Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club
Next Event
7 – 9.30 pm
Thursday June 12th
Annual June Mass & Social Get-Together which includes opportunity for enrolment as a Young Pioneer and Renewal of Pledge for Youth Club members
St. Michael’s Church
*H53 CVo5)
&
Emerald Ballroom
(H53 F582)
Ballinasloe.
Interested in joining our club?
Our club is open to all young people between the ages of ten and seventeen years in the greater Ballinasloe area who are open to becoming Young Pioneers. Currently we have thirteen members and three young people who are with us on ‘a come and see basis’.
We meet fortnightly, usually on a Friday evening in The Clonfert Family Centre, Brackernagh, Ballinasloe. Sometimes our fortnightly time and /or venue changes owing to a special event, e.g. Cinema Outing, Drumming Workshop etc.
Adult Leaders request that new members be accompanied by an adult family member for their first two meetings … and for longer if that is the preference of each young person.
For contact details for adult leaders please see end of this page.
Regular Meeting Activities
- Welcome newcomers
- Scripture story enquiry & prayer
- Workshop with guest, educational activity and /or planning of / preparation for a forthcoming event, e.g. next outing
- Game time (most of the meeting)
Photos from our meetings, workshops, outings etc. August ’24 – June ’25
Friday 30th May
Bowling Night Out in Athlone!
Thanks to everyone who participated, and especially to our parent and leader drivers!
Thursday 9th May
The 2025 Galway Gardai Divisional Youth Awards
Our club representatives receiving the club’s Merit Award from George Osborne, Regional Manager Supervalu and Chief Inspector Gerard Roche.
Our thanks to Garda Michael Dolan and Inspector Tom Waters for celebrating with us!
Our sincere thanks to an Garda Síochána and Supervalu for our club’s inclusion in The 2025 Galway Gardai Divisional Youth Awards at Ballybrit Racecourse, May 9th 2025. Thanks too to Francis, Aisling, Matthew, Sophia and Daniel for representing all club members.
2nd May
First Aid Workshop with Damien Farrell
Our thanks to Damien for another wonderful workshop. We learned alot about to help should we encounter a person who has difficulty breathing, is bleeding or has possibly fractured or broken a bone.
18th April (Good Friday)
Taizé Prayer Around the Cross with Family and Friends
Thanks to everyone who contributed to our collection for Trócaire. €326.00 raised.
10th April (Thursday)
Clubs & Schools’ Quiz Night & Art Competition Prize-giving
Congratulations to these budding artists from Scoil Uí Cheithearnaigh, Gaelscoil, Ballinasloe, on winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in the PTAA Clonfert Council’s Children’s Art Competition 2025. They are accompanied here (left to right) by Damien Farrell (PTAA Clonfert Council and competition organiser), Rachel Ní Shiúlaí (Priomhoide), family members and Francis Donohoe (PTAA Clonfert Council).
Our club was delighted to participate in the PTAA Clonfert Council’s Schools’ & Youth Clubs 2025 Quiz Competitions and to be present at their Art competition prize-giving ceremony in The Emerald Ballroom, Ballinasloe. A lovely night was had by all.
3rd April – Parent / Guardian Outreach
Alcohol and Drug Mis-use Awareness Workshop for parents and guardians, Emerald Ballroom, Ballinasloe.
John Harney (St. Grellan’s Council, Knights of St. Columbanus), Regina Goode (Ballinasloe & Creagh, parent), Darren Butler (National Co-ordinator, Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative), Sean Kelly (Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Youth Club), Fr. John Garvey PP (representing clergy of Ballinasloe Faith Community Area), Francis Donohue (Pioneer Council, Clonfert Diocese) and Brenda Dolan (Aughrim, parent) at the Ballinasloe Faith Community Area’s Confirmation Drugs Awareness Evening for parents and guardians of children in 5th and 6th class. This very informative event was kindly sponsored by Ballinasloe Credit Union and supported by our Adult Club Leaders.
Darren sharing his expertise.
Club Volunteer, Francis Donohue and our club’s good friend, John Harney, taking care of hospitality
Our final picture shows Club Leader, Sean Kelly, as he introduced our club to the Gathering. Thank you Sean!
21st March
Drama Workshop with Mary Rose Finlan
Very grateful to Mary Rose for another wonderful drama workshop full of fun and wonder for youth club members and leaders alike.
21st February
Quiz Night with Victoria Staunton
Thanks to Victoria Staunton (parent) for organising a lovely quiz night which was very enjoyable. We were also delighted to welcome some new Young Pioneers and their adult family members who joined us on a ‘come-and-see’ basis.
15th February (Retreat)
Connaught Young Pioneer Retreat Day
Each year we participate in a retreat that is also open to other Young Pioneers. This year we returned to Donamon Castle, Donamon, Co. Roscommon, where we received a warm welcome from the Divine Word Missionary priests who live there, and from Sr Cooey Fowler OP, from the New Forest Region of Portsmouth Diocese in England.
Our thanks to Sr Cooey and to Fr Bart Parys SVD for a lovely retreat experience.
