Infolink 42
Hi all and welcome to another action packed edition of the most talked about ezine in youth work, infolink. It’s
the newsletter that brings you all the latest goings-on from Limerick Youth Service.
Inside this week’s infolink we have double the news from Comhairle na nÓg as the City and County groups held
their respective AGMs-their last ever ahead of next year’s merger.
Away for AGMs infolink has news from the Volunteer Achievement Awards, Rathkeale Youth Project, and a
grungefest in The Factory but we start with some boxing. Read on and enjoy!
Boxing Night at Perry
There was standing room only at the Best Western Pery Hotel, Limerick on Saturday last as boxing fans packed
into the city centre venue to witness an entertaining evening of boxing action.
Co-hosted by Limerick Youth Service and Our Lady of Lourdes/St. Saviour’s Boxing Club, the gathering saw
boxers, young and not so young, entertain the masses with a fine display of pugilism.
The opening bouts saw some ‘mini-fights’ with young boxers showcasing their talent inside the squared circle.
Following this it was down to the serious business with Clareman Tony Gleeson first through the ropes.
Mr. Gleeson, who was representing Limerick Youth Service, produced an immaculate display and had his arm
raised in victory after three cracking rounds.
Not long after, David O’Connor, Irishtown Garda Youth Diversion Project donned the gloves in aid of Limerick
Youth Service.
At the end of three scintillating rounds David and his opponent, Gary Sullivan could not be separated by the
judges’ scorecard.
‘I’m wrecked but glad I did it,’ laughed Mr. O’Connor when asked of his in-ring exploits adding ‘boxing was
something he always wanted to try.’
Others promising boxers on the card included reigning Irish schoolboy Paddy O’Donovan and brothers Ed and
John Reilly of Our Lady of Lourdes/St. Saviour’s Boxing Club.
‘It was a great evening and everyone enjoyed themselves,’ said Martin Duhig, Limerick Youth Service, who
thanked everyone for their support in making the evening possible.
Mr. Duhig thanked Shane Daly and all at Our Lady of Lourdes/St. Saviour’s and the boxers who made the trips
from Galway city and Ballybunion, Co. Kerry to take part.
‘We’d also like to thank the Best Western Pery Hotel and of course the many local sponsors who donated funds
and spot prizes,’ added Mr. Duhig.
Limerick Youth Service and Our Lady of Lourdes/St. Saviour’s Boxing Club have enjoyed an excellent
relationship and look forward to working together in the future.
With funding to the youth work sector having been cut yet again in Budget 2014 the evening was much needed
fundraiser for Limerick Youth Service and Our Lady of Lourdes/St. Saviour’s Boxing Club.
Honoured By Youth Work Ireland
Sean O’Meara and Jerry O’Donovan were the centre of attention at a gala luncheon in Dublin recently as they
were honoured by Youth Work Ireland for their contributions Limerick’s young people.
In front of their family and colleagues the pair were presented with the Extra Mile and Behind the Scene Awards
respectively.
A member of our Board of Directors, Seán O’Meara has been involved with Limerick Youth Service for almost
a decade.
‘Seán has gone above and beyond in his commitment to Limerick Youth Service,’ said Catherine Kelly,
Director, Limerick Youth Service.
A native of Newcastlewest, Jerry O’Donovan has been with Newcastlwest Youth Club for a decade and has
been a driving force behind the success of the west Limerick club.
‘Without the commitment of people like Jerry who donate their free time to our young people our youth clubs
would struggle to exist,’ said Ms. Kelly.
‘On behalf of everyone in Limerick Youth Service I would like congratulate Seán and Jerry on their success and
thank them for support,’ added Ms. Kelly.
Established by Youth Work Ireland in 1999, the Volunteer Achievement Awards recognise the contribution that
volunteers have and continue to give to youth organisations around the country.
County Comhairle na nÓg AGM
‘Express your thoughts and ideas,’ were the words of Cllr. John Sheahan, as he formally opened the Limerick
County Comhairle na nÓg’s AGM recently.
Cllr. Sheahan, the Cathoireaclach of Limerick County Council, was joined by current Comhairle members and
over 70 students from across Co. Limerick at County Hall, Dooradoyle.
The second level students, who hailed from schools from Killmallock to Abbeyfeale, took part in workshops
and learned about the role of Comhairle na nÓg.
Each year the Comhairle chose a topic of relevance to young people, research it and present their findings to the
relevant authorities to make them aware of issues affecting young people.
‘Last year we researched the teaching of sexual wellbeing as we felt it was lacking in certain schools,’ said
Matthew Maloney, Comhairle na nÓg and Pallasgreen.
