Óiche na hÓige events to take place nationwide

A celebration of youth work in communities will take place across Ireland tonight as part of Oíche na hÓige (Youth Night) as youth clubs and services are set to open to the wider community.

The Department of Education and Youth initiative, now in its second year seeks to celebrate members of youth clubs and groups, youth workers and volunteers.

Events are being delivered in partnership with Education and Training Boards, the National Youth Council of Ireland and the youth work sector.

Several hundred events will take place in villages, towns and cities. Some events are invitation only; others are open to the public.

Foróige Volunteer Development Manager Denis O'Brien said the initiative is based on Culture Night with the organisation set to host more than 200 events.

Mr O'Brien said young people are given a platform to showcase and celebrate their work, volunteers and staff are given recognition, and the community is provided with a greater sense of what young people are doing to make their community a better place.

He said it provides a greater understanding of how young people are "coming up to be part of the community and the next generation of leaders in their community."

"If there are communities that don't have a Foróige club, a youth club or a scout group, this may be an encouragement to make something happen in their community," he said.

Foróige senior youth officer Jack Cavaliero, who manages the Sligo Peace Plus Youth Digital Project, said events will include staff led projects and volunteer led clubs.

"For us, running the youth projects, every night is Youth Night. We get to see the amazing work that these young people do. It's about empowering young people," he said.

He said the impact of their work, where young people are given "a sense of agency," can be seen through increased confidence "week after week."

"They are more confident, putting themselves forward for opportunities and taking leadership roles," he said.