Ossory Youth: the beating heart of Kilkenny’s youth welcomes those fleeing war

At Desart Hall in the heart of Kilkenny City, something quite remarkable is happening.

Since 1985, Ossory Youth has been a beating heart of youth support across Kilkenny city and county, parts of Laois, and Offaly.

But in the wake of the war in Ukraine, this voluntary non-profit has found itself playing a new and critical role - supporting young people who have had to flee their homes, families, communities and their way of life because of war.

Most of our Ukrainian teenagers arrived in Ireland disoriented, anxious and uncertain of their future.
Kilkenny, a town they had never heard of, became their new reality. Some thought they’d only stay for a few weeks. Years later, many are still here.

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More than just a building, Ossory Youth has become a safe haven - a place where young Ukrainians can breathe, feel like they belong, process complex emotions and begin to be the authors of a new chapter in their lives. This does not happen overnight, healing happens slowly and purposefully - a quiet corner to talk in, a table to paint at, peers to laugh with, food to share, games to play, friendships to nurture. Ossory Youth became a space where the young people felt seen, understood and included.

The work is supported through funding from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, through the KCETB, TUSLA and CYPSC Kilkenny. With that support, Ossory Youth has been able to expand its outreach - launching inclusive integration programmes, conversational English classes and creative outlets such as music, art, outdoor trips and social events.
Art sessions, music workshops, and trips are not just fun - they are bridges to friendship, confidence, resilience and a regained sense of agency.

“I didn’t know anyone when I came here,” says Yaroslav, a 17-year-old from Dnipro. “I didn’t think I would stay. But after joining the youth group, I met people who understand me. Now I feel like I’m part of something.”

And he’s not alone. Dozens of young Ukrainians now regularly take part in youth-led sessions at Desart Hall. Whether it’s a painting afternoon or cooking, each activity brings moments of normality - and growth.

Crucially, these youth spaces are non-judgmental. There is no pressure to ‘fit in’. Instead, young people are encouraged to share their stories, express themselves in new ways, and learn side-by-side with their Irish peers.

Ossory Youth’s programme is also opening the eyes of local young people. They’re learning about new cultures, developing empathy, and expanding their own worldviews. These interactions are teaching them that diversity isn’t a challenge - it’s a strength.

Behind the scenes, the staff team is also evolving. Working closely with the Ukrainian community has deepened their understanding of trauma, resilience, and cross-cultural communication. It’s a two-way street of learning and growth.
And the broader message is clear: when we invest in youth, we invest in the future.

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At a time when the world feels fractured, our Ukrainian young people are stitching together a local tapestry of inclusion and hope - one friendship, one activity, one young person at a time.

Many of these young people have lived through the unimaginable, yet they show up - curious, hopeful, and ready to build a new future. Ossory Youth recognises that every young person arrives with a story, and those stories deserve to be heard, nurtured, and celebrated.

This philosophy is not new for the organisation. Ossory Youth has a long and proud track record of working with displaced and migrant young people - including Syrian and Sudanese youth - supporting them through trauma, helping them build agency, and walking alongside them as they integrate into Irish society.

As the organisation looks to the future, the goal is simple: to continue creating spaces where every young person feels they matter - regardless of where they come from, what language they speak, or how long they plan to stay.
Kilkenny is not just a stopover anymore. For many young Ukrainians, it is starting to feel like home.

Ossory Youth is a member of Kilkenny Community Integration Forum, chaired by Kilkenny County Council, bringing together representatives from agencies operating across County Kilkenny, to co-ordinate a community-led response and support for all new communities resettling in County Kilkenny.

The aim of group is to promote and support integration, equality, social inclusion, and civic participation for those families and individuals who come to Kilkenny. For further information on Ossory Youth contact cstafford@ossoryyouth.com and integration@kilkennycoco.ie to find out more about Kilkenny Community Integration Forum.