"It’s about giving people the confidence to speak up, check in, and shift the tone on what’s acceptable"

The "All Right All Night" initiative - a powerful programme designed to equip young people with the tools and confidence to challenge harmful behaviour, support their peers, and help reshape the culture around nights out – came to Drogheda last week.

All Right All Night offers engaging training and workshops for 16–24-year-olds, focusing on understanding and addressing sexual misconduct, harassment, and violence. It also empowers participants with practical bystander intervention skills to help create safer social spaces.

Developed in collaboration with the UCC Bystander Intervention Programme and supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the initiative aligns with key recommendations from the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report.

Last week’s workshops, the first to be held in the northeast, were hosted at Drogheda United’s Sullivan and Lambe Park, with support from Louth County Council and Drogheda Purple Flag.

On Monday, 23rd June, 18 participants from Louth and Meath who regularly work with young people took part in a ‘Train the Trainer’ session, marking a significant milestone for the region.

This was followed on Tuesday, 24th June, by a youth workshop, led by Professor Louise Crowley, creator of the UCC Bystander Intervention Programme. The session delivered impactful, relatable training to help young people stay safe and look out for one another on nights out.

Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr Michelle Hall, welcomed the initiative, saying: “Everyone has a part to play in making our nightlife safer and more respectful, and it’s fantastic to see Drogheda leading the way by hosting this training. I’m especially proud of the young people who were involved in the sessions. Their energy and commitment are exactly what we need to build a more caring and inclusive community.”

Mark Davies, Night-Time Economy Adviser with Louth County Council, who coordinated the events, also praised the programme, saying: “I’ve worked in this field across the UK and Ireland for over a decade, and I can honestly say this training was the best I’ve encountered. It was clear, smart, relatable, and absolutely essential.

“This isn’t just about posters or campaigns. It’s about giving people the confidence to speak up, check in, and shift the tone on what’s acceptable. This work is urgent, practical, and positive - and we’re proud that the Drogheda community is leading the way.”

If you are interested in holding an All Right All Night session, contact Mark Davies, Night-Time Economy Adviser with Louth County Council, at mark.davies@louthcoco.ie

For more information on the All Right All Night initiative, visit: www.ucc.ie/en/allright-allnight  and follow All Right All Night and Drogheda Purple Flag on social media.