Sep 16, 2024 | Get Involved, News & Events
The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) in partnership with the Castleisland Garda Siochana ran their annual soccer tournament at Castleisland’s AFC Georgie O’ Callaghan Pitch, Castleisland on Thursday 18th of July. The event was a great success with record breaking number of teams entering, there was 16 teams with around 160 players taking part. This year there were three categories: Primary School section, under 15’s and under 18’s competition.
The primary school competition had 9 teams taking part. They were put into three groups with top three teams in each group getting into the semi-finals. In the end it came down to a final between ‘The Ramblers’ and ‘The Confidence Killers’. The final was a competitive match with great skill on display with ‘The Ramblers’ winning on a score line of 2-1. The team were delighted to win the trophy and victory brought huge celebrations.
There were 5 teams in this category with each team playing eachother with the top two teams in the final. The Final was between ‘Snackbox FC’ and ‘Sean Griffins’s Boys’ with ‘Snackbox FC’ winning on a scoreline of 2-0. The Georgie O Callaghan cup was presented by his brother James to the winning captain Ajay O Connor.
There were 2 teams in the under 18’s competition. They played eachother twice, and the match was played out in a great spirit and in the end ‘Aidan Joy’s Mafia ’ were victorious beating ‘The Grizzleys’ on a score line of 1-0.
In each competition, there were also awards handed out to individuals for Player of the Tournament. In the Primary game, Dylan O Biren from ‘The Ramblers’ received the award. In the U15’S category Glen O Sullivan from ‘Snackbox FC’ received the award. Maurice Lane from ‘Aidan Joys Mafia’ received the award for the U18’S category. The event was organised by Chris Brosnan and Helena Falvey, Youth Justice Workers, KDYS, alongside Garda Niamh Corkery, Sgt Marcus Twomey and Garda Mike Dwyer. However, the event depends on the support and help of many local volunteers.
The KDYS and Castleisland Garda Siochana would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people:
- Stuart Auctioneers for sponsorship of medals and plaques
- Castleisland AFC for use of Georgie O Callaghan Pitch and special mention to its member James O Callaghan for helping on the night.
- Cian Ring, Jim O Connor and student Garda Kalid who did an outstanding job refereeing the games
- KDYS staff and An Garda Siochana for their help on the night.
Thanks also to all the team organisers, players and everyone else who supported the event. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Aug 21, 2024 | Employment, News & Events
In advance of the Budget, Berni Smyth, CEO of KDYS outlines the need for increased investment in youth work and the priorities identified specifically for the young people and youth services in Kerry.
Youth Work Ireland have produced this handy leaflet. Please use this as a reference if you are talking to politicians and relevant stakeholders about how they can show their support for young people in Budget 2025. Click Below to Read:
YWI Budget 2025
KDYS Pre-Budget 2025 submission August 2024 Final
Jul 4, 2024 | Current Vacancies, News & Events
Our Board is expanding to recruit 5 new non-Executive Directors
ABOUT KDYS:
Founded in 1971, KDYS is a voluntary youth work organisation providing a range of programmes and services to young people and communities across the entire county of Kerry, the Beara Peninsula and the North West Cork region of Duhallow.
KDYS is a registered charity and operates in accordance with the Charity Regulator guidance. KDYS is Governance Code Compliant and was awarded Triple Lock status in January 2024.
Our vision is for all young people to be valued and supported to achieve their full potential as participating members of the community.
Our mission is that KDYS is a community-based youth work organisation committed to serving all young people in a safe, fun and positive environment, through the provision of youth spaces, services, mentoring, training and ongoing opportunities for their holistic development, and by advocating for their needs.
Our goals for 2023 to 2026 are:
- Support young people in Kerry to achieve their full potential
- Provide targeted and integrated supports to meet the needs of young people in Kerry and their families
- Be recognised as a centre of excellence for youth work
- Establish ourselves as an independent young person-centred charity
- Strengthen our governance, management and internal coordination
- Be an organisation that enables staff and volunteers to deliver and develop
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
In line with our goals for 2023 to 2026 we are now planning to strengthen our Board with governance, management and internal coordination.
KYDS is recruiting an additional FOUR new Non-Executive Directors and are seeking a suitable person to take on the role of Chairperson. We are interested in hearing from interested applicants with one or more the following skills:
- Legal
- Marketing and PR
- Governance and Risk
- Community Youth and Family Support skills
- Volunteer/service user representation
- Fundraising and social enterprise
- Human Resources.
New Board members will also be expected to Chair or participate in subcommittees of the Board as required.
ELIGIBILITY
Previous board experience is desirable.
Willingness to work with the KDYS Youth Advisory Group and to take the wishes and views of young people in line with our commitment to youth participation is also a priority for KDYS Board members.
Candidates with local knowledge, previous Board experience and a background working with young people and in the voluntary sector are preferred.
Our goal is to maintain our current 50/50 gender balance.
INFORMATION
The Board meets 9 times per year. Most of these meetings are virtual, the others are held in Killarney or Tralee Co. Kerry. The Board meets in person at least twice a year.
KDYS Board may also call single item/specific purpose meetings and working groups on occasion as needed.
KDYS will provide new Board members induction training and on-going Board development.
The term of office is three years with an option to be reappointed for a second and third term.
This is a Trustee role. In accordance with Regulatory requirements this role is not remunerated. Necessary and vouched expenses are reimbursed following approval by the Board Chairperson.
HOW TO APPLY
Please email a brief CV and cover letter to the following email address: boardrecruitment@kcys.ie
Applications will close on Friday 23rd August 2024.
Please note: KDYS will be appointing a new Chairperson in the near future. Prospective Directors are welcome to indicate an interest in this role in their application.
