Youth service volunteer army come out in force

Hundreds turned out at the Ennis Youth Centre last week as Clare Youth Service presented Volunteer Recognition Pins to 33 people who are making vital local contributions to young people’s lives in all parts of the county.
Working in clubs, youth cafés and music projects in Ennis, Shannon, Coolmeen, Kilnaboy, Scariff, Inagh, Kilfenora, Sixmilebridge, Moy and Cooraclare, these leaders are part of the youth service’s 350-strong volunteer force.
At the presentation, Síle Lynch of the Clare Youth Service Board said, “Across Clare, these volunteers support our young people by running clubs and projects as well as raising funds and sitting on local and national boards. No award can truly recognise the effort they make so this is a small thankyou and recognition.”
The award scheme is a national one in conjunction with Youth Work Ireland and pins are presented in three categories of gold, silver and bronze, depending on length of service.
There were 14 gold awards in Clare, which require a minimum of 10 years’ service, although many of the recipients have more than 30 years service. Silver pin holders have a minimum of five years’ contribution.
All award holders have completed training and induction courses as well as undergoing Garda vetting. The scheme will continue to recognise other volunteers in future rounds.
Clare Youth Service is a charitable organisation, governed by a voluntary board of directors.
The recipients were: gold – Carmel Tierney, Stevie Malone, Kathleen Rees, Seán Roche and Francis Whelan (Kilnaboy); Fr John O’Keeffe, Bernie Power-Conway and Mary Reidy (Coolmeen); Francis Downes, Raymond Maxwell, Brian Murphy and Noeleen Murphy (Sixmilebridge); Nicky Brennan (Music Project) and Anne Rigney (Inagh).
Silver – Cassie Loughnane and Noelle Tierney (Ennis); Mieke McMahon, Emma Sams and Eva Simons (Fishbowl, Scariff); James Rigney (Inagh); Tom Keane and Janet Cavanagh (Kilfenora); Peter Keane, John Kelly, Mary Malone and Marian Moroney (Kilnaboy); Noel Hayes (Moy); Lorraine Mulcahy (Skyview, Shannon); Sharon Maxwell (Sixmilebridge); Ann Looney (Cooraclare); Brendan Murray (Ennis), Paul Quinn and Shane Dwane (Music Project).