Local Man Wins Traveller Pride Award

Posted by

A TRALEE man has won the Culture section of the National Traveller Pride Awards.

The win, for 20-year-old Martin Mahon of Meadowlands Estate, follows on from the success of Savannah McCarthy from Listowel in the Youth section of the awards last year.

“I found out about two weeks ago that I won,” said Martin. “I got the call and I was so delighted and honoured. It’s amazing to win any award, but especially a national one. I can’t wait for the ceremony in June and to meet the President there,” said Martin.

Martin got into acting from watching it on T.V. and found he had a passion for it from a very young age. He joined ‘The Free Radicals Youth Theatre’ in Siamsa Tire, and his talent started to emerge from there. His first play was called “My Big Greek Play” where he played a guard trying to stop a rebellion.

Martin then left for two years as he had to do his Leaving Certificate in Mercy Mounthawk. Martin sat his Leaving Cert in June, 2012 and passed everything. He then re-joined the theatre in September, 2012 and has been there ever since.

Martin also, at present, writes his own plays for Siamsa Tire. He has written seven different pieces and has entered script writing competitions. He hopes to continue and develop his acting career while he also sings and plays the guitar.

A statement from the Kerry Traveller Project read: “The management, staff and volunteers of Kerry Travellers Health and Community Development Project are delighted to be associated with the success of Martin Mahon in the Culture section of this year’s Traveller Pride Awards.”

martin_mahon_2

Martin Mahon from Meadowlands Estate, who won the Culture Section of the National Traveller Pride Awards. Photo by Dermot Crean

Comments are closed.

image