St Mary’s Park on King’s Island in Limerick was built in the 1930’s as the city’s first social housing estate. It was established to accommodate families who lived in overcrowded, poor quality housing. Because of its geographic location, bordered by the River Shannon, the estate is almost isolated from the surrounding city - locals and insiders refer to the area as The Island Field. St Mary’s Park is the most socially deprived area in Ireland, it suffers from high levels of unemployment, addiction and social problems. Nevertheless it has a strong community spirit where everyone knows everyone, is fiercely loyal and defensive, and suspicious of outsiders. Tamara Eckhardt portrays the lives of the young people of St Mary’s Park, continuing her focus on the theme of childhood and growing up. The living conditions in the area are difficult; yet the young people develop coping skills, adapt and find ways to divert themselves.

Childhood is of fundamental importance for everyone. But how does this change when external conditions are more hostile to life? How much earlier do children grow up and how much childhood is lost? In my work I deal with questions around growing up. As Ireland’s largest minority group Travellers are often ostracized from the Irish society for their nomadic way of life and pushed to the periphery of urban spaces. On the outskirts of Galway situated right next to the city dump is the Carrowbrowne Halting Site, home to eight Traveller families and their children. My project “The Children of Carrowbrowne” offers a glimpse into the environment and daily life of young Traveller children.