Cathedral Youth Club outing

According to youth club co-ordinator, Jeanette Warke, young delegates had initially been reticent about making the trek across the border, but their positive reaction to the reception they received completely altered their perceptions.

“We took them away on an educational trip to try and break down negative perceptions and they had an absolute ball,” she said.

“They met TD Eric Byrne at Leinster House in Dublin and learned about Dail Eireann. The trip was titled ‘Know Your Parliament’ and they also visited Aras An Uachtarain, home of the Irish President and their host in Dublin was Councillor Vincent Jackson, a long time friend of Cathedral Youth Club, who is also a former Mayor of Dublin.

“We visited Kilmainham Gaol which held some of the most famous political and military leaders in Irish History and the young people also were guests at The Guildhall, London, where they had a conducted tour and visited London Museum and Art Gallery and the Tower of London.

“They were overawed by the reception they received and any preconceived fears or thoughts they had were completely altered. They said they would love to go back to the south, they loved it so much.”