New Foróige centre opens in Nenagh
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Brian Dunne and Mary McLoughney (both Tipperary County Council) at the official opening of the new Foróige centre in Nenagh. PHOTOS: BRIDGET DELANEY BRIDGET DELANEYImage 2 of 4
Foróige staff at the launch of their new centre (from left): Mark O’Dwyer, Aideen Nealon, Serena Orr, Bríd Canny and Anthony O’Connor. BRIDGET DELANEYImage 3 of 4
Foróige volunteers with national Foróige Chairperson Barbara Daly at the official opening of their centre at Banba Square, Nenagh, on Thursday, July 1 (from left): Patrick Ryan, Mick Whelan, Frances Hassett, Barbara Daly, Matt Finch and Jane Seymour. BRIDGET DELANEYImage 4 of 4
Pictured at the official opening of the Foróige centre at Banba Square, Nenagh, on Thursday, July 1 are (from left) Rosemary Joyce (Tipperary County Council), Pauline Mogen (Tipperary ETB), Matt Finch (Foróige volunteer), Eve O’Carroll (Foróige member), Amy Lombard (Foróige member, cutting the tape), Barbara Daly (Foróige National Chairperson) and Inspector Amanda Reynolds (Nenagh Garda Station). BRIDGET DELANEYDescribed as a “milestone” occasion by the organisation's national chairperson, the ribbon was cut on a new base for Forógie in Nenagh last Thursday.
The youth services group has moved from the Town Hall to the former motor tax office on Banba Square. This new centre will serve as a base for nine Foróige staff members and five volunteer-led clubs.
It will facilitate the ‘Big Brother’/’Big Sister’ programme, which is aimed at forming supportive friendships for young people, as well as the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, which was established in Nenagh in 2016 and serves to prevent young people from entering into the criminal justice system. The ‘UBU’ youth project, facilitated by Tipperary Education and Training Board and running in Nenagh since 2005, will also be based at the new Banba Square centre, which in addition contains office space for staff, including a national Comháirle na nÓg office.
Decked out with artwork created by local young people, the new centre was formally launched last Thursday. Foróige Area Manager Eric O'Brien, who said the dedicated space in the heart of town has been a long time awaited. Its opening was made possible by the hard work and dedication of a lot of people.
Among those thanked were members of Tipperary ETB, Youth Officers Lisa Kavanagh and Lorraine Dwane, local gardaí, and in particular Juveline Liaison Officer Deirdre Darcy. Mr O'Brien also thanked Tipperary Co Council for sharing in the Foróige vision and commitment, and for providing the group with a building that would be used by young people for generations to come.
Council officer Brian Dunne was praised by both Mr O'Brien and Foróige Chairperson Barbara Daly for his involvement in getting the vibrant centre up and running. Ms Daly referred to the opening day as an “auspicious” event for the organisation. She too spoke of the the event as being the culmination of a long-held vision that is now a new begnning for the young people of Nenagh and wider north Tipperary area.
Ms Daly commended the role of Garda Inspector Amanda Reynolds and Youth Participation Officer Mark O'Dwyer, and that of all the staff members of Foróige in the area for their persistence. The pandemic had created havoc for everyone and the need for youth clubs is more evident now than it ever was, Ms Daly added.
Those gathered outside the centre also heard from local young people who have availed of Foróige's services. A second launch for young people was held at the centre on Friday.