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Oíche na hÓige 2026 to celebrate young people and the impact of youth work across Ireland
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Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, has announced plans for Oíche na hÓige (‘Youth Night’) 2026, following the success of the inaugural event in 2025.
Taking place on Friday, 13 November 2026, Oíche na hÓige will bring communities across Ireland together to celebrate young people, youth clubs and services, and the dedicated youth workers and volunteers who make a lasting difference to the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people every year.
Youth clubs and services are being encouraged to create their own showcase event as a celebration of youth work and an opportunity to demonstrate the value their club or service brings to young people and the wider community. Groups can invite members of the public into their spaces or develop their own creative and innovative ways to showcase their work, achievements and impact.
The Department of Education and Youth will provide funding through the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to support clubs and projects in organising events for Oíche na hÓige.
Announcing plans for Oíche na hÓige 2026, Minister Naughton said:
“I am delighted to announce Oíche na hÓige 2026, a flagship celebration of youth work and the remarkable contribution made by young people, youth clubs, youth workers and volunteers across Ireland.
“Oíche na hÓige provides a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the transformative role of youth work in enriching young people’s lives, building confidence and strengthening communities across the country.
“More than 450 groups took part in last year’s inaugural event, demonstrating the incredible breadth and diversity of youth work taking place in communities throughout Ireland. I encourage even more clubs and services to get involved in 2026, showcase their achievements, share their stories and highlight the lasting impact youth work has on young people and their communities.”
Clubs and services funded under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme or the UBU Your Place Your Space programme are invited to participate in Oíche na hÓige 2026.
Further information on funding and participation will be available shortly from local ETB Youth Officers.
Notes to editors:
What is Oíche na hÓige?
Oíche na hÓige (Youth Night) aims to showcase the value that youth work brings to young people and the wider community, and to create opportunities for further integration of youth work and clubs within communities.
Oíche na hÓige 2026 will raise the profile of youth work and show off the exceptional youth clubs and projects at the heart of communities across Ireland. Participating youth clubs and services will be encouraged to put on an event or series of events that demonstrates the kinds of activities that they offer and the difference that youth work makes.
It is intended that as many events as possible will take place on the same date, without ruling out events on nearby evenings to make sure as many clubs and projects as possible have a chance to take part.
The objectives of Oíche na hÓige 2026 are:
- to increase public awareness and recognition of youth work;
- to build community awareness of youth work services and youth clubs in their locality;
- to show the value that youth work can bring to young people and the wider community; and
- to create opportunities for the further integration of youth projects and youth clubs into their communities.
All Oíche na hÓige events should aim to promote greater community awareness and/or to establish links between the club and the wider community.
Participating clubs and services will open their doors to invite the public into their space to learn about what youth work means. Where this is not possible, participants will be encouraged to design an alternative way of showcasing their club or project and letting the wider community know what a difference youth work can make.
Oíche na hÓige 2026 will take place during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Participants will be encouraged to consider planning events with a Presidency or European theme as part of the wider youth elements of the Irish Presidency.
Oíche na hÓige is an initiative of the Department of Education and Youth delivered in partnership with the education and training boards, the National Youth Council of Ireland and the youth work sector.