Battery Heights group bursting with pride after awards success
By Rebekah O'Reilly
The Battery Heights Older Girls Group recently attended the Garda Youth Awards in Mullingar and returned home to Athlone with the group award.
When asked by the Westmeath Independent how they felt after winning the award at the event earlier this month, the girls said they were amazed.
“We were delighted,” said Group member Alice Joyce (12). “I felt very proud of myself and of my club. I didn't know we could win anything with the club,” Cindy-Anna Joyce added.
The group earned the award thanks to their work on projects such as a graffiti mural at the Monsignor McCarthy complex in the Battery Heights.
The mural has been in the works for two years, and saw the girls working with artist Chris Flicker. This years portion of the mural was funded by the Family Resource Centre
Speaking about working on the mural, group member Megan Flynn Kelly said: “When we did the painting outside on the complex, we all worked together and it was all a bit of fun as well.”
“I really liked [painting the mural] because everybody was doing it together - it was a group project,” Cindy-Anna said.
Youth Work Ireland run groups across Athlone town to encourage young people to get involved in the community.
Explaining how the Battery Heights Older Girls group started, Youth Work Ireland Co-Ordinator, Carrie Lynch said: “This group was originally a group from Woodland Grove and the Battery Heights who joined up to create a winter wonderland two years ago, and the young people decided they wanted the group to stay together, and since then they have created their own group.”
The group consists of ten girls, including Tanisha Donoghue, Emma Greene, Alice Joyce (12), Lauren Nally, Cassie McCarthy, Megan Flynn Kelly, Hollie Munnelly, Hannah Berry, Cindy Anna Joyce, and Alice Joyce (18).
The girls in the group have undertaken a number of projects over the two years since the group was first formed.
“They took part in youth leadership training, they completed the Dublin mini marathon twice with coach Damien Mitchell, and they took part in the graffiti project on the front of the Monsignor McCarthy Complex. All of [these projects] couldn't happen without the funders and grants we obtain throughout the year and generous donations from local resident groups,” Carrie explained.
Talking about what the group has added to their lives since it started in 2022, the girls noted the sense of community it creates as their favourite factor.
Megan said: “I've made a lot more friends. We all get to hang out together and it's made me happier.”
Alice Joyce (18) said it helps her to get out more often than she would otherwise: “It makes me feel more active, and it gets me out of the house more.”
Youth Work Ireland Co-Ordinator Teresa Joyce said it has been amazing to watch the girls grow up.
“We've been working with the Older Girls Group for two years now, but we've been involved with some of these girls since they were 10 years old. We've seen them develop and grow up.
“I'm very proud of these young people. This award was for them. They worked really hard to get there, so to receive first place was a proud moment.”
The group won their award for Westmeath, and now have the opportunity to win at a national level.
When asked whether she thinks they could win, Carrie said: “It's a very strong competition. I don't know what they're against, but I'd say they have a good chance.”
The group coordinator expressed her gratitude for the girls in the group, and her colleagues at Youth Work Ireland.
She said: “We are immensely proud of this group of girls who have achieved so much in such a short space of time and to see them grow, and their friendships grow, is amazing. Also their youth workers Annette Clarke and Teresa Joyce - without their dedication none of this would be possible.”