KDYS Youth Centre, Killarney
Fairhill, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Tel: 064 6631748
Fax: 064 6636770

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.kdys.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kdys71



              


 

The KDYS Youth Centre, Killarney
 
is a multi-purpose building which houses a variety of Youth Work Projects including Special Projects for Youth, Youth Information Service, Youth Clubs, Drug & Alcohol Support, Youthreach and Youth Diversion Project

 On average approximately 700 people attend the spacious and well-equipped Youth Centre each week

The Centre offers a wide range of activities to a wide range of age groups with something to suit all ages and interests

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KDYS Youth Centre, Killarney
The Story So Far

KEY DATES

•  1999      Franciscan Order gifted their Friary Novitiate Building in Killarney to Kerry Diocesan Youth Service.

•  2001       After 2 years of Phase 1 development work, KDYS begins to operate the landmark building as a new state of   the art Youth & Community Facility.

•  2011        Final payments on the Phase 1 development which cost a total of €3,200,000.

•  NEXT     Repair, renovate and develop the Second & Attic Floors, including the Roof.
   

                                   Requirement      €1,500,000

CONVERSION & RENOVATION





Friday 30^th May 2003 was the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Killarney & South Kerry as the KDYS Youth Centre Killarney officially opened its doors.

For over 140 years the Friary has served as a novitiate for many young men who went on to inspire and support communities in Ireland and throughout the world.

In 1999 the Franciscans handed over the building to the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service so that it may benefit young people today and so, with the aid of a community development committee, KDYS began the task of re-developing the Friary as a dedicated venue for young people.

The task was an enormous undertaking, with Phase 1 costing over €3.2 million, but I am pleased to say the outcome is that Killarney has a facility that is setting the standard for the entire country. The KDYS Youth Centre is seen as the way forward to providing young people with a dedicated, positive Youth venue promoting healthy living in an alcohol and drug free environment.

The KDYS currently offer programmes and services ranging from a dedicated social venue for young people to Full time education and After-schools programmes. The potential is there to do much more in terms of developing programmes, partnership responses and facilities

Franciscan Friars returned to Killarney following an invitation from the Bishop of Kerry, Dr David Moriarty, to erect a friary in Killarney. The Belgian Friars made their way to Killarney, arriving on the 12th July, 1860, led by their new superior Fr. Patrick Verherstraeten. The other members of the little community were Fr. Eustace Princen, Fr. Victor Douterluinge and Brother Lambert Heltzen. Their first lodgings were beside the Church of Ireland at Kenmare Place and they remained there until December of that year.

By December of 1860, the friars had left Kenmare Place and moved into an old house and school owned by the Presentation Brothers in College Street, where the Arbutus Hotel now stands. This school was converted into a small chapel. It is from here that the friars ministered for the next several years until a permanent home was finally acquired.

At last, a suitable site was found for their Friary and Cnocan na gCaorach or Fair Hill. In October 1863 Fr. Patrick purchased the site from Richard Murphy for £400 stg., on a lease of 999 years through a Mr Lyons of Tralee

HISTORY

The title of the present Church links the Friary with its great predecessor, Muckross Abbey, more correctly called Irrelagh (Oir-bhealach, Eastern Way). This old Friary is situated near the shores of Lough Leane in the Killarney National Park, some three miles from the town. It was founded ca. 1448 with the help of the McCarthy Mor family and was the residence of the Friars until 1698, with some interruptions due to their expulsion under Elizabeth I in 1589 and Cromwell in 1652. The final dispersal took place as a result of the Penal Laws which came into effect on 1st May 1698  

The Franciscan Friars returned to Killarney following an invitation from the Bishop of Kerry, Dr David Moriarty, to erect a friary in Killarney. The Belgian Friars made their way to Killarney, arriving on the 12th July, 1860, led by their new superior Fr. Patrick Verherstraeten. The other members of the little community were Fr. Eustace Princen, Fr. Victor Douterluinge and Brother Lambert Heltzen. Their first lodgings were beside the Church of Ireland at Kenmare Place and they remained there until December of that year.

By December of 1860, the friars had left Kenmare Place and moved into an old house and school owned by the Presentation Brothers in College Street, where the Arbutus Hotel now stands. This school was converted into a small chapel. It is from here that the friars ministered for the next several years until a permanent home was finally acquired.

At last, a suitable site was found for their Friary and Cnocan na gCaorach or Fair Hill. In October 1863 Fr. Patrick purchased the site from Richard Murphy for £400 stg., on a lease of 999 years through a Mr Lyons of Tralee 

The following year, the site was cleared for the Friary. Many people from the Killarney district lent a willing hand in digging, excavating, levelling and other needed labour, all without remuneration. During one week, more than two hundred men were engaged in such generous work. The ideal of the preceding years was fast becoming a reality

ARCHITECTURE OF THE FRIARY & KDYS YOUTH CENTRE


 

The architect of the new Friary was Edward Welby Pugin, eldest son of the more famous Augustine Pugin, the architect of Killarney Cathedral. Work soon started and on the feast of St Patrick, 1864, Dr. Moriarty laid the foundation-stone of the Church. The stone, taken from the ruins of Muckross Abbey, was carried through the streets of Killarney by young boys wearing the Franciscan habit, in memory of an old tradition of the way in which the foundation-stone had been laid at Muckross four centuries previously. This procession, in which the Bishop, priests and religious of the area took part, was the first such public religious display in Ireland since the Reformation.

