Welcome to the John Paul Youth Club Online

The First Committee

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John Paul Youth Club was founded by a group of people from the Twin Towns (Ballybofey/Stranorlar), and a local curate, Father Noel McGrath, motivated by Roisin Kerr, a teacher in St. Columba's College, Stranorlar. The group held their first meeting in the Butt Hall, Ballybofey on the 7th October 1983, and became the Adult Committee. Officers were elected that night and Fr. Noel became the first chairperson. Annette McGlynn (now Patton), then Regional Development Officer at Donegal Youth Federation (later Donegal Youth Service), attended that first night and assisted the committee in getting the club up and running. A Youth Committee was later elected, with representatives on the Adult Committee.

At following meetings there was discussion as to a names for the new club. Six names were chosen, and from these, the name - John Paul Youth Group (which was suggested by Paul Trayers, Sessiaghoneill) was picked. Some felt that this name was very much Catholic; however down through the years, the club has at all times been non-denominational. In conjunction with the choosing of the club name, a motif (emblem) was designed, depicting two pairs of hands clasped in friendship, and this was used on letterheads, t-shirts etc. In more recent times a new motif was designed by Gearoid McCafferty, a club Leader. This depicts the letters J-P-Y-C (John Paul Youth Club) in a circle. The emblem may have changed; however, I believe friendship is still at the core of the club.

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From the very start, Youth Club nights have been held in the Butt Hall on Thursdays. Activities at the club nights have varied and include indoor football, uni-hoc, disco and contemporary dance, board games, table tennis, quizes and darts. For about fifteen years, the club night was from 7p.m to 11p.m, and this time span of four hours included at Junior Section (12-15yrs) from 7p.m to 9p.m and a Senior Section (15-17yrs) from 9p.m to 11p.m.

Membership in the club between 1983-1995 averaged approx. 150 members. Membership between 1996-1998 dropped to an average of 80-100 members. In 1998-1999 the age limit for joining the club was lowered to 11yrs, which was more suitable for competition purposes. Due to a shortage of Leaders that year, the Senior Section (15-17yrs) was not run, and despite efforts being made, it has not re-opened to date. A group of young people who had been in this Senior group volunteered to act as Assistant Leaders (u-18yrs ) to ensure the Junior Section continued to function.

The club has been running almost without a break since then, and running a drop-in-centre, which will be referred to later. Present membership (2001/2002) is 63 young people in the age group 11-14yrs, with 1 Youth Worker, 3 Assistant Leaders, and 14 Adult Leaders working with them.

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Despite what had been achieved through the years, it was felt that something more needed to be done for the youth of the area, particularly during the period of the summer break. With this in mind, activities such as sports days, outings and drama training were organised. However, the numbers catered for were limited, and it was decided that research ought to be carried out to access the needs of young people. Club representatives attended a conference in 1997, and contact was established with a "drop-in " centre in Derry. It was generally agreed that such a facility would serve some of the requirements of the youth of the area.

In December of that year FÁS, through Donegal Youth Service, appointed a part-time youth worker, Roisin Heffernan, to work with John Paul Youth Club, initially for one year. A group of members informed Leaders of a premesis, just off Main Street, Ballybofey, and with support from local business, this was rented and prepared for use. The youth centre, named by one of the young people as "Planet Youth", was opened on 03/01/98, and was something completely new for Ballybofey.

It had been described as a place to go to "hang out", a drop-in-centre. It continues to provide an activity for youth after school hours in a drug and alcohol free environment. Planet Youth is a place where friends can meet, refreshments can be taken, board games and snooker played, arts and crafts can be learnt, and even some homework can be done.

Up to the time the centre opened, there was no place in the Twin Towns that the young people could call their own, and it is a better alternative than the streets. In short, it provides "space" for young people to relax and learn new skills. The centre is still manned by a youth worker, Georgina Mullin, assisted by volunteer Youth Leaders, and has been based in a small house on Donegal St, Ballybofey since 1999.

