‘Welcome back champ!’ Kellie returns to Youthreach for emotional visit

Padraig Conlon

Kellie Harrington recently visited Youthreach in North Great Georges St, with her Olympic Gold medal.

She arrived at the centre twenty minutes earlier than expected to which she joked ‘it must have been a first’!

Drama and ESL teacher Anthony Ferns was chosen by fellow staff to welcome Kellie and to give a speech on behalf of the centre.

Olympic hero Kellie loved looking through the special wall of photographs of her time participating in activities in NGGS Youthreach.

Brother Martin Byrne presented her with a book ‘Writing on the Wall’ which he is the author of, with an article written by Kellie in it, while she was in Youthreach. Kellie signed the book and presented it back to Brother Martin for display in the centre for the future.

In his speech in the centre garden Anthony ‘welcomed back the champ’ in front of former and current staff plus centre students. He highlighted the photographs were not just beautiful memories but a reflection of Kellie’s character in participating in everything that was offered to her in Youthreach.

He continued that Kellie kept participating in activities in outside life.

Boxing was the thing she loved, focused on, and gave it total dedication. She developed her talent in the sport. That’s the big reason Kellie brought the gold medal back to Ireland.

Anthony told of former coordinator Pat Deery’s story of Kellie rescuing an injured bird in the very same garden 15 years ago which she remembered with pride.

Numerous rapturous rounds of applause and cheers were the order of the day from all present. The atmosphere was electric. Kellie was overwhelmed with joy on her return as were many others!

Kellie thanked all the staff and students for a great day and for the wonderful welcome.

She did not expect it.

She said Youthreach North Great Georges Street changed her life for the better and laid the platform for her successes since. She encouraged current students to follow their dreams, participate in all events the centre has to offer and listen to their teachers.

Kellie also told the attentive audience she wishes to remain amateur and hopes to box in the next Paris Olympics.

She also said she is under no illusions that she won’t win every fight and will lose fights between now and then.

She will continue to get back up on the horse no matter what. She described how there are plenty of up-and-coming fighters ready to knock her off her pedestal.

Kellie was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a framed collection of her photographs from her time in the centre.

Kellie generously spent two hours in the centre, despite having another engagement to go to.

She posed for socially distanced photographs with students and staff and chatted to everyone. It was like Kellie was back home in Youthreach North Great Georges Street and had never left.

Kellie went on to say on her Instagram page that it’s ‘Always nice to catch up with the people who never gave upon me and really helped my development as a person’.

If you are someone who has left school early, are aged between 16 – 20 and you’re looking to return to education in an environment you’re more comfortable with, Youthreach CDETB, 20 North Great Georges Street may be for you.

Youthreach is a full-time training course, 35 hours per week, for two years for 16- to 20-year-olds.

Students are eligible for a training allowance depending on their age.

Courses run all-year round, so you can start at any time.

Don’t hesitate to contact the centre for advice and help at [email protected]