History of Youthreach Ballina
The centre became operational in August 1992, the co-ordinator was presented with a set of keys and a directive from the CEO Joe Langan (RIP) to prepare the old Vocational School in Ballina to become a 25 place Youthreach Centre.
The Centre was officially opened by President Mary Robinson in December 1992. Staff were quickly recruited to provide a balanced and challenging curriculum, which has grown over the years adapting to the needs and demands of our learners.
Sports, Outdoor Education, Art and Performing Arts have featured strongly on the curriculum and we pride ourselves that not only do we value and nurture the holistic development of our young people, but we are also extremely successful in the delivery of the exams our learners failed to complete in school.
The following time line gives only a brief chronological peek at some of the events that have taken place over the past 30 years, a miniscule proportion of the work we have done and continue to do – much better to see the photo montages on the walls, the banners and learners work, these show a much truer representation!
You really should pop in and sample it all!!
TIMELINE
August 1992 – Centre opened- buildings readied for arrival of students
October 1992 – 25 Trainees (22 male, 3 female)
Subjects – English, Maths, Typewriting, PE, Woodwork, P & SE Work Experience, Outdoor Education
November 1992 – 1st Visit to Achill Outdoor Education Centre (AOEC)
50+ subsequent visits
December 1992 – President Mary Robinson officially opened the centre
February 1993 – Host inaugural Connaught 5 aside football competition (Boys)
October 1993 – 25 trainees (19 Male/ 6 Female)
New subjects – Car Mechanics, Home Economics, Art, Computers
June 1994 – Junior Cert exams taken for first time 98% pass rate
October 1994 – 25 trainees (17 Male/8 Female) new subject – Swimming
November 1994 – Appeared on RTE 2 show The Grip from AOEC
October 1995 – 25 trainees (15 Male/10 Female)
November 1995 – Major refurbishment to existing buildings all trainees and staff involved no exams taken.
October 1996 – 25 trainees (16 Male/9 Female)
New subject Music
October 1996 – First overseas tour – Paris
December 1996 – First Christmas music Concert now an annual event.
October 1997 – 25 trainees (15 Male/10 Female)
November 1997 – FAS advocate appointed
March 1998 – Participated in Western Network Youthreach Co-ordinators (WNYC) Art exhibition Eyre Square, Galway
April 1998 – Tour to Paris
October 1998 – 25 Trainees (16 Male/9 Female)
5 Leaving Cert subject added to curriculum
March 1999 – Host WNYC Art exhibition
June 1999 – First Leaving Cert exams taken – 96% pass rate
July 1999 – All Ireland 5 a side Champions (Boys)
September 1999 – Visit Waterpoint Enniscrone for 1st,
Subsequent weekly visits
October 1999 – 25 Trainees (15male/ 10 female)
New subject Recording Techniques
October 1999 – Tour to Barcelona
October 2000 – 25 trainees (17 male/8 females)
Guidance counsellor appointed.
October 2000 – Tour to Barcelona
October 2001 – 40 trainees (26male/14 female)
New subject – Sewing, CSPE
October 2001 – Tour to Rome
April 2002 – Connaught 5 a side champions (Boys)
July 2002 – 10th Anniversary Concert Ridge Pool Hotel, Ballina
July 2002 – 10th Anniversary Quilt made
October 2002 – 40 trainees (25male/15 female)
October 2002 – Tour to Rome and Sorrento
April 2003 – Connaught 5 aside Champions (Boys)
July 2003 – All Ireland 5 aside Champions (Boys)
October 2003 – 40 trainees (18 male/22 female)
New subjects – Metalwork, Welding, SPHE, Driving Lesson
October 2003 – Tour to Paris
April 2004 – Connaught 5 aside Champions (Boys)
July 2004 – Made Replica scaled Ferrari and raced in Ballina
Salmon Festival Go Kart Race.
