Clonfert Family Centre,
Brackernagh, Ballinasloe.
H53 NX59
June 6th 2026 is a very special day in our club’s evolving story. We were delighted to participate in Ireland’s first ‘Come, Follow Me’ Faith & Fun Clubs’ All-Ireland Bible Quiz and Scavenger Hunt Competition. Our team members and pictured here with teams and mentors from The Claddagh (Galway Diocese), Ballintubber-Ballymoe (Elphin Diocese) and Rathdowney-Cullohill (Ossory diocese).
We salute our club members who took first place in the quiz part of the competition!
A very significant part of this special day was Mass with priest friend of Ireland’s clubs, Fr. Eamonn O’Connor PP, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. During Mass Fr. Eamonn entrusted our club and all ‘Come, Follow Me’ Faith & Fun Clubs to the maternal and loving care of The Immaculate Heart of Mary.
We also enjoyed getting to know young people and mentors from other clubs through some ice-breakers!
Physical distance worked against all qualifying clubs participating this year, e.g. Ardglass, Co. Down (Down & Connor diocese) and Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan (Kilmore diocese). We were very fortunate in so far as the competition was hosted in The Clonfert Centre, Ballinasloe, by St. Grellan’s (Ballinasloe & District) Council of The Knights of St. Columbanus. We thank them for this kind support of all ‘Come, Follow Me’ Faith & Fun Clubs. This picture shows our club leader and knight, John Coughlan, calling the questions.
We are on summer break from 7th June to 31st August.
Ballinasloe ‘Come Follow Me’ Faith & Fun Club had its first meeting on Thursday 11th September 2025 and will resume weekly meetings during the 2026/2027 school year on 10th September 2026.
The club has its roots in our Catholic Faith and is open to all children in 3rd, 4th and 5th class, and children between the ages of 8 and 11 years who are being home-schooled.
The club’s primary objective is to support participating children develop their personal relationship with God in age-appropriate, friendly and fun ways.
* bible story exploration which includes singing, listening, talking together and praying
Background
Our club is modelled on similar clubs that have been running in France for more than thirty years. We are also part of an emerging group of Faith and Fun clubs in Ireland. For example, similar clubs are being established in Ballintubber, Croghan, Oran and Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, in Swinford, Co. Mayo, and clubs are already up and running in Moycullen and Galway city and Rathdowney, Co. Laois.
Why ‘Come, Follow Me’ over other programmes?
- It is very child-friendly
- Children learn a lot
- It complements the ‘Grow in Love’ Religious Education programme approved for use in Catholic Schools
- It is adaptable and weekly sessions can be run in less than an hour
- It supports the children get to know one another
- It can be used with very small groups, as well as groups of up to thirty children
- It seeks to foster a personal relationship between each participating child / adult and God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Our Lady, the Saints and the Church.
- It uses visual aids that appeal to children
- It is sensitive regarding children’s reading difficulties
- Parents / Guardians are welcome to remain in the room while the children engage.
Like all great programmes, it does not try to do everything. For example, it does not seek to prepare children to receive any sacrament. The preparation of children for the sacraments will remain the responsibility of parents, supported by teachers in our Catholic schools and parishes.
Future Meetings & Enrolment
The venue for all meetings, bar special prayer services, is:
The Clonfert Family Centre,
John Dunne Ave.,
Brackernagh,
Ballinasloe,
H53 NX59.
We strongly encourage children to join us initially on a ‘come and see’ basis, and we request that a parent, grandparent or another trusted adult family member accompany them until they choose to come on their own.
Interested?
If you are interested ,or would like to know more, please contact any of the following Club Leaders:
- Anne Burke
087 690 6199 - John Coughlan
086 8600987 - Justin Harkin *
087 6171526 - Fr John Garvey
0909643916
* Please contact Justin if you would like to be added to the club’s WhatsApp Group. This is our means of keeping in contact with parents and guardians.
Related Costs
Should your child decide to join, leaders would appreciate a contribution of €10 toward art and craft materials and a donation of €2 per session, i.e. to meet light and heat costs.
Parents / Guardians will also be invited to contribute toward costs associated with special events, e.g. Christmas outing, all of which will be optional.
Request
Prayers asking God’s blessing on the club would also be appreciated. Thank you.
Updated: 29th May 2026.