The South Window

The south window, above the organ gallery, is of very beautiful stained glass. It is one of the finest examples of a Clarke studio window, designed by Richard King. Erected in 1930, it depicts the persons of the Holy Trinity, scenes from the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin, and the Stigmatisation of St Francis of Assisi.

The Friary

The Friary itself, where the friars lived was built in different stages. The original west wing was occupied in 1866, while the rest of the building took until 1875 to complete.

The Friary functioned as a novitiate for aspirants to the Franciscan Order since 1872 until 1999.

The Tower

The erection of the tower brought the construction of the Friary to a conclusion. This was designed by Pugin and Ashlin of Dublin. It stands at a height of 43 metres.

The New Build

Sean McGillicuddy of O’Sullivan Campbell Architects oversaw the project of the conservation, conversion and extention of the former living quarters of the Franciscan Friary to for a Youth Centre including Youth Café, Youth Arts Facilities, Educational Facilities and Support Offices.

The contemporary design of the extention represents an appropriate contrast in form, scale and materials to the existing Friary, which is a protected structure.

 THE FUTURE




The KDYS Youth Centre in Killarney is an excellent example of integrated Youth Services serving the needs of the community. Kerry Diocesan Youth Service is continuing to provide opportunities for Young People to fully participate in society through Youth Forum/Dail na nOg, Youth Café, Youth Arts/Clubs/Projects, Second Chance Education programmes & Community Youth Work.

In order to protect the structure of the KDYS Youth Centre/Friary repair and renovation work must be carried out on the presently unused Second and Attic Floors, along with the Roof - this work will cost a total of €1.5 million.

As a protected structure of National Importance (Killarney Town Development Plan 2009-2015), the carrying out of this work will be of enormous value in safeguarding our heritage and protecting our future

YOUTH WORK

KDYS Band Project

    

The Band Project provides an opportunity to musically minded Young People to develop their musical skills and also provides a place for them to express themselves and increase their talents.

The Band Project meets every week in the KDYS Youth Centre on Thursdays from 6pm – 7.30pm

For more information please contact:

Caroline at the KDYS Youth Centre on 064 6631748 or facebook www.facebook.com/kdys71

Fully Equipped Rehearsal Space for Members

A rehearsal space can be booked and equipment is available to practice with.
Practice space rental is €7 per hour for young people.
Rehearsal times have to be booked in advance by members.

 Band Performances

Band and Acoustic Nights are organised every term where local bands and guest bands
from other music projects showcase their musical talents
in front of an audience of adoring fans.

KDYS Chess Club

  

The Chess Club provides an opportunity to Young People to develop logical thinking and problem solving skills,
improve concentration, focus and memory, heightens self-esteem,
develops the ability to foresee future consequences and
most importantly offers hours of free fun for enthusiasts.

The Chess Club meets every week in the KDYS Youth Centre on Wednesdays from 7pm – 8pm

For more information please contact:

Caroline at the KDYS Youth Centre on 064 6631748 or facebook www.facebook.com/kdys71

KDYS Youth Café - Drop In





The KDYS Youth Café offers Young People a safe, alcohol-free place where they can meet friends, have fun and take part in a wide range of activities.   

The Youth Café offers special events throughout the year with a ‘Drop In’ taking place every week

Wednesdays                 3pm – 6pm
Thursdays                    4pm – 6pm

Fridays                       4pm – 10pm

For more information please contact:

Caroline or Bev at the KDYS Youth Centre on 064 6631748 or

facebook www.facebook.com/kdys71

KDYS Circus Skills Project

The KDYS Circus Skills Project offers Young People the opportunity to learn and develop circus skills such as - juggling, spinning plates, diablo and devil sticks.
You can also try mini stilts, unicycle and pedal pushers - with the assistance of our facilitators of course !!!

The emphasis of this project is most definitely on fun !!
Did you know that Juggling reduces stress, improves co-ordination, performance and ability to multi-task
- all while you're having fun !

The Project has become so popular that local organisations e.g. Irish Open, Killarney Looking Good Street Party, are requesting the KDYS Circus Group to entertain the public at these events.

The Circus Project meet every week in the KDYS Youth Centre on
Mondays from 6.00pm – 7.30pm

For more information please contact:

Caroline at the KDYS Youth Centre on 064 6631748 or facebook www.facebook.com/kdys71 

KDYS Film Project

The Film Project offers Young People the opportunity to partake in the production of short films.

The Film Project meet every week in the KDYS Youth Centre on Fridays from 3pm to 5.30pm

For more information please contact:

Caroline at the KDYS Youth Centre on 064 6631748 or facebook www.facebook.com/kdys71

KDYS Graffiti Project 

The Graffiti Project offers Young People the opportunity to have a greater understanding of the culture that is graffiti and a chance for them to express their creativity through this medium.

The Graffiti Project meet for specific projects in the KDYS Youth Centre once a term and the next Project will begin in August

For more information please contact:

Caroline at the KDYS Youth Centre on 064 6631748 or facebook www.facebook.com/kdys71