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A weekly update of what's going on at Limerick Youth Service

infolink

Above: Barbara, the Wicked Witch of the West, awaited the terrified teens at Rathkeale Youth Space 

Infolink is a newsletter that has all the latest news from Limerick Youth Service and promotes the popular contribution of young people to our community.

This week’s Infolink is a spooktacular edition that captures the strange goings on of the Halloween season, while there’s also news of Limerick’s Fittest Youth Club and the Garda Youth Awards.

Castleconnell’s Scary Village

Vampires, goblins, a three eyed fortune teller and scary clowns greeted the brave folk of Castleconnell, as they entered the Scary Village at Shannon House recently.

In an event not for the faint hearted, those who entered the Scary Village met a dystopian world not out of place in a Stephen King novel!

Among the many attractions that awaited visitors was The Carnival, a deceptive fun fair theme attraction that was created by young people from Castleconnell.

With its clowns, surprises and fortune tellers, The Carnival accounted for a number of innocent victims who still have not recovered!


Above: What has the future in store for you! 

The Scary Village was part of Castleconnell’s Halloween Festival, a popular annual event that sees local community groups, including Limerick Youth Service, transform Castleconnell into a Halloween nirvana!  

‘It was an excellent event and really frightening,’ said Shay Maloney, LYS, as the youth worker nervously spoke with Infolink.

‘The community, including the young people, deserve great credit for all their hard work in making the Scary Village a terrifying success,’ said Shay, as he slowly regained his composure!

‘The young people have been hard at work creating their costumes and took great joy as they frightened the poor souls of Castleconnell and myself,’ smiled Shay.

Shay thanked the young people, volunteers and staff at East Limerick Youth Project for their support, with the team already planning for next year!

To view photos please click HERE (Via Facebook)

Halloween in Rathkeale

Rathkeale Youth Space was awash with goblins and ghouls recently as the West Limerick youth hub celebrated the feast of All Hallows Eve!

As part of the festivities, the popular Youth Space was transformed in a gruesome gothic fortress-peppered with witches, warlocks and all sorts of gruesome creatures!

The souls who entered the Witch’s Lair, enjoyed a host of traditional games such as bopping for apples and pumpkin carving, while there was also a scary movie night for those brave enough!

To view photos of Samhain in West Limerick click HERE… if you dare!

Halloween Fair in Garryowen

Traditional games, music and a Haunted House greeted young people and their families at the annual Garryowen Halloween Fair held at Geraldine’s AFC recently.

Organised by Limerick Youth Service and the Garryowen Community Development Project, the Halloween Fair saw people of all ages take part in events such as foot-darts, while others decorated their faces ahead of Oiche Samhain.

The Halloween Fair was a much-welcomed event for young people who have embraced the return to normality after a challenging year and half.

‘After what has been a surreal year, it was great to welcome the young people and their families to our Halloween Fair,’ said Jonathan Collins, LYS.

‘The young people with our youth committees were keen to hold this year’s Halloween Fair and it has certainly been a great success, even if some looked a little sheepish emerging from the Haunted House,’ laughed Jonathan, LYS Garryowen Youth Together Project.

Jonathan thanked the young people with LYS’ Garryowen Youth Together Project, the Irishtown GYDP Hub and the Garryowen Community Development Project for organising the Halloween Fair, while he also thanked Geraldine’s AFC and the local community for their support.

To view photos please click HERE

Below: We're not scared, say Garryowen Youth! 


Halloween Horrors for Limerick Teens!

Brave souls from Limerick Youth Service paid a visit to the Scare Factory, O’Callaghan Strand, Limerick during the Halloween midterm.

The young people, who were from several LYS projects and groups, ventured to the Scare Factory and have just about recovered!

One of the those to try their luck at the Scare Factory were the Northside Youth Group who were at the venue with their youth worker Frankie Daly.

‘Within two minutes we wanted to run for our lives,’ screamed Frankie, as he recounted his experience inside the former sweet factory.

‘It was terrifying, but we stuck together and got through it, though I think some of our crew are still shaking!’ laughed Frankie, who has assured Infolink that the young people have fully recovered!

