CONSTRUCTION work commenced today on another exciting phase in the provision of innovative youth programmes with a new eurOg centre being developed at the flagship Kerry Diocesan Youth Service base.
The centre was awarded the European Youth Centre Quality Label by the Council of Europe in 2017, becoming the only youth centre in Ireland to receive the accolade and one of only 13 in the 47 member countries.
The building works taking place in eurOg will see the addition of an accommodation unit – STAY@eurOg – in the KDYS Centre which is located on the grounds of the Franciscan Friary. This new wing will create exciting new opportunities for young people from all over Ireland and abroad to come and stay in Killarney with 47 beds available along with a range of state-of-the-art workshop rooms and meeting spaces.
An onsite coffee shop will be open for the public and the centre will continue to facilitate a range of activities for the wider community of Killarney.
The eurOg centre operates as a social enterprise and all proceeds are used to further develop the facility and services for young people in the area.
CEO Tim O’Donoghue said everybody is delighted to see the service being expanded as it will connect many young people locally to opportunities across Europe and for continental based young Europeans to visit Killarney.
“It will also create possibilities for young people in youth clubs around the county to come and enjoy Killarney as part of their annual programme,” said Tim.
The accommodation will cater for groups travelling with leaders, coming to participate in a variety of programmes aimed at the development of young people in a fun and interactive way.
eurOg will act as a bridge to the many initiatives available to young people as citizens of Europe.
In late October the Council of Europe expert team will visit Killarney to reassess the centre with a view to renewing the European Youth Centre Quality Label for a further five years.
“The Council of Europe members are very impressed with the work of the KDYS and recognise the powerful community support that ensures that our young people benefit from a high quality youth service in their area,” Tim O’Donoghue added.
“We are very proud that a Kerry organisation is leading the way with these high standards on a national and international stage”.
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