August is a month of celebration, reflection, and preparation across the youth sector. As summer programmes reach their final weeks and young people begin looking towards a new academic year, youth services throughout Dublin continue to provide opportunities for learning, creativity, participation, and personal growth.
Across communities, young people have spent the summer building friendships, developing skills, expressing themselves through creative activities, taking part in sports and outdoor programmes, and contributing positively to their local areas. August offers a chance to recognise these achievements while looking ahead to the exciting opportunities that autumn will bring.
Youth work remains rooted in connection, inclusion, and empowerment, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to participate, belong, and thrive.
Recent Highlights Across the Network
Sports Day Success at Greenfield Youth Group
Young people at Greenfield Youth Group recently enjoyed a fantastic Sports Day packed with activity, challenge, and fun.
The day featured a variety of exciting activities including obstacle courses, metric cube games facilitated by Maurice Noble from City of Dublin Youth Services, including slow bike challenges, rounders, and team-based activities that encouraged participation and teamwork throughout the day.
Participants also received medals, ice cream, and goodie bags in recognition of their efforts and achievements.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for young people to stay active, work together, challenge themselves, and celebrate the positive spirit of summer. The enthusiasm, determination, and teamwork on display highlighted the value of creating spaces where young people can build confidence, resilience, and lasting friendships while having fun.
Watch the full reel here: Sports Day
Greenfield Youth Club Summer Project Continues
Young people at Greenfield Youth Club have been enjoying an action-packed Summer Project 2026, with a fantastic range of activities taking place throughout the season.
So far, participants have enjoyed trips and experiences including:
- Bray Aquarium
- Emerald Park
- Footgolf
- Bubble Football
- Dream Point
- Dublin Zoo
- Sports Day activities featuring metric games and ice cream
The project continues to provide opportunities for young people to stay active, make new friends, build confidence, and create lasting summer memories.
City of Dublin Youth Services is delighted to support initiatives such as this, helping to ensure that young people can access positive, inclusive, and enriching experiences throughout the summer months.
Congratulations to everyone involved, and we look forward to seeing what the remainder of the Summer Project has in store.
Watch the full reel here: Fun Summer
Queen Street Community Mural Launch Celebrates Youth Creativity and Local Pride
A wonderful celebration of youth creativity, community spirit, and local pride recently took place with the official launch of a new mural at Queen Street Flats.
The project was facilitated by Bradóg Youth Service and funded by City of Dublin Youth Services and Dublin City Council.
Designed, created, and painted entirely from scratch by young people aged 10-12 years from the Queen Street Junior Girls Group, the mural explores the theme of community and reflects the young people's connection to their area and the people who live there.
Working alongside artist Hernán González, the group developed their ideas from concept to completion, creating a vibrant piece of public artwork that now stands as a lasting contribution to the local community.
The launch event was attended by the young artists, members of the local community, Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron, and Mary Lou McDonald, all of whom recognised and celebrated the creativity, dedication, and contribution of the young people involved.
The mural is a fantastic example of how youth participation can positively shape public spaces while fostering a sense of ownership, confidence, and pride in local communities.
City of Dublin Youth Services is incredibly proud of the talented young people whose hard work brought the project to life. Their creativity and commitment have left a lasting mark on the community and created something that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Watch the full reel here: Mural Launch
First Aid Training Strengthens Youth Work Practice
As part of ongoing efforts to support quality youth work and staff development, members of the Arts and Capacity Team participated in First Aid: Level 3 Remote Emergency Care training on 25 August 2026.
Hosted by BRYR, the training provided participants with valuable knowledge and practical skills to respond effectively to emergencies in remote and outdoor settings. The course focused on essential first aid techniques, risk awareness, and emergency response procedures relevant to youth work environments.
Investing in training opportunities such as these helps ensure that youth workers are well-equipped to support young people safely and confidently across a wide range of programmes and activities. Continuous professional development remains a key part of delivering high-quality youth services and creating positive experiences for young people throughout Dublin.
Wishing Leaving Certificate Students the Very Best
August is also an important month for thousands of young people across Ireland as they prepare to receive their Leaving Certificate results.
At City of Dublin Youth Services, we would like to wish every student the very best as they take this next step on their journey.
Whether the results bring celebration, new opportunities, or a change of plans, it is important to remember that there are many different pathways to success. Exam results are only one part of a much bigger story, and every young person should be proud of the effort, determination, and resilience they have shown throughout their studies.
Whatever the outcome, we encourage young people to take time to recognise their achievements, seek support when needed, and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
We wish all students and their families the very best for the future.
Show ‘Em What You Can Do At City of Dublin FET College
We're proud to introduce 'Show 'Em What You Can Do', the latest City of Dublin FET College advertising campaign designed to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to discover what's possible through further education and training.
That's the thinking behind the new campaign, 'Show 'Em What You Can Do'.
Using an energetic and empowering message, the campaign encourages people at every stage of life to take the next step, pursue their ambitions and unlock their potential.
