Young people in Finglas get hooked on fishing

Finglas Youth Resource Centre awarded funding for angling equipment

Finglas Youth Resource Centre has been awarded €4,800 to purchase new fishing equipment. The centre, which works with young people from ages 10 to 24 in the Finglas area, delivers a fishing programme which has proved to be extremely popular with local participants. Inland Fisheries Ireland has granted funding to the centre to support it in engaging young people around the pursuit.

Finglas Youth Resource Centre first introduced a fishing programme to the community in the summer of 2016. The programme experienced a high level of demand which resulted in a need for more resources and equipment to ensure its delivery. The new equipment will allow the programme to expand its reach into the greater Finglas area and provide better fishing opportunities for participants.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s granted the funding through its National Strategy for Angling Development which aims to ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced with a view to ensuring a sustainable habitat and the delivery of the economic, health and recreational benefits which they offer to communities across Ireland.

Teresa Gallagher and Mick McCullagh, Youth Workers at Finglas Youth Resource Centre, with angling equipment purchased with funding from Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “It is fantastic that there is such a demand from young people in Finglas to access angling and to enjoy it as a pursuit on an ongoing basis. Finglas Youth Resource Centre provides valuable support and guidance to young people and we are delighted to support and work alongside them in promoting angling in the area.

Angling is a pursuit that can be enjoyed at any age or ability, in a group or in solitude and it offers many health and wellbeing benefits. We hope that the young people who pass through the doors of Finglas Youth Resource Centre in the coming years will reap the many recreational rewards which our fisheries resource has to offer.”