A place to find friends, have fun & grow strong
Patrician Youth Centre is Downpatrick's full time youth centre. From first steps in Mini Movers to Gold Duke of Edinburgh, we're here for every child and young person aged 4 to 18, six days a week.
Something for every young person
Non-formal education is a fancy way of saying learning that feels like fun. Every programme we run helps young people build skills, confidence and friendships.
Youth clubs
Weekly clubs for every age group, from primary sessions to senior nights with the games zone, media suite, pool and snooker.
Performing arts
Patrician Youth Theatre stages the famous annual panto plus musicals, dance and drama, with casts of 50 or more.
Sports
Football, basketball, cricket, table tennis, badminton and dodgeball. Little ones start with Play Soccer.
Awards & training
Accredited programmes including the Duke of Edinburgh Award from age 14, plus leadership training through our Millennium Award.
Trips & residentials
Outdoor centres, swimming, bowling and adventure days, plus exchange links as far as Scotland, London and Finland.
Suppers & snacks
Every session includes food for all, backed by mini chef and cookery sessions. Thousands of meals reach local families each year.
Forty-plus years of showing up
PYC on John Street today, on the old Canon's Hall site
Built where the showbands played
Our building stands on the site of the old Canon's Hall, the dance hall where half of Downpatrick met, danced and fell in love in the 50s and 60s. When the Centre opened its doors in October 1981, it carried that tradition on with years of legendary discos.
Four decades later, thousands of young people have passed through our doors. Some of them now bring their own kids.
Ready to join in?
Membership is open to all children and young people aged 4 to 18 in Downpatrick and the surrounding area. No distinction, no exceptions. That's the whole point.