Breaking Barriers: Thomas McCann Becomes First Traveller Man To Earn PhD At Maynooth University

Wednesday, 4 September 2024 14:18

By Martin Osborne

McCann was conferred with a Doctor of Social Science degree at Maynooth University (MU)

Thomas McCann made history today as the first Irish Traveller man to earn a PhD at Maynooth University (MU).

McCann was conferred with a Doctor of Social Science degree at Maynooth University (MU), where his research focused on community work and the Traveller struggle for human rights in Ireland.

He is also the first Traveller to complete a doctorate at MU.

This milestone coincided with the graduation of five other Traveller students, who received their Bachelor of Social Science Community and Youth Work degrees. The ceremony is part of MU's four-day conferring event, during which over 2,300 students will receive their parchments.

McCann's academic journey began in 1985 when he became the first Traveller student at MU, participating in an education programme run by the Dublin Travellers Education and Development Group, now known as Pavee Point.

He later earned a degree in psychotherapy and a Master's in Clinical Supervision from Trinity College Dublin, before returning to MU to pursue his PhD.

McCann is Director of the Traveller Counselling Service.

Reflecting on his achievement, McCann noted the importance of addressing systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, and internalised oppression.

"My aim was to stimulate something new in terms of thinking and to go beneath the surface and explore issues such as systemic racism against Travellers, intergenerational trauma and internalised oppression. These are values that are important to me,” he said.

The five undergraduate students who graduated alongside McCann are part of an initiative to support Traveller health workers in gaining professional education in community and youth work.

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