Clubhouse provides a creative and safe learning environment where the members drop in to work with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence through the use of technology.

The relaunch of Clubhouse last month was hosted by teenagers Kelly Byrne and Abdul Ali Hassan. They were joined by Dylan Pierce, who showcased his design of  ‘Pierce College’ in Google Sketch-up, and Ian Dorrian, who used Scratch to build an interactive movie about Gandhi and Mandela and their fight for human rights.

Kelly and Abdul introduced Minister Seán Power and they officially launched their new website www.theclubhouse.ie

In May 2008 the Intel Foundation presented the Clubhouse with a cheque for $40,000 to upgrade the computer systems and resources. Now Clubhouse is a state-of-the-art facility kitted with Apple Mac and PC computers running the latest creative software including Adobe's Creative Suite and MIT Media Lab’s Pico Cricket and Scratch - both are programming languages that help you create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art.

The Computer Clubhouse is part of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network (ICCN) which has expanded to over 100 Computer Clubhouses in over 20 countries around the world. The ICCN is one project funded under Intel’s $100 million annual investment in education.

A recent survey on the global community of Clubhouses by SRI International found that 3 out of 4 active clubhouse members make the decision to continue onto 3rd level education. The projects completed by members, and the technical skills acquired in this informal learning structure breed an enthusiasm for experimentation and creativity that is now in great demand in the technology and design sectors.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Power said,

“The Clubhouse has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2003 by the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern with over 100 people taking part in different projects every week.

”The Clubhouse is enriched by over 30 volunteers from all over the world who offer support on projects such website design, IT infrastructure, networking and who Mentor the members in the clubhouse. These Mentors are critical to the success of the Clubhouse."

The Intel Computer Clubhouse is part of the Intel Innovation in Education initiative, which is focused on collaborating with educators around the world to improve the quality of science and mathematics education and to help students develop the higher level thinking skills they need to participate and succeed in their lives.