Former members of the Corofin Youth Club are set to be taken on a trip down memory lane with the release of a new book this weekend marking six decades of history and activity in the North Club organisation.
Days of Our Lives, the longest running soap opera in the world looks set to be a renewed for what will be its fifty sixth season on air having first come to screens in November 1965. The Corofin Youth Club is a year older and has taken some inspiration it appears from the US daytime programme with a book entitled Days of Our Youth.
What does distinguish the two is less drama and more facts with the Corofin publication including an array of photographs, press clippings and personal memoirs charting the activity of the club from 1964 to 2019. Paddy Coleman was a young Garda when he established the Youth Club in 1964 along with the assistance of the clergy, he will be the guest of honour this Sunday at 6:30pm in St Patricks Hall to launch the book.
At first it was an all-boys club where the early pursuits of boxing, debating and cross-county running resulted in championship success. Down through the years, the activities have expanded to include table tennis, music, drama, art, hurling, hockey, football, quizzes, cooking and board games.
Breda Shannon, Joe O’Connell and Dermot Hayes led the editorial team. Speaking to The Clare Echo, Dermot acknowledged, “As well as being a wonderful trip down memory lane for those involved with Corofin Youth Club over its 55 year history that will be enjoyed by many people from Corofin and its regions, this book is revelatory in highlighting the immense social change undergone in Ireland and reflected in a small local community. It is also a testament to and validation of the importance of volunteer and community spirit whatever the era.”
Copies can be purchased at Sunday’s launch or by contacting Dermot Hayes via email dermothayes2014@gmail.com.