‘We will present our findings to a local teacher during at a seminar in Limerick in November,’ said Matthew
adding ‘this is evidence of the importance of Comhairle.’
The near seventy students in attendance were then divided into workshops were discussed the topic that the
group will address this year, cyberbullying.
‘Cyberbulling is in the news regularly and the Comhairle will look at ways of addressing it this year,’ added
Matthew, in what was one of his final acts as a member of Comhairle na nÓg.
‘I joined Comhairle when I was in First Year and I absolutely loved it,’ said Matthew, a Sixth Year student at
Scoil na Tríonóide, Doon, Co. Limerick.
‘Knowing that a young person’s opinion is valid is one thing I will take from it,’ continued Matthew adding he
made great friendships during the six years with Comahirle.
Reflecting on the AGM, Claire Donaldson, Limerick Youth Service said it was a great success with more than
half of the students expressing an interest in joining Comhairle.
Ms. Donaldson, co-ordinator Comhairle na nÓg thanked everyone for their support particularly the students and
Comhairle members for their input throughout the day.
City Comhairle na nÓg
A week after the County it was the turn of the City Comhairle na nÓg as Deputy Mayor of Limerick, Cllr. Gerry
McLoughlin opened their AGM at the Absolute Hotel, Limerick.
The gathering saw over sixty young people from Limerick city learn about the workings of Comhairle na nÓg
and discuss the subject of Youth Spaces-an issue that the Comhairle will address in the year ahead.
Addressing the group Cllr. McLoughlin recalled that during his tenure as Mayor he had the honour of launching
Comhairle’s publication on ‘Promoting Positive Mental for Young People in Limerick city.’
‘During their workshops the young people discussed the merits and challenges of a youth space before
presenting their findings to AGM,’ explained Claire Donaldson, co-ordinator, Limerick Youth Service.
‘That young people simply want a safe place to hang out and spend time with their friends was one of the main
outcomes of the workshops,’ said Ms. Donaldson.
‘A chill out area, pool room, dance space and even a science room were some of the suggestions we had,’ added
Ms. Donaldson who congratulated the young people on their presentations.
It was an excellent AGM and many of those students expressed an interest in joining Comhairle,’ stated Ms.
Donaldson who thanked all who contribute to the AGM.
‘Cllr. Tom Shortt gave a passionate speech about the benefits of a youth space, while Music Generation and
Deirdre Minogue, City of Culture also addressed the AGM.
Note: In conjunction with the merger of Limerick City and County Councils, Limerick’s two Comhairle na nÓg
will merge in mid 2014.
Rathkeale Youth Project
By Eve Kearney
With all our groups are up and running at the moment Rathkeale Youth Project is a hive of activity.
Our first year girls have been doing art work this week along with the girls from the outreach secondary school,
while our boys are in the middle of an exhilarating pool tournament.
Preparations are also under way for our Halloween camp which will take place on October 30/31st for fifth and
sixth class students.
Finally, our second year girls are looking forward to the red carpet event on October 29th when their short film,
which will highlight the dangers of smoking, will be premiered at the Omniplex Cinema-stay- tuned for more
info on this!
A Social Studies student from Limerick Institute of Technology, Eve Kearney is on placement with Rathkeale
Youth Project.
Grundgefest at The Factory
By Letitia Noonan
On Friday last, The Factory was a very messy place as staff, including Priscilla Sheehan and Ailish O’Connell,
embraced their fears and took the plunge to raise much need funds for YELL La Fievre.
The gungefest saw Priscilla and Ailish hit with all sorts of sticky and horrid treats as everything from fishguts
and slime was flung at the duo!
And who were the culprits who had no hesitation in destroying our fabulous duos glad ragas? Why only young
people from our Young Men’s & Women’s Groups and the Laff Caff, Southside Youth Café. With friends like
this who needs enemies!
Something tells me revenge will be in the air in The Factory!
A huge thank you to all who participated in the gungfest.
Letitia Noonan is a Social Studies Student from Limerick Institute of Technology who is on placement at The
Factory: Southside Youth Space.
Limerick’s New Face at Youth Work Ireland.
Limerick Youth Service would like to extend our sincere congratulations to Eammon O’Briain who was elected
to the Board of Youth Work Ireland.
Eammon, who is a First Year student at the University of Limerick, was a member of Limerick City Comhairle
na nÓg and Limerick’s representative on Dáil na nÓg.
Coming Next Week
Wow! That was another action packed edition of infolink. Tune in next week for news of a visit by Sean Kelly,
MEP to Limerick Youth Service and more
Over to You
As always please if you have any comments on infolink or would like to know more about Limerick Youth
Service please contact the infolink team at [email protected]