Donegal Youth Service awards celebrate 'joy and enthusiasm of young people'

The Donegal Youth Service annual celebration night took place at the An Grianan Theatre after a three-year absence due to the pandemic.

The celebration night was an opportunity to highlight the fantastic work of the Donegal Youth Service, who work tirelessly all year to support young people throughout the county. The night was a tremendous success with a full house and over 300 young people in attendance. 

The atmosphere was electric as the audience all started dancing in a spontaneous eruption of joy and enthusiasm when the Ceolan School of Music from Inishowen got into their full stride.

Charlene Logue, Line manager, Aspire; Steven O'Donnell, DYS Volunteer of the year; Hannah Toye, Creeslough YC; Donal Kelly, Mayor of Letterkenny; Caitlin Coyle, club Oige Chriost Ri; Maria Coyle-Youth CluVolunteer of the year, club Oige Chriost Ri

Davin Crawford pictured below was a very popular winner of the Young Person of the Year award. Davin was the host for the night and his easy going manner proved very popular with the young audience members.

Davin Crawford young person of the year, Mayor Mandy Kelly, Lorraine Thompson RD

Grace Collett from the Creeslough Youth Club gave a beautiful performance alongside Marigold who performed for the very first time on stage.

Grace Collett Creeslough Youth Club

Ella Fitzgerald from Falcarragh gave a powerful vocal performance and local young band the Ephades opened the show with aplomb. Maria Coyle won Youth Club volunteer of the year alongside Hannah Toye from the Creeslough Youth Club who was honoured for her brave and selfless actions following the Creeslough tragedy.

The voluntary spirit at the heart of the work of Donegal Youth Service was evident with Youth Clubs from Magheroarty, Moyne Donegal Town and Inishowen all present on the night. Stephen O’Donnell was a very popular winner of the DAYS volunteer of the Year award.

Hannah Toye, Creeslough YC

Lorraine Thompson the Regional Director of the Donegal Youth Service was full of pride following the event: “It's just so wonderful to celebrate the work of Donegal Youth Service and to see the joy and enthusiasm of all the young people”