About Us
Our Vision
We envision a culturally confident and inclusive Ireland where the richness of Roma heritage is embraced as a vital part of the nation’s story. It is a society where Roma creativity and traditions are celebrated openly, and where Roma voices are not only heard but respected, valued, and given space to shape the cultural, social, and civic life of the country. In this Ireland, the Roma community has the freedom, support, and recognition to nurture its identity, pass on its heritage to future generations, and contribute fully to a shared, diverse, and thriving cultural landscape.
Our Mission
Ando Glaso Ireland is committed to celebrating and advancing Roma culture through community-led work in the arts, education, and advocacy. We create pathways for Roma people in Ireland to express their identity, showcase their talents, and participate fully in cultural life, while also working to secure social inclusion, equal opportunities, and genuine representation. Through music, arts, heritage initiatives, and leadership development, we empower Roma individuals and communities to actively shape their futures and challenge discrimination. Our mission is rooted in cultural pride, collaboration, and the conviction that Roma-led initiatives are vital for lasting inclusion and meaningful change.
Core Values:
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Cultural Pride – Honouring the diverse and rich Roma heritage as a source of strength, creativity, and identity.
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Inclusion – Promoting equal opportunities and meaningful participation for Roma and Traveller communities.
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Representation – Ensuring Roma voices and perspectives are visible in decision-making, education, and cultural life.
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Empowerment – Supporting individuals and communities to develop their skills, leadership, and confidence.
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Collaboration – Building partnerships across communities, organisations, and sectors to achieve shared goals.
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Equity & Justice – Challenging discrimination and working towards fair access to education, employment, and social supports.
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Youth Leadership – Investing in Roma young people as changemakers and future leaders.
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Community-Led Action – Valuing Roma and Traveller-led initiatives as essential for real, lasting change.
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Creativity & Expression – Using arts, culture, and heritage as tools for dialogue, inclusion, and transformation.
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Advocacy & Voice – Speaking out for social justice and amplifying underrepresented experiences.
Directors
Vanessa Paszkowska is a Polish-Roma community development worker and cultural advocate, currently serving as National Traveller Youth Training Officer with the Irish Traveller Movement. She holds a BA in Law and Criminology and an MA in Social Science (Community and Youth Work) from Maynooth University.Vanessa has extensive experience in Roma inclusion, cultural outreach, and research. Her work includes projects such as Roma in Ireland: Access to Fair and Decent Work and the College Connect Community Needs Analysis with Traveller and Roma students on their experiences in higher education.Passionate about equality and representation, Vanessa regularly engages in national conversations on Roma rights, education, youth, and cultural visibility.
Niamh Dunne is one of Ireland's leading fiddle player and singer from County Limerick, hailing from a well-known Traveller musical family—the Dunnes—renowned for carrying traditional music through generations. Now a long-standing member of the acclaimed folk band Beoga, she has toured internationally, contributed to Grammy-shortlisted recordings, and collaborated with major acts—most notably helping co-write and perform on Ed Sheeran's Galway Girl and Nancy Mulligan.
Her debut solo album, Tides, released in 2022, presents entirely self-penned songs blending traditional storytelling with introspective reflections on feminism, heritage, and identity—rooted in her Traveller background. In 2025, Niamh featured in the film Ag Taisteal Siar—a documentary exploring Traveller musical heritage—bringing her voice to a new generation of storytelling
János Lang is a Roma fiddler, cultural producer, and founder of Ando Glaso, an organisation dedicated to promoting Roma culture, heritage, and creativity in Scotland and internationally. Since 2017, he has guided Ando Glaso’s development into a leading platform for Roma arts, fostering inclusion and building partnerships across the arts, heritage, and education sectors to create opportunities for Roma artists and communities to thrive.
Beyond his community-focused work, János has a distinguished track record in Scotland’s cultural scene — producing acclaimed ensembles, running international tours, and working as a recording producer and engineer. He has also served on the boards of BEMIS, KaskoSan and the Musicians’ Union, where he has championed Roma inclusion and representation in the wider arts sector.
