Youthwork

Why has the community of Garryowen been left without a community centre? It is almost certainly the only community of its size and age in all of Ireland without such a facility.

“I am from the area and I work with over 60 young people from the area. These young people are crying out for a community centre.” - Youth worker, Jonathan Collins

“The violence and anti-social behaviour that was endemic in Garryowen last summer stands as a bleak testament to the need for substantial investment in community space and community services” - John Buttery, Garryowen Community Development Project co-ordinator.

Humour should be recognised by academia as a tool in non-formal education settings and for engaging youth. It should be part of the curriculum on courses purporting to teach youthwork and related subjects, say the organisers of a comedy festival with a difference, held in June.