Macroom Foróige youth club launched
FORÓIGE, Macroom, held its inaugural meeting on Friday 3rd March 2017. The event took place in the Macroom G.A.A. Pavilion before an excited and happy group of adults and children. Founded in 1952, Foróige is the leading youth organisation in Ireland; its vision is that it believes in every young person.
It currently works with 56,000 young people, and has 611 clubs. It also has other activities including Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programme. It caters for youths from 11 to 18 years. The title ’Foróige’ come from the Irish words Forbairt na h-óige = Development of Youth; For + óige = Foróige and its aim is to develop young people in a fun way.
Catherine Cahill outlined the background of the advent of Foróige to Macroom.
After many discussions over coffee regarding the lack of a youth club in Macroom, Catherine and Claire Creedon decided to ask some other adults if they would be interested in getting a club going.
Most parents supported the idea but, understandably, were unable to commit to regular meetings etc.
Jennifer O’Sullivan and John Wenger quickly came on board, and by the time they had organised a volunteers’ training programme, Breda Quinn, Aoife Cooney, Rose Sweeney and Danny Morey had joined up. Fiona O’Mahony enrolled just in time to be included in the training process.
There was a very successful Youth Club based in The Castle Ballroom – now The Sports Complex - in the ‘70s and ‘80s and it catered for basketball, indoor soccer, athletics, table tennis and drama/light entertainment.
Considerable support came from John Dennigan of Foróige, Organizer for West Cork, and he came to Macroom last Sept. to talk about Foróige and brought with him volunteers from Ballineen to give an idea of what needed to be done.
Their help, guidance and support were extremely encouraging. Two from the group attended a District Meeting in Bandon where they met volunteers from West Cork.
In November & December Macroom volunteers attended training evenings, learning how to set up and run a club, and went through the Garda Vetting process.
Options for a meeting venue were explored and the group was delighted when, on approaching Macroom GAA, it was granted use of the pavilion on Friday nights. They are most grateful to John O’Mahony, Pat O’Connell and Pat Crowley.
Daniel Cronin and Colm O’Sullivan, Foróige Trainers, were enthusiastic and energetic, and their ‘Can Do’ attitude helped to dispel the fears and reservations about the considerable challenge they had. Foróige Clubs are run by the young people themselves with the support and co-operation of adult leaders.
So while the initial setting up of the club falls to the adults, the young people decide the format of the meetings, projects, events etc., they would like to organize.
The young members elect their own club committee, and learn to plan and manage the weekly meetings and outings.
Foróige was founded in Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny in 1952 as Macra na Tuaithe ( Youth of the Countryside) and changed its name in 1981.
Recognized as a charity, it is government funded and receives subventions from the H.S.E. and other statutory bodies.
Its headquarters is in Dublin and it employs administrators and organizers.
Foróige activities are designed to achieve their goals in a fun way by:
Building self esteem and confidence through challenging experiences
Developing the ability to manage personal and social relationships
Providing learning opportunities which enable members to gain knowledge and develop skills
Building the capacity of young people to consider risks and consequences, make informed decisions and take responsibility.
27 members registered on the night. Catherine was delighted with the large turnout on their debut night, and everyone enjoyed themselves very much. She is confident that this is an omen of good things to come. If interested, please contact 087-1510953.