September 2004 – All Ireland 5 aside Champions (Boys)
October 2004 – 40 trainees (20male/20 female)
New subjects – History, Geography
October 2004 – Tour to Paris
October 2004 – Halloween Concert – Ridgepool Hotel, Ballina
May 2005 – Old shed demolished
All practical subjects suspended re building work
July 2005 – 2 cars raced in Ballina Salmon Festival Go Kart Race
October 2005 – 40 trainees (21male/19 female)
October 2005 – Tour to Barcelona
April 2006 – Connaught 5 aside Champions (Boys)
October 2006 – 40 trainees (20male/20 female)
New subjects – Hairdressing, European Studies
October 2006 – Tour to Barcelona
March 2007 – Host inaugural girls 5 aside competition – Connaught Champions 5 aside champions (boys)
April 2007 – New building opened, practical subjects back on timetable
October 2007 – 40 trainees (19male/21 female)
New subjects – Careers guidance
October 2007 – Centre Inspection – Department of Education & Science
October 2007 – Tour to Paris
October 2007 – Halloween concert- Ridgepool Hotel,Ballina
April 2008 – Connaught 5 aside Champions Boys and Girls
October 2008 – 40 trainees (20 male/20 female)
October 2008 – Staff & Students presented to President Maty McEleese
At the opening of the Mayo Peace Park
October 2009 – Trainees 40 (21male/ 19 female)
October 2009 – Host inaugural 7 aside Football Competition (Boys) Champions
October 2009 – Tour to Paris
July 2010 – Poly tunnel erected
October 2010 – Tour to Paris
June 2011 – Final Leaving Cert exams taken
September 2011 – 40 trainees (24 male/16 female)
First cohort begin to study the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)
October 2011 – Tour to Barcelona
February 2012 – Regional staff Conference – Claremorris
June 2012 – 20th Anniversary Concert, Ridgepool Hotel, Balina
Raised €100 for Irish Red cross
September 2012 – 40 trainees (25male/ 15female)
March 2013 – Connacht 5 aside Champions (Boys)
March 2013 – Youthreach Draft Operators Guidelines published
June 2013 – Coca Cola (Ballina) Assist with garden project
August 2013 – Excellent results. Leaving Cert Applied (first time!)
September 2013 – 40 trainees (25male/15female)
December 2013 – Visit Bord Gais Theatre for a Musical
March 2014 – Connacht 5 aside/7 aside champions (boys)
May 2014 – Visit Road Safety Authority Roadshow
For first time
September 2014 – 40 trainees (16Male/14female)
December 2014 – visit Bord Gais Theatre
December 2014 – Christmas Shopping Trip to Galway
March 2015 – Connacht 5 aside champions (Boys & Girls)
April 2015 – Visit to Mid West Radio
May 2015 – Youthreach Board of Management formed
May 2015 – Mindfullness programme piloted
September 2015 – 40 trainees (26male/14female)
December 2015 – See Mary Poppins The Musical at Bord Gais Theatre, Dublin
January 2016 – Regional Staff working party set up
(To promote Youthreach in the western region)
March 2016 – Connacht 5/7 aside champions (Boys)
Connacht 5 aside champions (girls)
June 2016 – All Ireland 5 aside champions (girls)
September 2016 – 40 trainees (27male/ 13female)
October 2016 – Visit Sligo IT & Sligo CFE open days
January 2017 – Western Region Youthreach Calendar Launched
February 2017 – “The Student matters” Book launched at regional conference
March 2017 – Connacht 5/7 aside champions (Boy)
Connacht 5 aside champions (Girls)
September 2017 – 40 trainees (27 male/13 female)
October 2017 – 25th Anniversary Concert – Ballina Arts Centre
(Photo and report in the ESF newsletter)
December 2017 – “Student Matters” presented to Minister for Education
And Skills, Mr Richard Bruton TD,
(By staff and students) in Dublin
March 2018 – Connacht 5 aside champions (Boys)
Connacht 5 aside champions (Girls)
March 2018 – Staff Training Turlough House Museum
(Generic ETB Code of Conduct)
September 2018 – 40 trainees (20male/ 20 female)
October 2018 – National Youthreach Festival (50 years)
October 2018 – ESRI Youthreach review published
March 2019 – Connacht 5/7 aside Champions (Boys)
Connacht 5 aside Champions (Girls)
June 2019 – All Ireland 5 aside Champions (Girls)
September 2019 – 40 Trainees (20male/ 20 female)
December 2019 – Christmas Concert, Ballina Arts Centre
Raises €1700 for Make a Wish Foundation
March 2020 – Lockdown 1 (Staff and students have to evacuate AOEC)
June 2020 – Predicated grades for LCA and JC
September 2020 – 22 trainees (14male/ 8 female)
January 2021 – Lockdown 2
June 2021 – Accredited Grades – LCA & JC
September 2021 – 20 trainees (11male / 9 female)