May 13, 2024 | News & Events
KDYS Youth Information delivers a ‘KDYS Transfer Programme’ to 6th class students across Kerry. The programme aims to support young people in their transition into secondary school.
KDYS have been delivering the KDYS Transfer Programmes to schools across the county for over 15 years and have impacted on more than 35 schools annually since 2021. The programme was researched and produced by KDYS youth workers, utilising both internal and external resources and was reviewed and updated in 2022 by the then 6th class students from several schools across the county. The programme is delivered in a fun, informative and interactive manner.
KDYS Transfer Programme is made up of four sessions delivered weekly using a workbook. . This workbook will remain with the student at the end of the programme. Each session focuses on a different aspect of secondary school. The programme aims to reduce anxiety associated with moving onto second level education. Young people are encouraged to ask questions, to identify their concerns and expectations. To get to know as much as they can about their new school prior to moving in September.
In 2024 KDYS Youth Information introduced a pilot peer education programme, to enable 4th year students to deliver the programme to 6th class students. The programme has been piloted in Castleisland and Killorglin. The Transition Year students in Castleisland Community College and Killorglin Community College have trained to deliver the KDYS Transfer Programme to three primary schools in Castleisland and one primary school in Killorglin.
This programme provides TY students with the opportunity to gain additional skills and to share their knowledge of life in secondary school with 6th class students. The 6th class students in turn get to build positive relationships with the TY students, providing them with a readymade support network when they move into secondary school in September.
For more information regarding the programme, do not hesitate to contact KDYS Youth Information: Anne on 087 7801575 or Shannon on 085 8075996.
annemurphy@kcys.ie or shannonosullivan@kcys.ie
Apr 5, 2024 | Leisure, Sports/Travel, News & Events
What is there to do in Kerry?
Sports/ Clubs & Societies
- (KRSP) Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership Tralee – aims to increase participation in sport and physical activity and, thereby, the creation of a more active, more inclusive, and healthier society. Contact information 066 718 4776 / info@kerryrecreationandsports.ie
- GAA Football clubs in Kerry- https://www.kerrygaa.ie/clubs/
- Visit the Aquadome, an indoor pool with fun slides and water effects. Open 10am-10pm Monday – Friday and 10am-7pm weekends. https://aquadome.ie/
- Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre Open 10am-10pm Monday – Thursday, 10am-9pm Friday and 10am-7pm weekends. https://killarney.coralleisure.ie/
- Tralee Park runs happen every Saturday @9:30am. Take place at Tralee Town Park, Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
There are multiple clubs and societies available in the MTU Munster Technological University. To view clubs https://www.mtu.ie/campus-life/clubs/ and to view societies https://www.mtu.ie/campus-life/societies/.
There are various clubs and societies depending on your interests. If you need more information contact KDYS Youth Information 087 7801575 / 085 8075996.
Entertainment
- Bowling Buddies in Tralee https://bowlingbuddiestralee.com/
- Omniplex Cinema located in Killarney and Tralee
- Killarney Skate Park located beside Killarney Sports and Leisure club.
Adventure
In Kerry we are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful beaches, national parks and hidden gems dotted across the county. For more information visit https://www.discoverkerry.com/
Mar 27, 2024 | News & Events
In Spring 2023 the Listowel Tidy Towns committee approached KDYS youth worker, Edel, looking for help with picking up litter around our town. Young people who attend the KDYS Listowel Youth Café weekly were asked if they would like to help and a group, The Green Beans, was formed.
The group of nine young people regularly helped throughout the spring and summer, litter picking, weeding, maintaining areas and giving ideas how to make the town and the Youth café more environmentally friendly.
Then in the Autumn the group were given the opportunity to start a Youth Climate Justice Project under the guidance of Youth Work Ireland. This project focused on increasing the engagement of young people in climate justice activities through creating an evidenced, manualised programme of developmental group work that would support young people to take a leadership role in climate justice activism.
Throughout the project young people were given the opportunity to take part in team building activities, to learn about climate change, climate action and climate justice.
We also had Norma Keane, from the Truth Be Told Vintage shop speak about sustainable fashion, changing habits when purchasing from fast fashion apps and upcycling old pieces of clothing.
The main piece of the project however was an art mural the young people planned and completed, under the guidance of local artist Amy Sheehy. The aim of this mural was to increase awareness about recycling, the environment and climate change in our lives and the communities in which all participants live in.
Group members Kora and Katie will describe the process of making the mural.
“We then started on the mural and a woman called Amy came in to help us with it. We brainstormed ideas and worked as a team to see what we wanted it to look like. We started by all painting sections on the wall all different colours. We taped off parts of the wall to create a flow through the wall which we thought was cool and unique. Then with recycled cardboard we made stencils of flowers, animals, and different shapes. We then used recycled sponges to paint on and around the stencils. We finished the mural by picking out short effective slogans about the environment and again using stencils, painted them onto the wall. We wanted this wall to represent us, and our group aims. It brought us together and we love seeing people stopping to read it when they are coming in and out of the building.”
In early 2024 The Green Beans met again to plan and prepare their presentation about their involvement in the Youth Climate Justice Project. The launch was held in Youth Work Ireland Dublin, along with their peers from Youth Work Ireland Tipperary and Youth Work Ireland Galway.
The Climate Justice Group Work research conducted by Dr Morgan O’Brien and Majella Finnegan of SETU was launched along with officials from the DCEDIY. The work showed how group work empowers young people to address needs and aspirations around the things that matter to them in their lives – whether that’s big things in the wider world like climate change, or big things taking place in their homes and schools.
