IRD Duhallow Progress Jun 21/22.qxp_Layout 1 21/07/2022 12:54 Page 41
IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
2020 - 2021
Youth and Education
Cllr Gearoid Murphy, Dr. Rory O Donnell, Michael Moynihan TD, Minister for Education Norma Foley, Maura Walsh CEO of IRD Duhallow, along with Board Members; Anne Maria Bourke and Michael Twohig at the launch of the Youth Needs Analysis Report.
carry out CPR and deal with choking. The class was practical, with lots of fun and the young people went away with the confidence in dealing with accidents if necessary. Apprenticeship Preparation Course The Apprenticeship Preparation Course was delivered online and gave young people everything they need to succeed at the selection tests and interviews used in a variety of apprenticeship competitions like the ESB, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Aer Lingus, Altantice Aviation Group, eir etc. Young people gained transferable skills and interview skills that they can use for any job application. After completion of the course participants have access to an e-learning platform for 12 months where they can continue to practice for the apprenticeship competitions. Webinar: Supporting Children with Dyslexia At Second Level Many parents of students with dyslexia struggle to know how to support the student at second level as the challenges are different to those experienced at primary level and the present Covid crisis has exacerbated this. This Webinar gave practical help and advice to parents of second level students and also parents of 5th and 6th class children. The topics addressed included: how dyslexia affects the student at second level, key educational choices such as subject choice, language exemptions etc., resources such as useful websites, and ways to support the student in the following areas such as organisation, note taking, memory and learning, reading, writing, spelling and vocabulary.
Dr. Brendan O’Keeffe presenting his findings from the Duhallow Youth Feasibility Study report at its official launch in the James O’Keeffe Institute.
Circus Workshops IRD Duhallow was successful in an application to Cork County Council Arts Grant and received part funding for Circus Skills Workshops. IRD Duhallow’s Afterschools and STRIVE programme participated in 6 weeks of Circus Skills Workshops from two Cork circus companiesAlchemy Arts and the Circus Factory. The workshops opened children's and young adult’s minds to very different art forms to what is normally on offer locally. In rural Duhallow often GAA is the only social outlet for many of our young people; these new experiences and different art forms have hopefully inspired them to develop an interest in arts in their community.
Launch of Youth Feasibility Study The Youth feasibility Study, was funded through LEADER and allowed IRD Duhallow to commission the GESERA Institute of Action, to carry out a comprehensive needs analysis of young people aged 16-35 across the Duhallow and Lee Valley areas. IRD Duhallow was delighted to welcome Minister for Education Norma Foley in July 2021 to officially launch this extensive and in-depth Dr. Rory O’Donnell who wrote the preface for the report with Dr Rory O Youth Feasibility Report presenting at its official Donnell (who wrote the launch. foreword), Dr Brendan O Keeffe, Maura Walsh and Anne Marie Bourke also presenting the report and it’s findings. This research represents one of the most extensive and in-depth studies undertaken among young people in rural Ireland.
The Afterschools children enjoying the Circus Workshops with Will Flanagan of Alchemy Arts. This was part funded by the Cork County Council Arts Fund.
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