24th January
St Brigid Cross Workshop with Sean Kelly
– Making St Brigid Crosses with Sean Kelly as fundraiser for Ballinasloe Social Services
14th January
Safeguarding Training Evening
Our thanks to Gerry Prior, Foróige’s Galway Regional Officer (seated, centre), for two training sessions, the first pertaining to Foróige and Youth Clubs, and the second pertaining to Safeguarding (accredited training). This picture was taken following our Safegarding sessions.
20th December
Christmas Mass and Social Get Together
Thanks to Frs John Naughton (Pioneer Spiritual Director) and John Garvey for presiding at Mass.
We were also glad to be joined by family members, adult pioneers and members of other Church groups, e.g. Knights of St. Columbanus and St. Vincent de Paul.
6th December
Advent and Christmas Wreath Making Workshop and preparations for Christmas Mass and party
28th November
Leader’s Annual Review Evening
Our Adult Club Leaders, Auriene, Elizabeth, Sean, Josephine, and Justin (behind camera) met with facilitator Kevin McGeeney to review the year and to discuss how best to support us grow the club next year.
8th November
Drumming Workshop
25th October
Pioneer Witness Workshop with Mrs Frances Egan, PTAA President.
We welcomed our president, Mrs Frances Egan, and enjoyed a Pioneer Witness Workshop with her , and with some of the adult volunteers who support our club.
11th October (Outing)
Ballinasloe Cinema Outing.
We went to see Transformers One, after a trip to Supermacs!
Our adult leaders and some of our parents enjoyed the outing too!
30th August
Pioneer Youth Achievement Awards 2023/2024 Celebration
We received our 2023/2024 Pioneer Youth Achievement Awards and celebrated our good work throughout the year. We also presented a special award to our ‘Dad of the Year’, Damien Staunton. Special thanks to Mrs Sheila Walsh for presenting the awards to us.
Club Youth Achievement Awards 2024/2025
OUR 2023-2024 PHOTO GALLERY
Club’s Summer Outing 13th August 2024
Our first Summer outing took place incorporated a visit to St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Athlone, a trip on a Viking Boat from Athlone to Clonmacnois, a visit to the monastic ruins of Clonmacnois and related audio-visual presentation, visits to Eddie Rockets and Athlone Castle. We are grateful to everyone who assisted and supported us.
Irish Red Cross Basic First Aid Training, Friday 26th April 2024
We are most grateful to Damien Farrell, Irish Red Cross, for providing a wonderful Basic First Aid course to Youth Club members.
2024 Retreat Day with Young Pioneers of Clonfert and Elphin Dioceses
Saturday 6th April 2024
We had a wonderful retreat day in Donamon Castle, Donamon, Co. Roscommon. Our thanks to Sr Kathryn Press ASCJ, Bishop Kevin Doran (Elphin Diocese) and Fr. George Agger SVD and confreres, Divine Word Missionary Community, Donamon Castle, for giving of their time and expertise.
This was a very new experience for many of us … our first experience of a retreat day. We enjoyed Sr. Kathryn’s games, scavenger hunt, inputs and discussion questions. The retreat offered us lovely opportunities to speak to God and to listen to God and also to grow in friendship with one another.
We also enjoyed sharing our lunch and break times and celebrating Mass with Bishop Kevin and Fr. George.
Here are some pictures from our time together.
PTAA (Clonfert Diocese) Schools’ and Clubs’ Quiz Competitions 21st March 2024
After a break of many years the PTAA Clonfert Diocesan Council hosted diocesan-wide quiz competitions that were open to all Primary Schools, Youth and Sporting Clubs, including Pioneers, GAA, Camogie and Foroige in The Emerald Ballroom, Ballinasloe, on Thursday 21st March. Our club was delighted to take part and enjoyed participating with teams representing schools and other clubs from around the diocese.
Winners 2024
Club Winners 2024
School Winners 2024
Results:
Diocesan Schools’ Competition
First – Scoil Uí Cheithearnaigh, Bháel Átha Na Slua Foireann 1
Second – St. Kerrill’s NS, Gurteen
Third – Creagh NS, Ballinasloe Team 1
Fourth – Newtown NS, Ballinasloe
Ballinasloe Faith Area Competition
First – Creagh NS, Ballinasloe Team 2
Second – Scoil Uí Cheithearnaigh, Bháel Átha Na Slua Foireann 2
Third- First – St Catherine’s NS Aughrim
Clubs’ Competition
First – Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Club Team 1
Second – Padraig Pearses GAA Club, Woodmount, Ballinasloe
Third – Ballinasloe & District Pioneer Club Team 2
Club Bowling Night Out 15th March 2024
Christmas Celebration Dec. 15th 2023
October 2023 Outing
On Saturday 21st October we went to Galway to see the play ‘The Boy who lived with Dogs in the Blackbox Theatre, visited Galway Cathedral and dropped into the Galway Arts Centre to see an exhibition called ‘I see you like this.’ We are delighted to share the following photos from our outing.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to our day, especially the volunteers and artists of the Babaro Arts Festival.