Below: The Brave Northsiders at the Scare Factory

Young people from LYS’ City Centre Youth Group were another to enter the Scare Factory and survive… just!

‘It was certainly an experience but we’re a hardy bunch in Limerick City,’ smiled LYS’ Mary Duhig as the youth worker composed herself after what was ‘an eerie experience.’

‘It was all a bit of fun and the young people really enjoyed it- well I think they did!’ said Mary with a wry smile!

Young people from the East Limerick, Garryowen YouthKing’s Island and Rathkeale-Askeaton youth projects were among the other souls to enter the Scare Factory however, when asked to recount their experiences, they hadn’t quite recovered!

Below: City Centre Youth Group at The Scare Factory

 

Southill & Garryowen the Fittest!

Young people from Garryowen and Southill Hub overcame the challenges of their peers from Limerick Youth Service and Westend Youth Centre, at they won the inaugural Fittest Youth Club Challenge at Ballyhass Lakes, Co. Cork recently.
 
Faced with challenges as varied as kayaking, stacking, Jacob’s ladder, archery and an assault course, the young people from the Southill Hub and Team Garryowen took the gold medals home to their respective communities.
 
A partnership between Limerick Youth Service and Garryowen Community Development Project, Team Garryowen were crowned winners in the 10-12yrs category, with Southill Hub taking the 13-15yrs and 16yrs+ categories.


Above: Action on the water at Ballyhass Lakes 

‘What a day!’ exclaimed Suzi Cronin, Southill Hub as she spoke with Infolink at the end of an action packed and emotional day in north Cork.
 
‘We had 88 young people from different communities get together, have fun and enjoy a little healthy competition,’ said Suzi.
 
‘The young people were speaking about it for weeks beforehand,’ said Suzi adding ‘today gave them a great sense of pride as they were representing their clubs and community.  
 
The inspiration for the event was the result of Suzi’s keen interest in the TV show, Ireland’s Fittest Family, with the youth worker keen to make the format workable for young people and youth clubs.
 
‘I’ve wanted to do it for a while and with the year we’ve had with Covid-19, the time was right and the young people and other organisations were keen to get involved,’ said Suzi.


 Above: Team Garryowen attempting to conquer Jacob's Ladder 

A few Zoom meetings later, Suzi and the Southill Hub crew were joined by Westend Youth Centre, LYS’ Youth and Family Support Project and Team Garryowen (LYS Garryowen Youth Project, Irishtown GYDP hub and St. John’s Youth Club).
 
The result was an excellent and fun filled day at Ballyhass Lakes that was enjoyed by all, particularly the young people who completely embraced the challenges.
 
Suzi thanked the partner organisations, the Ballyhass Activity Centre, the Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board, Tusla and SICAP for their support, with a special word of thanks for the young people for embracing the occasion and representing their groups with pride.
 
To view photos, please click HERE (Via Facebook).

Nominations Sought for Garda Youth Awards

Limerick Gardaí in association with Garvey’s Centra and Supervalu are seeking nominations for this year’s Limerick Garda Youth Awards.

The awards are designed to acknowledge the volunteering activities of young people and those that have faced and overcome challenges in their lives.

An Garda Síochána recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in Limerick and awards will be considered for nominated young people who by their presence, activity and contribution make their communities a better place to live in.

Nominations can be submitted by individuals, youth organisations, schools, youth clubs and voluntary groups but young people must be between 13-21yrs.

Entry forms are available at www.garda.ie with the closing date Friday, December 3rd with the awards ceremony temporary scheduled for the Woodlands Hotel, Adare on Thursday, February 3rd.

Over to You

The Infolink team welcomes your feedback.  If you have any suggestions or feedback on this or any edition we would love to hear from you.

Please send your views to LYS’ Youth Information team at yib@limerickyouthservice.com or call 061-412444/083-1726898.

Times & dates subject to change.  Limerick Youth Service is not responsible for content of external sites
 Below: Welcome to The Carnival at Castleconnell's Scarey Village 
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