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The Youth Club nights continue until the end of June each year. During July and August a summer project is run from Planet Youth.

The summer project generally consists of a Variety concert, featuring Youth Club acts. A "Fun Day", organised by Mark Doherty and other Leaders at the Finn Valley Centre, consisting of crazy sports, a fun obstacle course, penalty kicking and other events. A trip to an outdoor pursuits centre (such as Gartan, Churchill) is part of the programme, and includes canoeing/kayaking, rock-climbing, ab-sailing and elementary orienteering. In addition, if there are a sufficient number of young people interested, outings are organised to a bowling centre, cinema, or a forest walk.

In order to run the summer project, young people who are qualified under the Student Summer Jobs Scheme, and are found to be suitable, are recruited to assist the Youth Worker and the Voluntary Leaders.

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John Paul Youth Club has been associated for many years with the Balor Theatre, Ballybofey, and the Director there, Kieran Quinn. Many members have received drama training, and been involved in productions and Youth Club concerts. As a result, some have even taken up acting as a career!

In more recent years, a connected group, the Balor Developmental Community Arts Group, has been set up by Mark McCollum in the theatre building. This group have facilitated courses for Youth Club members in drama, mural painting, and most recently in Personal Development Course, which was tutored by Amanda Slevin, a Club Leader.

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During 1997 a successful cross border exchange was run between clubs in the Donegal Youth Service area and a group from Derry. John Paul Youth Club were involved in this exchange, which included climbing Muckish Mountain (Co. Donegal), a day trip visiting youth centres and facilities in Derry and a number of workshops in both Derry and Donegal. During that year also, a group from the Club took part in an enjoyable cross border sailing course in Co. Antrim.

During 1999, in my capacity as Development Officer, Mark McCollum (the Balor D.C.A Group) introduced me to Gordon Speer of Border Arts 2000, who planned to run a number of cross border events in the Millennium Year. As a result, a group from the Club attended a cross border (and cross community) training course in Circus Skills, such as stilt walking and juggling, in Killen, Castlederg.

The group later performed at Killeter Fair and at the Twin Towns Festival. More recently, groups have taken part in a number of festival 'Carnival' parades in the Castlederg area (run by the Border Arts group), as stilt walkers and dancers. Performers/instructors who are on contract to the group have also come to Ballybofey to put on shows for the members.

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In the early years, 1984-87 the club disco dancing teams had great success, winning All-Ireland titles in Robotics/Breakdancing; the most successful members of these teams being Martin Connolly and Eddie Kelly (pictured left) both from the Ballybofey area. They won the National Federation of Youth Clubs All-Ireland disco-dancing competition on four occassions.

Later, Claire Bradley took charge of a group of young female dancers who reached the National Games and Variety Show on a number of occasions. Their most notable achievement was in winning the Variety Show Final in 1995.

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The No Name Club was a cabaret act lasting approximately 30 minutes, and full of song, dance, drama and comedy. This was another area in which club members were successful. It was a large part of John Paul Youth Club activities for quite a number of years and first took part in competition on 17/2/1984, reaching the pinacle of success by taking the 1988 All-Ireland title.

This was later replaced by the Variety Show in which the club have participated with success.

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Table tennis was another game in which much success was gain mainly due to the efforts of a local man, Martin Browne of Donegal Rd. Club teams, coached by Martin, won a number of titles at National Games and Community Games in the mid-90's.

In the early 90's Liz Clarke of Woodlawn, who participated in adult quiz, to the highest level, took over the running of quiz teams in John Paul Youth Club and in 1992 the team reached the National Games Finals in Galway, but were unsuccessful. In 1993 I took over this team, who were now competing at u-16 team, were beaten. The following year the u-19 team again reached the finals, and on this occasion were successful. I would put this victory down to the grounding the group got from Liz and she is to be congratulated.

