Council Supports Summer Splash Youth Initiative

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: Columba O'Hare; Category: News; Published: 17 August 2023

Young people who took part in the Omeath/Warrenpoint Summer Splash Initiative pictured with Aidan Walsh boxer and winner of the Commonwealth Gold medal and Olympic Bronze medal.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte, Minister of State for the Department of Justice James Browne TD, Head of Local Youth Services Lyndsey Braniff and Senator Erin McGreehan visited the Dolmen Centre in Omeath on Thursday 10 August to meet young people from Omeath and Warrenpoint who were participating in the Summer Splash Youth Initiative.

The Council worked in partnership with the Education Authority (Crotlieve), Omeath District Development CLG -Steering and Sparring Youth Programme to deliver the weeklong programme which is designed to help young people feel safe, through fostering an environment of inclusivity to enable them to become contributors within their communities, rejuvenating their sense of belonging and purpose.

Funding for the Initiative was provided by the Department of Justice Ireland Community Safety Innovation Fund, Newry, Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Community Engagement Department and the Education Authority for the programme.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte pictured with, back from left: Paula Keenan Healthy Louth Co-ordinator, Sean O’Hanlon Director Omeath District Development Association, Maureen Larkin Youth Worker Crotlieve Warrenpoint, Mark Montgomery Commonwealth Bronze medal winner and Knife and Edge Working Aware Programme, Jim Gorman Chairperson of the Holy Family Boxing Club Drogheda, Aidan Walsh boxer and winner of the Commonwealth Gold medal and Olympic Bronze medal, Carie Crawford Area Youth Worker Crotlieve Warrenpoint, John Brady Sergeant Carlingford and Omeath, Garda Fergal Battrim Omeath. Front from left: Senator Erin McGreehan, Helen Thompson Manager Omeath Development Association, Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Brown TD, Members of Omeath District Development Association Tony Clarke and Mark Dearey.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valarie Harte said, “I am delighted to see first-hand the benefits of working with our partners to deliver the Summer Splash Youth Initiative. As part of the programme our young people had the opportunity to meet with Irish boxing champion and Olympic and Commonwealth medallist Aidan Walsh who presented an outdoor training session and motivational talk. Programmes like this make a real difference to our communities and I would like to thank all those involved in delivering the sessions and making this project such a success.”

Education Authority Head of Local Youth Services, Lynsey Branniff said, “The Education Authority is delighted to be involved in this cross-border partnership programme on water safety for young people in the Carlingford Lough area. As a service, we focus our efforts on supporting young people’s learning on the dangers and risks involved. Summer Splash has been a fun-filled week of activities highlighting important safety messages

Ms Branniff continued, “Thanks to our partners Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, the PCSP and colleagues in Omeath District Development Association who collaborated with us on the programme, to ensure positive outcomes for young people.”