Sunny memories are made at Youth Day
THE annual KDYS Youth Day has been one of the most popular events amongst Kerry’s teenagers for over 40 years, and the attendance at the 2017 staging would suggest its popularity is as mighty as its ever been.
Nearly 1,400 teenagers arrived for Sunday’s gathering at the INEC, and featured involvement from hundreds of volunteers from across the Diocese of Kerry.
This was the first year the Youth Day Organising committee consisted of a panel of seven young people, who received backing from KDYS staff,
The youths involved were Barry Sugrue, Edith de Faoite, Kerri Williams, Leanne O’Grady, Lin Moriarty, Rebekah Crean and Unity Ankomah, and they organised a day that served as a fitting end to the 2016/17 youth club year.
“They have been meeting weekly and organised an epic event with a pop-up Gaeltacht including a céilí, a virtual reality suite, inflatables, photo booths and a mega disco,” Madeleine Frissung of the Community Youth Work Team told The Kerryman.
“In addition to this they invited two very special guests. These were Lucy Fitz, who put on four wildly popular make up masterclasses; and Madison Cawley, a YouTuber whose meet-and-greet sparked hude excitement with her meet and greet.”
Among the day’s events was The Credit Union Chapter 23 Youth Club Challenge, where young people got points for their youth club by taking on various challenges including jousting, the bucking bronco, a bungee run, the loopy ladder and plenty more besides.
The winner was Listowel Youth Club, and the North Kerry club edged out Kenmare in second place and Ballymacelligot in third.
“The focus of the day, as always, was fun, participation and encouraging young people to socialise with each other,” Madeleine said.
“It certainly did all that and more, and we’re looking forward to Youth Day 2018 already!”