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Uni-hoc, along with indoor 5-a-side, is a game which is very popular in the Youth Club. This game originates from Ice-Hockey are that both are played indoors and a both games a Puck is used in preference to a ball. The sport is played with two teams 5-a-side, consisting of both male and female players. Plastic stick with a hook are use to hit the puck to one another, and eventually into the net. The Club enjoyed good success in this game in the early "90,s under team advisor Fr. Paul McGeehan, and the highlight of this was when a club team reached the National Finals at Maynooth, only to be narrowly defeated in the final.

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In addition to being leaders, Gerard McLaughlin and I are also involved with a group called Twin Towns Community Platform, whose main aim is the provision of a Community Resource Centre for Ballybofey/Stranorlar. The platform includes representatives of the main community groups in the area, and is being facilitated by Donegal Local Development Community, who are assisting the group in every way possible in furtherance of their aims which, by their very nature, are long-term, and dependent on funding. John Paul Youth Club have been informed recently by the Committee that they intend to carry out a major refurbishment of the Butt Hall, and upon invitation, made a submission outlining the needs of the club in a re-vamped building. A member of the present committee, Paul McBride, is a disabled person and he will be consulted at all stages to ensure that any new building provided will be accessible to those with disabilities.

In common with other voluntary and community groups, the club has, in the past few years, found difficulty with recruiting sufficient suitable people to act as leaders. In order to improve this situation, it was agreed some time ago to appoint young people (aged approx 16 years) to assist leaders during club nights and other activities. This proved to be quite successful, and the young people concerned are to be complimented on their efforts. Student Gardai, based at Letterkenny, have also assisted on club nights and others from the community coached, gave instruction, arranged activities, and provided venues. To these people, the club offers sincere gratitude.

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About two years ago, a group of transition year students living locally, but completing a 'Community Involvement' project for 'Gaisce - the Presidents Award' at Ballinamore (Fintown) Community School, came on club night to assist the leaders. On completion of their project, this group - Irene Snodgrass, Laura McGinty and Sharon Lyons, continued to work with the club, attending all major events. Their contribution is appreciated by all concerned. This I believe might be something to build on in the future. Early in the club year, by contacting teachers at schools where there are transition year students, it may be possible to recruit suitable students as assistant leaders.

In the longer term, I believe that there would be need for a properly equipped drop-in-centre at a central position in Ballybofey, and the provision of the Resource Centre sought by the Platform in Stranorlar. In relation to personnel, I believe that in addition to Voluntary Leaders, there would be the need for a group of paid Community Youth Workers to be based here, providing for the needs of youth - not only in the Twin Towns, but in the Finn Valley area generally.

In addition to cross border activities, another area which I feel could be developed in the future is that of European youth exchange. This type of activity has only been undertaken by the club once before - about twelve years ago, when John Paul Youth Club had a successful exchange with a Youth Club from Denmark.

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The John Paul Youth Club has served the community - and particularly the youth of the Twin Towns - very well over the years. With the continued goodwill of the public, sufficient volunteers, and the right resources being provided, I have no doubt that the group will continue to do so in the future.

Eugene J. Drumm, Development Officer

Teenagers today are 'Hi-Tech' and computer orientated. A lot of their ideas have been formed from watching TV, and here's where John Paul Youth Club could do another service. By showing the odd popular film and afterwards evaluating it, teenagers could learn to be discriminate viewers. A computer or two would also attract more teenagers to the club. Apart from being a valuable learning resource, the Internet opens up opportunities to communicate with other Youth Clubs...not just in our own area, but throuout the world.

We would like to see the Youth Club Leaders paid by the Government in recognition of their work and commitment.

In order to keep the small-town tradition of friendliness alive, the Youth Club and it's survival is very necessary to the Twin Towns. While mainly being a centre for leisure and enjoyment, it can also participate in the life of the community in a very full way. The ways suggested would be mainly to involve the youth of other areas throughout the Finn Valley, and particularly those from Northern Ireland. It is also vital to include the sick, handicapped and the elderly, all of whom are often forgotten in our younger society of today.

Maria & Grainne Gallagher

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