The campaign also marks an exciting time for City of Dublin FET College with the recent launch of our new website www.cityofdublinfetcollege.ie making it easier than ever to explore courses, and find the pathway that's right for you.
Keep an eye (and ear) out for 'Show 'Em What You Can Do' over the coming weeks. Make sure to visit the new website and see the full range of opportunities available.Dublin Youth Theatre Takes to the Stage
Dublin Youth Theatre is preparing to bring The Watsons by Laura Wade.
Exploring the question "What happens when the author doesn't finish the story?", this witty and imaginative production promises an engaging night of theatre.
City of Dublin Youth Services is proud to support Dublin Youth Theatre alongside the Arts Council, Dublin City Council, and Youth Theatre Ireland. We wish the cast and crew every success as they prepare for this year's Big Show.
🎭 The Watsons
📍 Smock Alley Theatre
📅 19-22 August 2026
🎟️ Book your tickets here: The Watsons
Awareness Days and Themes in August
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Celebrated annually on 9 August, this day recognises the cultures, traditions, contributions, and rights of Indigenous peoples across the world.
For youth organisations, it provides an opportunity to promote diversity, inclusion, respect, and intercultural understanding while encouraging young people to learn about different communities, histories, and perspectives.
International Youth Day
One of the most important dates in the youth work calendar is International Youth Day, celebrated every year on 12 August.
The day recognises the voices, talents, achievements, and contributions of young people across the world. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of creating opportunities for young people to actively participate in shaping the communities and societies they live in.
Across Dublin, youth services support young people through leadership programmes, volunteering opportunities, creative projects, advocacy work, and youth participation initiatives that empower young people to make their voices heard.
International Youth Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and potential of young people while reaffirming our commitment to supporting them in reaching their goals.
World Humanitarian Day
Observed on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day highlights the importance of compassion, community action, and supporting those in need.
The values celebrated on this day reflect many of the principles at the heart of youth work:
- Inclusion
- Respect
- Volunteering
- Community engagement
- Social responsibility
Youth organisations throughout Dublin continue to encourage young people to make positive contributions within their communities through volunteering initiatives, peer support, local projects, and acts of kindness that strengthen community connections.
Women's Equality Day
Women's Equality Day celebrates progress towards gender equality and reminds us of the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for everyone.
Youth services play a vital role in creating inclusive environments where young women and girls can build confidence, develop leadership skills, participate fully, and have their voices heard. It is also an opportunity to encourage conversations around equality, respect, and empowerment for all young people.
National Allotments Week
August also includes National Allotments Week, which promotes environmental awareness, food sustainability, gardening, and community wellbeing.
Many youth groups use outdoor spaces and environmental projects as opportunities to engage young people in discussions around sustainability, biodiversity, climate awareness, and healthy living.
These activities help young people develop practical skills while fostering a stronger connection with nature and their local communities.
The Importance of Creativity and Participation
Throughout August, creativity continues to play an important role in youth development.
Whether through drama, music, visual arts, sports, or community-based activities, creative participation provides young people with opportunities to:
- Express themselves confidently
- Develop new skills
- Build self-esteem
- Form positive relationships
- Explore their interests and talents
Programmes that encourage creativity and participation help young people discover their strengths while supporting their emotional wellbeing and personal development.
Preparing for New Opportunities
As summer programmes conclude, many organisations are preparing for a busy autumn period filled with new opportunities.
This includes the continued promotion of Evening Courses and Frontline Skills Programmes, which begin on 15 September 2026 and will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.00pm to 9.00pm.
These programmes will provide participants with opportunities to:
- Develop practical skills
- Strengthen employability
- Build confidence
- Explore new learning pathways
- Support personal and professional growth
Autumn also brings the return of regular youth services, educational supports, leadership initiatives, arts programmes, volunteering opportunities, and community projects across Dublin.
Looking Ahead
As August progresses, attention begins to turn towards the new academic year and the opportunities that lie ahead.
The experiences gained throughout the summer have helped young people build confidence, develop friendships, discover new interests, and strengthen their connection to their communities.
These foundations will continue to support them as they move into a new season of learning, participation, and personal growth.
Final Thoughts
August is a month of celebration, creativity, and possibility.
From Greenfield Youth Group's successful Sports Day to Dublin Youth Theatre's upcoming production of The Watsons, young people across Dublin continue to demonstrate talent, enthusiasm, creativity, and determination.
International Youth Day reminds us of the importance of recognising young people's voices and contributions, while awareness days throughout the month encourage reflection on inclusion, equality, diversity, and community engagement.
As summer draws to a close, City of Dublin Youth Services remains committed to creating opportunities where every young person can learn, participate, belong, and thrive.
Together, we continue to build stronger communities, create positive opportunities, and empower young people to shape their futures.
🌞 Celebrating Summer🌍 Global Citizenship
🎭 Creativity & Culture ⚽ Active Participation
Share this post
