Young people help clean-up historical site in Downpatrick

Young people help clean-up historical site in Downpatrick

23 July 2025

YOUNG people have been praised for helping to clean up a historic part of Downpatrick.

Members of the Youth Initiatives Team were involved in a major clean-up operation at the Grove, close to Down Cathedral.

The Grove is most famous for being the place where the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, preached to the people of Downpatrick during a visit to the town in the late 18th century.

But in recent years it has won a less worthy reputation as a drinking den and has become overgrown and strewn with rubbish.

The Youth Initiatives Team were joined in their tidy-up by Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairperson Philip Campbell.

Cllr Campbell said afterwards: “Everybody rolled their sleeves up and got to work. It was really encouraging to see young people having fun and caring for their local spaces.

“As chairperson of Newry, Mourne, and Down Council, I believe that this work is incredibly important.

“Our young people are our future. This year, I will work to empower them, and to create opportunities for them to learn, grow, and thrive.

“The feedback received from the team has been really positive, as they wanted a space that they could use and celebrate, so it has been amazing to see young people make that happen.”

He added: It was a great learning experience and confidence booster for all those involved.”