Further progress on No Name Club

A planned Youth Cafe and a mooted No Name Club for Kilcullen would not be in opposition to each other, members of Kilcullen Lions Club heard at a meeting to consider the second facility.



No Name Clubs of Ireland representative Anthony McCormack said both facilities could be ‘complementary’ to each other, as they offer somewhat different things for young people.

“The No Name Clubs are tightly focussed on a segment of teenagers, from 15-18,” he said. “It is also based on having organised events, such as outings and participating in the regional and national events that are part of the organisation. These include table quizzes, our National Youth Awards, and the Super Talent Competition, as well as taking in whatever local opportunities there are in an area.”

The Youth Cafe, which has been a project of Kilcullen Lions for the last two years, is now close to opening, with difficulties over a lease on the Tennis Club building now overcome.

Anthony McCormack, a former National Chairman of the No Name Clubs and now working full time for them, said the possibility of setting up in Kilcullen had received direct support from the local Garda, led by Sergeant Eddie Relihan.

“Garda Joanne O’Sullivan says she is prepared to be directly involved,” he told those present at the latest information meeting. “We have found from experience that the involvement of a garda in clubs is very beneficial.”

He emphasised that sufficient adult volunteers to oversee the activities of such a club are an essential for its creation and continuance. He noted that the national organisation provided training for volunteers, including the mandatory course in child protection.

He also detailed how the club can be funded, noting that each club has to be self-sufficient. VEC club grants, grants for the club’s Health Promotion activities, and local initiatives like bag-packing at supermarkets are all possibilities for funding, he said.

At the moment there are some 42 No Name Clubs affiliated to the national organisation.

A further meeting is planned, at which it is hoped a committee can be formed to progress the idea to an actual club.

Pictured above with Anthony McCormack are Ellen Behan, Claire Walsh and Gail O’Dwyer.

Brian Byrne.

This article originally appeared on the Kilcullen Page of the Kildare Nationalist.