Significant investment delivers new youth club at Buncrana’s Plaza

Buncrana is set to welcome a major new community facility as a state-of-the-art youth club nears completion on the ground floor of the Plaza community building on the town’s Upper Main Street.

Following eight months of focused construction work after a devastating fire destroyed the original premises, the youth club project is now entering its final phase. 

The redevelopment has been made possible through the personal investment of local businessman Christopher Flanagan.

The new facility is expected to open later this year and will provide a modern, welcoming space designed specifically for young people in the Buncrana area.

One of the central aims of the youth club is to offer a warm, safe and inclusive environment where young people can meet, socialise and engage in positive activities.

In recent years, parents and community groups have highlighted the lack of facilities for young people whose interests extend beyond sport. 

This project seeks to address that gap by creating a space that encourages young people to leave their bedrooms, connect with their peers and take part in shared activities — while still enjoying the digital entertainment and hobbies that are part of modern youth culture.

The youth club will further strengthen the Plaza community building’s role as a central hub for the town. It will complement the already established small hall within the Plaza, which can accommodate up to 300 people and is regularly used for community events, meetings and local functions.

Together, the facilities will provide Buncrana with a flexible, modern venue offering both youth-focused services and a large, accessible space for wider community use — all located in the heart of the town.

READ NEXT: Cinderella returns as Buncrana Pantomime turns 50

The club has been designed with year-round use in mind, particularly during the winter months when outdoor options are limited. Comfort, safety and accessibility have been central to the planning of the facility.

Facilities include a virtual golf simulator, a PlayStation club with 55” plasma televisions, leather recliner seating, a gamer PC hub, a pool table hall, a dedicated games zone, a youth conference hall with a 100” plasma screen and whiteboard, a music hub, a piano café featuring Buncrana’s first fully perspex piano, 1,000Mb fibre broadband, a modern CCTV security system, and renewable underfloor heating throughout.

A standout feature of the development is the piano café, which is designed to serve as the social heart of the youth club. The café will provide a supervised, welcoming space where young people can relax, meet friends and enjoy hot food, sandwiches and refreshments in a community-focused setting.

One of the central aims of the youth club is to offer a warm, safe and inclusive environment where young people can meet, socialise and engage in positive activities

As preparations continue towards the 2026 opening, there is a strong sense of excitement and optimism around the project.

Significant personal investment, careful planning and a shared vision for supporting Buncrana’s young people have all played a role in bringing the facility to life. The completed youth club will offer a modern, dynamic space in the heart of the town — a place young people can truly call their own.

Christopher Flanagan is currently inviting expressions of interest from individuals or organisations interested in operating the café. This represents an excellent opportunity for a local business person, entrepreneur or social enterprise to become part of a positive and lasting community initiative.

In addition, applications are being sought for an experienced, energetic “full-time youth worker” to manage the day-to-day operation of the youth club and its associated activities.

Anyone interested in learning more, discussing requirements or expressing interest in either role is encouraged to get in touch on 087 4063320 or email at plazayouthclub@gmail.com.