From first steps to gold awards
Everything we run is non-formal education: learning through doing, playing, making and performing. Here's the full picture, age by age.
Got children in more than one age group? Tap every group that applies and we'll show the lot.
Little ones, big energy
Mini Movers & Production Drama
An introduction to basic dance and drama. Confidence building disguised as showing off, in the best way.
Play Soccer
An hour of penalty shootouts, mini games and basic skills for budding football heroes. Great for motor skills and making new friends.
Friday Evening Youth Club
Arts and crafts, sports, board games, Xbox and media in a safe, fun environment where children can play and learn with friends and leaders.
After Schools Clubs
In partnership with Our Lady and St Patrick PS: dance, drama, media, art, cookery, hairdressing skills, movie making, sports and themed play.
Your place, your nights
Senior club nights built around what members actually want: a refurbished media centre, a games zone with four 55 inch TVs and internet access, pool and snooker, plus football, basketball, cricket, table tennis, badminton and dodgeball.
Food is served at every session, with mini chef and cookery sessions running through the week. Nobody does a growth spurt on an empty stomach.
Awards that open doors
Accredited programmes that look brilliant on a CV and feel even better to complete: new skills, volunteering, expeditions and the great outdoors.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Learn new skills, volunteer, get active and take on an expedition with your mates.
Pope John Paul II Award
Recognises young people who get involved in the life of their parish and community through volunteering and service.
Millennium Award
Our in-house leadership pathway. Volunteer alongside staff, support programmes for younger members and train as the next generation of youth leaders.
Forty years of curtain calls
Our pantomime tradition goes back to the 80s, with casts of 50 or more taking the stage of the historic Downshire Great Hall every year. Alongside the panto we've produced musicals for over a decade, plus one-off shows like Patrick and the Bells.
Through the London National Theatre Connections project, members aged 15+ have workshopped original scripts and performed them at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. Singing, dancing, acting, backstage: there's a place in the company for everyone.
Trips, exchanges and full plates
See somewhere new
Residentials and day trips to outdoor centres, swimming, bowling and adventure parks, plus long running exchange links across Ireland and trips as far as Scotland, London and Finland. Cross community programmes connect our members with clubs in Ballykinlar, Holywood and Belfast.
Food at every session
Working with Children in NI and Finnebrogue Artisan, our Holiday Hunger programme has served over 12,800 meals and suppers in a single year, alongside thousands of snacks and hundreds of food bags for local families. Every session includes food for all.
Amplify
Our cross community programme brings young people together across schools and traditions, including creative projects like a recent community photography project with a local photographer.
Media centre & games zone
A refurbished media suite and a games zone with four 55 inch connected TVs give every member access to tech, tackling digital poverty in the Downpatrick area head on.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us your age and what you're into, and we'll point you at the right club. Or just check the weekly timetable and drop in.