2020 - 2021
IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
Youth and Education The Youth & Education working group was established in 2003 to promote social, inclusive, personal and education development of young people in Duhallow. It has extensive representation from all relevant youth bodies including Primary and Secondary Schools, Youth Clubs, Youth Organisations and An Garda Siochana.
The Duhallow Youth Feasibility Report is a comprehensive study of the views of young people aged 16-35 in the Duhallow / Lee Valley area.
communications skills, increases self-esteem, builds literacy skills,
Youth Feasibility Study The Youth feasibility study is a LEADER funded, comprehensive examination of the youth and family supports in the Duhallow and Mid Cork area. The report is due to be launched by Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D. in July, it presents one of the most extensive and in-depth sets of studies undertaken among young people in rural Ireland. It represents a significant body of evidence that can serve to inform decision-making and modes of development, not just in Duhallow and the Lee Valley, but in most of rural Europe.
Freemount Youth Space was created with the support of LEADER funding to provide a safe, inclusive space for children and teenagers in the region.
encourages critical thinking, inspires a growth mind-set, teaches children to speak from the heart and gives them a platform to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings. Public speaking is now a form of assessment at Secondary School level and is vital in the working world- conquering this skill early in life gives children a great grounding for future years.
This piece of research involved a comprehensive needs analysis within the region and was undertaken by Dr. Brendan O’Keeffe and Dr. Noreen O’Mahony who conducted two surveys amongst young people aged 1635 within the region.
IRD Duhallow organised the 13th annual Public Speaking event for Primary Schools children across Duhallow. The event took on a changed format due to COVID-19 and the workshops were delivered online. The tutor was Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald who is a National School Principal, as well as an entrepreneur, Dragons’ Den contestant and TEDx Speaker. She developed the LET's Stand (L-Listen, E-Evaluate, T-Talk, S-Stand) Public Speaking Programme curriculum for Primary School children that engages all students actively in an individualised child-centred programme, developing their listening, evaluation and speaking skills in a structured way.
The findings of the survey will allow for the development of future plans and funding applications, particularly in relation to the next LEADER programme 2021-2025. Literacy Support Programme The IRD Duhallow literacy support programme offers targeted supports to children with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Funded through SICAP there are two strands: TTRS (Touch Type Read and Spell) and Literacy Workshops. TTRS is an awardwinning, multi-sensory course that teaches typing, reading and spelling. The content follows word lists from Children were given their TTRS online logins ‘Alpha to Omega’ which is a dyslexia and encouraged to continue to practice friendly approach to spelling devised their TTRS during COVID lockdowns. by Orton Gillingham. During lockdowns, the children were sent their passwords and encouraged to login at home to continue their work.
Over the course of three weekend workshops a safe, supportive environment was created in which all students are enabled, encouraged and empowered to achieve their potential. The closing event saw students from the Cullen, Rathmore, Boherbue and Newmarket areas give inspiring talks on topics that were of importance to them. Parents and teachers heard inspiring presentations on topics such as family history, the value of having pets, cyberbullying and a broad spectrum of other interesting topics.
The literacy workshops consist of small groups of students who undertake specialised classes with teachers focusing on reading, writing, spelling, memory work and sequencing. In addition to this a number of Parent / Teacher support clinics are held throughout the year to give guidance to parents as to how best promote their child’s learning in the home environment. Freemount Youth Space Through LEADER a “Youth Space” was developed within Freemount Community Centre. This space acts as a safe environment for young people, and is open during the week. The Community Centre acts as a central hub for the village of Freemount and this drop in centre is primely located, adjacent to the Heritage Centre, Walk, GAA Pitch and other village amenities.
The children of Newmarket Afterchools enjoying outdoor activities on the hills in the Pitch and Putt on the grounds of the James O Keeffe Institute.
AgriKids According to the Health and Safety Authority farming is the most dangerous occupation in Ireland. On average between 2006 and 2015, 3 children and 18 adults were killed in farm accidents every year. The main causes of fatal accidents are by tractor/machinery, contact with farm machinery and drowning. For this reason, IRD Duhallow organised online
Public Speaking Public speaking is one of the most important, yet dreaded forms of communication. Public speaking helps children improve their
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