Fáilte - Welcome to Athy Youth Centre, Home of Aontas Ógra Youth Club Pictures of Main Hall || Pool Room || Kitchen || Big Brother . History: During the late 60s until 1983 the Club had existed in the old "Oak Room" of St. John's Hall. Although that room was the venue for many different activities and was regarded as a "second home" by hundreds of young people over the years, it was very often unable to meet the demands of a developing Club e.g. there were no toilets or running water. For many activities it was therefore necessary to hire other venues. The Club itself did not have the resources to find a better "home", being fully occupied in the day-to-day challenge of providing informal educational activities for members, many of whom were very young. Appeals to the adult community to provide a better facility for young people were unsuccessful for a decade until Athy Lions Club took up the challenge and began fund-raising for a Youth Centre to be built behind 82 Leinster St. However, in 1981 Dreamland Ballroom was for sale and it was agreed that funds raised should be usd to buy that building and that one wing - the mineral bar - would be converted into a youth centre. After more intensive and very successful fund-raising by the Lions Club, later in partnership with the Parish, the project was completed and in October 1983 Aontas Ógra moved into the new "home" in Athy Youth Centre. Since then all kinds of people, young and old have used the Centre and a huge amount of activity has taken place there. Other groups have also made it "home" e.g. Sonseekers Youth Clubs, Irish dancing, youth band practices. Over the years one aspect has always been present - hospitality. When someone drops by the kettle goes on and the chat and craic begins. In this day of hi-tec communication we don't forget the basics!