Category Archives: Latest News

Start of our Anniversary Programme of Events

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Our 30th anniversary programme of events kicked off last Friday (11th March), when President McAleese made a special visit to our presmises at the Horizons Centre on Balcurris Road.  We were delighted to welcome the President back to the Centre for her second visit to BYAP.

This time round, President McAleese helped to plant a rose-bush in our courtyard to commemorate those with links to BYAP who have died over the past 30 years.  She also visited our ‘BYAP 30 Years’ art exhibition, and made an excellent address to those present at the opening event.

President McAleese and Owen O Grady

President McAleese is presented with a bouquet of flowers by Owen O’Grady during her visit to BYAP

In addition to President McAleese’s visit, the official opening of the ‘BYAP 30 Years’ art exhibition also took place on Friday.  This was attended by the curators, Guggi and John Duffy, and by many of the artists whose work is featured in the exhibition.

John Duffy and Guggi pictured at the exhibition opening event

John Duffy and Guggi pose beside ‘My Man Bob’ by Christy, a BYAP client

Additional photographs from President McAleese’s visit and the art exhibition opening can be viewed here.

Visit by President McAleese and Launch of 30th Anniversary Events

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President Mary McAleese will today (Friday, 11th March) visit the Horizons Centre to mark the beginning of our month long events to celebrate our 30th Anniversary.

During President McAleese’s visit, a rose bush will be planted as a reminder of all of our friends who have passed away in the past 30 years. Our Art Exhibition, ‘BYAP 30 Years’, will be officially opened during the President’s visit. As part of the exhibition, the public art project, which was undertaken by clients of BYAP, will be unveiled for the first time.

Further details on the events scheduled to take place throughout the month can be found here.

30th Anniversary of Ireland’s Longest-Running Community Drugs Project

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PRESS RELEASE

30th Anniversary of Ireland’s Longest-Running Community Drugs Project

– Ballymun Youth Action Project Announces Anniversary Programme of Events –

Ireland’s longest-running community drugs project today (10.03.11) announced a programme of events to mark its 30th year.  A major national conference on substance misuse; an innovative art exhibition; and a community festival are amongst the activities being organised by the Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP) over the coming weeks.

BYAP was founded by local people in 1981 after three young people from Ballymun had died from drugs-related causes.  Over the past 30 years, the Project has offered a community-based response to drug and alcohol misuse.

According to Dermot King, Director of the organisation, BYAP’s anniversary programme of events has been organised to highlight the important work done by local communities in battling substance misuse.

“Ballymun Youth Action Project was founded at a time when heroin had begun to ravage entire communities, and Ireland was in the midst of a crippling recession,” said Mr. King.  “We were the first project of our kind in Ireland: founded by members of the local community to deal directly with local problems caused by drug and alcohol misuse.

“Over the years, we’ve seen the nature of addiction issues change and new issues have emerged as time has passed.  Because we’re grounded in the local community, we’re able to respond quickly to changing issues and reach out to people who may be wary of accessing support.

“We offer services to all ages, and we do outreach work in schools and prisons.  In addition to helping drug users, we also provide support services for their families, and we do lots of preventative and education-focused work.”

The anniversary programme of events announced today by BYAP includes:

  • A rose-planting ceremony commemorating those with links to the Project who have died over the past 30 years.
  • A visit by President Mary McAleese to BYAP’s premises on Friday, 11th March, at 2.30pm.
  • A major national conference on substance misuse, taking place in Dublin Castle on Wednesday, 23rd March, and featuring inputs from John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy prison; Professor Joe Barry, Head of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin; and Dr. Mary Ellen McCann, Vice-Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs.
  • ‘BYAP 30 Years’: an exhibition curated by acclaimed artists Guggi and Ballymun local John Duffy, featuring work by artists with links to Ballymun, including Rita Cahill, Bob Dixon, Stuart Dowie, Mick Gerrighty, Fiona Ginnell, Paddy Kavanagh, Cecilia Moore, Maria Place, Edith Poole, Frank Scalzo, Dean Scurry, the late Tom Shannon, Ray Sherlock, Stano and Long Weng.  The exhibition will run from Friday 11th March until Saturday, 26th March at the Horizons Centre, Balcurris Road, Ballymun.  Artwork produced by BYAP clients over the past 30 years will also be on display.
  • A community festival at the plaza in Ballymun on Saturday, 26th March, featuring an exciting line-up of musicians and stand-up comedians, including local singer-songwriters Garry O’Brien, Niall O’Shea and Ciaran Moran; Munch (Ballymun samba band); DeXtra; and other local rappers and musicians.
  • The unveiling of a major public art project, specially commissioned to mark the 30th anniversary of BYAP, and developed in recent weeks by artist John Duffy working with BYAP clients.  This project was facilitated by axis Ballymun and will be unveiled at BYAP’s premises on Friday, 11th March, at 2.30pm.  It will be on display until 25th March as part of the ‘BYAP 30 Years’ art exhibition.

“We’re hoping our 30th anniversary programme of events will highlight the important work done not only by BYAP, but by community groups throughout Ireland, in tackling drug and alcohol addiction,” said Dermot King.  “All the events we’re organising are open to the public, free of charge, and anyone is welcome to visit our centre over the coming weeks, to view the exhibition and public art project, or come along to the community festival at the end of the month.”

ENDS

Contact: Dermot Ryan / Martina Quinn, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4885808 / 086-6002306 / 087-6522033

Ballymun Tower

Friends Remembering Friends Memorial Service

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The Annual Friends Remembering Friends Memorial Service will take place next Monday (7th March 2011). The service, ‘Remembering the Good Times’, will take place at 7pm atthe Holy Spirit Church, Sillogue Road, Ballymun.

All are welcome.

For any further enquiries contact us at 01 8428071 or at info@byap.ie