Ballymun Youthreach hosted the annual Easter Youthreach cake and craft fair just before our recent Easter break. The competition saw a wonderful array of talent on display, not least our own ‘Green Shoots’ display from the Art class under supervision from Stewie.


The exhibition was attended by a representative from each City of Dublin Youthreach. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Easter and to remind you look out for student Eddie McElligot this week on new RTE series The Circus

There was great success for Ballymun Youthreach at the National Stadium as six of our boxers took part in the annual Youthreach boxing programme finals under the guise of Olympic champ Michael Carruth. Ryan Whittaker faced off against Cameron Ashworth while Liam Neeson went head to head against Dean Fuller. Representing the girls were Shauna O’Hare and Lathelle Berigan. In front of a packed house the six did Ballymun Youthreach proud and the loudest cheer of the night went to Liam Neeson who was awarded boxer of the tournament.

Ballymun Youthreach invited fifteen senior citizens to a morning of discussion, great food, games and dancing during their recent mid-term break. The intergenerational workshop was organised in tandem with Ballymun Community Law Centre. The morning consisted of fifteen students taking part in discussions with each senior citizen around topics of importance in the area, while simultaneously breaking down age barriers. Then followed a very frank open forum where tales of early Ballymun were shared alongside more recent yarns. Afterwards the combined group of fifteen students and fifteen senior citizens sat together for food prepared by Teresa and staff but not before the students were treated to an impromptu set of dancing. Ballymun Youthreach would like to thank Sonia Keniry, Liam Nicholson and Jeffery Corry of the Community Law Centre and Sinead McCowan Quinn and Pat Ledwitch of the DCC.

Well done to the Beauty Class of 2012 who achieved very high marks in both their Cosmetics Studies exam and Make-Up application exam

We all wish them the very best of luck in their future endeavours

Aislinn Burke: LA Make-Up Academy – Make-Up specialist course
Stacie English: Marino College of Further Education – Legal Secretarial Studies
Samantha Henry: Crumlin College of Further Education – Diploma in Beauty Therapy
Leanne Kiernan: Marino College of Further Education – Diploma in Beauty Therapy
Niamh Keogh: FIT Course – Transition Centre
Shauna McAuley: FIT Course – Transition Centre
Leah Murray: LCA – Transition Centre
Jessica Larkin: Has been offered employment in a beauty salon

Congratulations to Lisa Judge who recently had a baby boy Reilly and to Lucy Greene who is expecting her baby in August

Back row, left to right: Shauna McAuley, Aislinn Burke, Lucy Green, Stacie English, Leah Murray, Samantha Henry, Leanne Kiernan.
Front row, left to right: Jessica Larkin, Yvonne Murphy (Teacher), Jacqui Caulfield
(Co Ordinator), Niamh Keogh.

And below Lisa Judge

Ballymun Youthreach headed to Paris for their annual History trip this year on June 18th, 2012. Lionel, Jacqui and Joe were in attendance with twelve students this year; Dona Harper, Liam Neeson, Mary Ann Maughan, Erica Farrell, Michael McDonagh, Katie Lee, John Godfrey, Rebecca Kiely, Ryan Smyth, Aisling Johnson, Carly Caffrey and Ellen Maughan. This year’s sights included the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the palace of Versailles, the Musee de L’Armee and a boat trip along the River Seine. A great time was had by all!

Ballymun Youthreach braved the elements on Wednesday, April 25th to take part in the annual Mun Fun Run. Lionel and Teresa were accompanied by thirteen students who took part in the 3k and 5k run around Ballymun in atrocious weather conditions. Congratulations to Gerry McHale who finished seventh overall and to the other twelve: John Godfrey, Glen Maloney, Liam Neeson, Sean Maloney, Natalie Farrell, Michael Whelan, Michael McDonagh, Aisling Johnson, Antony Seery, Michael Dean Rikard, Shane Delaney and Glen Farrell.

Ballymun Youthreach was delighted to celebrate its 21st anniversary in the company of the President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina, Minister of State Roisin Shortall, John Lyons T.D, councillor Paddy Bourke, Jacinta Stewart and Dermot Stokes of CDVEC and 200 assembled guests.
The night was a wonderful success and a culmination of weeks of hard work and preperation from students and staff alike. In addition to the visit of the President was a talk from psychologist Shane Martin and a musical performance from the students with the help of Eamon De Barra, MissEllaneous and Pete Holidai. There was also a musical interlude from Liam O’Maonlai before the guests enjoyed a three course meal prepared by Teresa and Dave from Crumlin Youthreach. Check out the full gallery from photographer Leanne Keaney in the gallery.
Pictured below are some of the performing students before they took to the stage.

Well done to our four students who attended the Mansions House Youthreach awards ceremony to collect their certificates in December. The awards were hosted by the Lord Mayor. Pictured above and below are Jessica Larkin, Ryan Whittaker, Ellen Maughan and Lorraine Daly.

Ballymun Youthreach had a hard fought draw with Trinity Comprehensive yesterday in the first competitive match of 2012. The Youthreach who were unbeaten throughout 2011 in their four friendlies went behind twice with Mark Kelly equalising both times, the last goal coming three minutes from the end of a tense second half. The Youthreach were a little unlucky to have a Sean Cahill winner disallowed for offside.

The Youthreach team was 1. Johnny McAuley, 2. Christopher Dunne, 3. John Godfrey, 4. James O’Neill, 5. Mark Kelly, 6. Gerry McHale (c), 7. Dylan Rooney, 8. Sean Cahill, 9. Jamie Leeper, 10. Glen Emerson, 11. Colin Sheridan.

Ballymun Youthreach are currently embarking on a journey across different musical styles in their latest venture. Eamonn De Barra, Elayne Harrington, better known as Temper-Mental MissElayneous and Pete Holidai of the Radiators from Space are currently creating a unique blend of hip hop and trad with the students which will see the fruits in a CD which will be available at the upcoming 21st year anniversary celebrations.