Jacks are back to launch the Shack

TWO famous faces travelled to Kilmore last Monday
(March 26) to perform the official opening of a local youth project.

Dublin football manager Pat Gilroy and star forward
Bernard Brogan launched the Shack Project based in Kilmore West.

A local management committee has been running the
youth project since July 2009 with four full time staff and a number of
volunteers.

The project aims to build positive working
relationships with young people aged 10-21 years. It provides a needs-based
response to young people with a key focus on personal and social development.

It also provides a broad range of engaging and
effective activities, programmes and services that reflect the interests, needs
and age profile of the people it serves.

The sun shone brightly on the day and there was a
great atmosphere.

Young people involved in the project made fantastic
posters and photographic displays of the activities. These included Graffiti
art, an accredited horse programme in conjunction with the Irish Horse Welfare
Trust, and a tree house programme, where the young people are building a tree
house in a space beside the youth project.

There was also a display of some of the trips taken by
the young people in the past three years such as fishing, paintballing, pier
jumping, canoeing and trips to the beach and zoo.

The launch was organised by the young people in
conjunction with the staff. Youth project participant Emer Finn was MC for the
evening.

Lauryn Byrne, who spoke at the event, said:

“The
project means everything to me. It’s fun and you can have a laugh and be
yourself.

“For me, I have learnt manners and I have more
confidence. That’s why I can stand in front of you today to tell my story of
the Shack.

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Glen Fagan and Kyle Scully spoke with enthusiasm of
their experiences in the youth project.

Kyle said:

“We get to go to different places with the
club. You can explore and discuss things in your life with the youth workers
that you can’t with other people.

?

Glen added:

“It inspires me to be a youth worker.

?

Dale O’Hanlon showed he has a bright future by singing
a song he wrote himself.

Daniel Shevlin, Adam Corway Rooney and Josh Coleman –
all youth project participants – played a big role in organising the launch and
showing guests around on the day.

Pat Gilroy said:

“I know we are in difficult times at
the moment. The things that make us great is that we help ourselves.

“This project is an example of what you can do in the
face of adversity. Get out and do it and enjoy it.

?

Mr Gilroy told the youngsters:

“This is your project
and it is a real honour for us to be asked to come here today.

?

The Department of Justice and the City of Dublin Youth
Service Board (CDYSB) fund the project.