History Continued

Leisure and Recreation

From the very start of Youthreach sport has played a big part in our curriculum. We started with swimming in 1995 and went to Claremorris Pool and Gym every week. This has continued right through to the present. Indoor soccer training has been held in Barnacaroll Sports Hall from 1995 to 2006. We changed the venue after this to the sports hall in Swinford. Ecery year we participate in the Connaught Regional Finals for Youthreach and we have regular tournaments with our feloow Youthreach centres. In 2000 we participated in a seven-a-side Gaelic Football tournament league with other centres. This gave our students the opportunity to visit other centres and play on local GAA pitches. Every year since 1996 we have gone on an outdoor pursuits trip. We do this twice a year mostly to Achill Outdoor Adventure Centre but we have also visited Delphi. There is always and overnight or two night stay and this has always been very enjoyable for both students and staff. Students get a chance to go surfing, canoeing, rock climbing, bog walking and many more activities.

Trips
Every year the centre organises the students to go various trips, both far and near. This would include trips to: Building exhibitions, Foreign Tours, Outdoor Adventure Centres, Shopping trips to different cities, Hair and Beauty Day in Galway, Soccer Tournaments, Go Karting, Bowling and trips to Museums and Colleges.

Events Over The Last 13 Years

Many different events have occurred over the last thirteen years. Here is a flavour of some of those events

-1998: Staff and students held \ sponsored all-day soccer tournament in aid of Telethon. They raised a lot of money and it proved to be a very enjoyable day with everyone getting involved.

-2000: The centre honoured one of its students Michael Mullaney who won an All-Ireland Junior Gold Medal in Boxing. Conor O’Reilly made a presentation on behalf of the centre to Michael. Guests included Joe Langan CEO, Frank Chambers Chairperson Mayo VEC, Joe Charles Boxing Coach and Michael’s parents, family and friends.
-2001: Peter Flanagan and Bernie Rice produced a video of the centre for promotional purposes. A lot of work went into this and the outcome was very professional. All our students got involved in its making and the music that was used with it added greatly to the production.
-2004: the welding class under Donald O’Brien constructed a go kart. This was entered in a race in the Ballina Festival and the efforts did not let us down. The driver of the go kart was Chris Doyle assisted by Glen Osborne.
-2006: The centre in partnership with CDP and Mayo Refugee Centre engaged in an art and drama with the local asylum seekers in Kiltimagh. The end result was the production of a DVD which was shown in the Linenhall in Castlebar with all participants involved present.
-Staff Outings: staff outings have been a feature of the centre over the years. We have gone playing golf, bowling, to the races, had meals together and taken trips to the museums. We have always tried to meet together at Christmas and at the end of the school year as some staff would not see much of each other during school times due to timetabling.
-Sam Maguire came to the centre in 2001 courtesy of Murt Dunleavy, a Galway man who taught metalwork for the local secondary school. This will not be let happen again unless the green and red colours are on the cup! We also had the Ladies All Ireland Cup in the centre, this time the correct colours!