New youth space for young people in Kilkenny officially launched

A new youth space for young people in Urlingford has been officially launched with the opening of ‘The Ford Youth Centre’, a dedicated UBU-funded youth project delivered by Ossory Youth, funded by the Department of Education and Youth in partnership with Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB).

Based within the Urlingford Childcare Centre and operating across both Urlingford and Johnstown, the new UBU project will provide safe, welcoming, and supportive spaces for young people aged 10–24 in the local area.

The Urlingford and Johnstown UBU Project forms part of the national UBU “Your Place Your Space” scheme, the Government’s principal targeted youth funding programme supporting young people.

Central to the UBU programme is the creation of safe and inclusive community spaces where young people can develop confidence, skills, resilience, and positive connections.

The project emerged following extensive quantitative and qualitative research carried out by the KCETB Youth Office in Urlingford and Johnstown in late 2024. The research identified

Following a selection process, Ossory Youth was appointed as the service provider for the new UBU project. Ossory Youth works with young people across Kilkenny through a range of youth and community services and is guided by its mission of “supporting young people to connect, experience, learn and grow.”

A highlight of the evening was the strong presence and involvement of local young people, who played a key role in the launch celebrations.