 15, an individual with a history of addiction and a target of anti-Traveller prejudice, will be honoured with the “enterprise and innovation” award at the yearly Traveller Pride Awards this Thursday.
Aaron, a Galway local, is currently an entrepreneur after establishing O’Loughlin Elegant Events Galway, a provider of floral arrangements for various events such as weddings and funerals, just two years ago. Raised with four siblings in a council estate in Ballybane, Aaron faced difficulty in focusing during his schooling years, leading him to drop out post Junior Certificate and leaving Youthreach within a few months due to similar issues.
In his search for work, he found that despite numerous applications, securing interviews was a daunting task. Eventually, at 18, he got a job as a delivery driver at a takeaway. The familial environment at the eatery, which was run by a friend of his father’s, kept him engaged. However, Aaron had to give up the job to battle a gambling addiction, which developed during his employment in Salthill, an area filled with amusement arcades and casinos.
With the invaluable support of his kin and friends, he managed to overcome his addiction. A friend who owned an events’ decoration business asked for his help and he found himself loving the hard work required. When the friend’s business closed down, he was urged by his peers to open one of his own. With the help of his family, he purchased a van, resumed his relationships with flower suppliers and currently has a team of four employees.
Aaron, a believer of the therapeutic benefits of hard work, will be one of the 10 winners at the 15th installment of the annual Traveller Pride Awards on Thursday. This award generates optimism and pride in the achievements of both individual Travellers and the broader 30,000-strong community which is frequently surrounded by negativity about mental health issues, difficulties in housing, and experiences of racism and discrimination, noted a spokesperson.
This coming Thursday will see the recognition of numerous winners including Annmarie Sweeney of Galway; once caught in the clutches of addiction and incarceration, she now stands as a pivotal founding member of the Traveller Drug Advisory Board.
15-year-old prodigious footballer, Nadine Cawley from County Galway, the only Traveller in her team, Ballinalsoe FC, will be another recipient of accolades. 13-year-old Cindy Collins from County Mayo is also due for commendation. An emerging artist and a commendable champion for Traveller culture are the reasons cited for her recognition.
The “community”award is set to go to An Tearmann, which is a Women’s Traveller group based in County Tyrone. The organisation provides support in various areas including health, education, rights and recognition.
When inquired about the significance of his impending award, Mr O’Loughlin expressed that he finds gratification in accomplishing his objectives. He further stated that this specific award surpasses being a goal—it resonates as a dream to him. Mr O’Loughin voiced his desire to see the award inspire every youngster with an aspiration, emphasising with hard work and dedication, those dreams can be attained. “Never halt, keep pressing forward. With continued efforts and support, dreams can be made tangible,” he stated.