Community leaders meet President Higgins

NINE young people from the Northside were recognised by President Michael D Higgins at a reception in Áras an Uachtaráin for their role in revitalising a flagging community event.As part of its efforts to develop community spirit in the new areas of Belmayne and Clongriffin, Dublin City Council established a family festival in 2010 to be held annually in the award winning Father Collins Park.

However, it proved difficult to excite and engage with residents and the city council felt there was significant potential to increase attendance at the event.

Local councillor Brian McDowell (Lab) recognised that the Belmayne Clongriffin Family Festival was badly in need of an injection of youthful energy and ideas and contacted Northside Partnership’s Young Community Leaders (YCL) in April 2013.

Speaking at the event, Cllr McDowell recalled how the group became involved.

“I was aware of the Northside Partnership Young Community Leaders’ programme which trains young people to become the future leaders of their communities in north east Dublin,

? he said.

“I also knew that as part of this programme, the young people were required to complete a community action project. It was clear to me, that reviving this festival was the perfect project for them.

?

The Young Community Leaders agreed to take a leadership role in organising the 2013 event and worked collaboratively with Dublin City Council and the residents of Belmayne and Clongriffin to deliver it.

Shannon Baker, one of the nine young people involved, presented the President with a report on the festival at the recent reception in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Speaking at the event, she said:

“We did a lot of work contacting local community and sporting groups and other potential volunteers.

“We wanted to involve them in providing activities on the day such as football, miniature golf, basketball challenges, novelty races, face-painting, dancing exhibitions and musical performances.

“Once we had an event offering that we knew would appeal to the community, we embarked on an intensive promotion and social media campaign.

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The festival, which took place on June 22, was a huge success.

Jim Kelly, from Dublin City Council, said:

“Despite the weather alternating between sunshine and torrential downpours on the day, over 1,000 local residents still turned out to enjoy the activities on offer.

“We were delighted with the turnout and very impressed with the work of the Young Community Leaders who not only managed to get the crowds out but who also ensured the event ran like clockwork.

“Their positive attitude and enthusiasm was infectious and helped to bring a big wow factor to the park.

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Mr Kelly said that for Dublin City Council, the event was a very positive experience and demonstrated the huge potential which can be unleashed through the positive engagement of young people with their communities.

“We certainly hope to work with the Young Community Leaders on many more projects in the future,

? he added.

Belmayne and Clongriffin are new developments that form part of Dublin city’s Northern Fringe Development.

They did not exist before 2003 but today they are home to residents in over 2,200 new apartments and 970 houses.