Recalling our PTAA ‘2023 Begin Again’ Moment
Fr. Robert McCabe, PTAA Central Spiritual Director (left), Bishop Michael Duignan (Clonfert & Galway dioceses) and Mr. Francis Donohue (Abbey-Duniry & PTAA Clonfert Diocesan Council ) pictured with members of Ballinasloe Pioneer Centre during a social gathering in Gullane’s Hotel, Ballinasloe, to formally welcome the forty-two young people of parishes of the Clonfert diocese who enrolled as Young Pioneers during a special Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe, on 16th June (Feast of the Sacred Heart) 2023. Adults seated (left to right): Ms Sheila Walsh (Ballinasloe PTAA Secretary), Justin Harkin (Ballinasloe PTAA Youth Co-ordinator), Ms Agnes Duignan (Ballinasloe PTAA Chairperson), Ms Ann Downey and Elizabeth Campbell (Ballinasloe Centre members).
Frequency of Meetings / Other Activities
Our club normally meets every second Friday evening, usally 8 – 9.15 pm, with extended break at Christmas and during July and August.
there are also occasions when we undertake special workshops etc. and the timing of these are determined by the availability of the person who is helping us.
Young Pioneer Daily Prayer & Pledge
Lord, for your sake,
for the recovery of problem drinkers
and victims of substance abuse,
to make amends to your Sacred Heart
for the intemperance in all our lives,
I promise not to take alcoholic drink
until I am at least 18 and
to keep off drugs for life. Amen.
Club Membership
Reserved to Young Pioneers between the ages of ten and seventeen years who reside in the Greater Ballinasloe area.
The club can facilitate eigheen junior (10 – 13 years / 5th Class to First Year) and 18 senior (14-17 years / Second Year to Fifth Year). Currently (23rd April 2025) we have thirteen members.
Young Pioneers are welcome on a come-and-see basis. Parents /guardians must have a brief in-person meeting / telephone conversation with a Club Leader in advance of their participation in a club meeting or activity, and are strongly encouraged to participate in this and subsequent meetings.
Please contact Justin (contact details below) if no Club Leader is personally known to you.
Adult Leaders
Youth (Activities & Membership) Co-ordinator
Justin Harkin
087 6171526
/ pioneers@creideamh.ie
Safeguarding Officer
Sean Kelly
086 1647970
Parent Representatives
Auriene Nascemento
Angela Somers
Supervision & Care
Ms Josephine Carroll
Ms Elizabeth Campbell
Ms Ann Gately
Important Documents
The following documents are available via email or WhatsApp in Word and PDF format. They can also be acquired before or after any club meeting.
- Application Form
- Club Members’ Code of Behaviour
- Adult Leaders’ and Volunteers’ Code of Behaviour
- Safeguarding Statement
Young Pioneer Registration
Parents / guardians of Young Pioneers between the ages of ten and seventeen years living in the dioceses of Clonfert and Elphin are welcome to register their child in our Young Pioneer Database.
Registration ensures inclusion in a texting service that shares details of Pioneer activities.
Completed forms should be forwarded to:
PTAA Clonfert Diocesan Council
c/o Justin Harkin
Clonfert Family Centre
Brakernagh,
Ballinasloe,
Galway.
H53 NX59
pioneers@creideamh.ie
087 6171526
Oversight / Governance
From September 2023 to April 2025 Club Leaders, with parental support, evolved the club under the supportive and watchful gaze of the PTAA Clonfert Diocesan Council and with financial and other (e.g. access to venues) assistance from Ballinasloe-Creagh parish, The Clonfert Diocese, St. Grellan’s Council of The Order of the Knights of St. Columbanus, The Pastoral & Faith Development Services Office of the Elphin diocese, adult Pioneer Association members, and Galway-Roscommon ETB Youth Services. We remain grateful to all.
When a joint review (Club and Council Representatives) on 28/11/2025 highlighted prospective benefits to Youth Club members through joining an established youth club network, , e.g. youth leadership training and increased interaction with other young people, club leaders consulted members and parents about joining such a network. All were favourable but on the proviso that it would not impact on our club’s ethos or the commitment of members to be Young Pioneers.
Club leaders are progressing this matter, and regularly update parents.
In the meantime the following applies:
- Safeguarding & Garda Vetting
As our catchment area encompasses parishes of the Clonfert, Elphin and Tuam dioceses we continue to subscribe to the Safeguarding policies and procedures of all three dioceses.
All our club’s adult volunteers are Garda vetted, and all have undertaken Safeguarding Training accredited by The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (www.safeguarding.ie). - Financial Accountability
We submit annual returns to The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (www.pioneers.ie) and to the Galway and Roscommon ETB Youth Services who administer our annual application for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. - Insurance
Regrettably The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) is not currently in a position to facilitate direct face-to-face events for and/or with young people owing to a lack of qualified volunteers across the Association.
Our club is evolving to having its own insurance, i.e. separate from the Pioneer Association. This will be in place from May 1st 2025.
Please contact Justin Harkin on 087 6171526 / pioneers@creideamh.ie
Updated: 1/06/2025