Bohemian Foundation launched

The Bohemian Foundation was today officially launched by Lord Mayor of Dublin Críona Ní Dhálaigh at a reception in the Mansion House.

In attendance were local TDs Paschal Donohoe (Minster for Sport), Maureen O’Sullivan, Mary-Lou McDonald, Cllr Larry O’Toole, directors and volunteers of the Bohemian Foundation and Bohemian FC, and members of the press.

MISSION

The Bohemian Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation intent on improving the health and well-being of its North Dublin community.

CURRENT OBJECTIVES

To offer a focal point for community involvement of local community groups
To work with local projects to encourage children to become more involved in their community through sport
To offer rehabilitation opportunities to the community through engagement in sporting activities and promote a healthy lifestyle
To liaise with Dublin City Council to assist with their various Sports For All programmes
To address the issue of child obesity by encouraging local schoolchildren to participate in sport and to give them advice on diet, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle

HOW WE OPERATE

The Foundation runs its own initiatives but also collaborates with Dublin City Council and others in a range of activites towards the shared objectives of improved health, well-being, community development and social inclusion.

The other bodies the Bohemian Foundation has worked with include:

The School Completion Programme
The Irish Prison Service
The Garda Youth Diversion Project
Age Action
Special Olympics Ireland
The Society of St Vincent de Paul

INITIATIVES TO DATE

Local schools visited and given coaching and advice on nutrition and healthy living
Walking football initiative commenced in Ballymun for over-50s
The Foundation is a partner of the MOST (Montpellier and O’Devaney Gardens Striving Together) Project and hosts games for children in Dalymount Park
Football coaching in Mountjoy throughout the year culminating in Conway Cup competition and final v Bohemian FC team, and also match involving Sandyhill Shangan FC at Dalymount Park
Summer and Christmas dinners hosted in Mountjoy for senior citizens. Also, comedy workshops culmination in two stand-up concerts

FUTURE PLANS

Drama workshop run by an actor/director
Walking Football – expansion to other Northside area, e.g. Darndale
Extension of schools programme; involvement with School Completion Programme (SCP) and anti-obesity drive
Mental and physical health initiatives
Football coaching to continue in Mountjoy – inter-prison competition, winners to play Bohemian FC for Conway Cup
Exploration of further community partnerships

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

It started in 2013. Thomas Hynes, before he became public relations director of Bohemian FC, began to bring school groups to Dalymount Park so that they could see how a professional football club was run behind the scenes.

Several football conversations with Mountjoy Prison governor Donncha Walsh – a keen Cork City supporter himself – led to a friendly enquiry: “Any chance you could get some coaching going in the prison?” The answer was a resounding “yes.”

Thomas contacted his friend Richard Sadlier, who readily agreed to be a coach. He also involved fellow Ireland international Kenny Cunningham and others as guest coaches.

Many more volunteers have since come forward from all walks of life and backgrounds to get involved to build on the work already done.

Today sees the Bohemian Foundation work in partnership with Dublin City Council and a host of other bodies – schools, senior citizen groups, youth groups, the Irish Prison Service, the Garda Youth Diversion Project and Special Olympics Ireland.

The Foundation is a totally independent non-profit organisation involved in a range of activities to help improve the well-being and social development of the local community.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Thomas Hynes (President): Thomas has been involved in community work for many years and founded The Bohemian Foundation in 2015, with the other members of the Board of Management,, in order to structure the work he was already doing with local schools, football clubs and Mountjoy Prison.
Chris Brien (Treasurer): Chris is a former Youth Director, Finance Director and President of Bohemian FC. As President, he supported and was actively involved in the community work carried out by the club. He is presently running a walking football initiative in Ballymun and hopes to extend the programme to other areas over the next 12 months.
Jeff Conway (Social Inclusion): Jeff has a diploma in Community Work from UCD and is presently in the final year of a four-year Social Science degree at UCD. Jeff manages the Sandyhill Shangan ‘Premier A’ team in the AUL and is also on their committee. He initiated tcoaching sessions for the inmates of Mountjoy Prison and these sessions culminate in a game between Bohemian FC and the prison team for the Conway Cup each year.
Barbara Conway (Nutrition and Well-being): Barbara is in the final year of a three-year Naturopathic Nutrition Course with the College of Naturopathic Medicine. Barbara is a key member of our team that visits schools and gives advice on diet, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
John Colleary (The Arts): John is a well know stand-up comedian who also writes and appears in The Savage Eye and other programmes on RTÉ. John initiated comedy workshops in Mountjoy Prison and these workshops culminated with inmates of the prison performing stand-up routines for fellow inmates, friends and families.
Stephen Burke (Publications): A former systems analyst and programmer, Stephen has served on Bohemian FC’s management committee in a variety of roles over the past 25 years and is currently Membership Secretary. Co-author (with Seán Ryan) of The Book of Irish Goalscorers, for many years he also edited the Bohemian FC matchday programme.

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE BOHEMIAN FOUNDATION

The Bohemian Foundation is a not-for-profit independent organisation. Up to now, it has operated thanks to our volunteers who provide time and expertise for free, plus impromptu contributions from various kind individuals and businesses.

To enable the Foundation to plan with confidence and extend its reach, further funds are required.

We appeal to you to join us as a Friend of the Bohemian Foundation for €10 a per year. We will email you our updates on at least a twice-yearly basis to keep you informed of our plans and progress.

YOU CAN DONATE BY:

Posting a cheque, bank draft or postal order made payable to the Bohemian Foundation to: The Bohemian Foundation, Dalymount Park, Dublin 7, D07YXWO. Remember to left us know your email address so we can send you our updates.
Donate by bank transfer: Bank of Ireland, Phibsborough, Dublin 7. BIC: BOFIIE2D. IBAN: IE80BOFI90062356161655. If you make a transfer, please let us know by emailing foundation@bohemians.ie.