For Teens & Young Adults

Make new friends from across Europe and enjoy a memorable experience!

What is Barretstown?

At Barretstown we run residential camps for children and their families affected by serious illness. We offer a range of adventurous, fun and challenging activities which are supported behind the scenes by 24 hour on site medical and nursing care. Barretstown is free of charge.

It was founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994 and modelled on his renowned Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut, USA. Our programmes take place at a fairytale castle in the beautiful foothills of Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains.

Barretstown is a break from hospitals, white coats and medical treatment and a chance for sick children to be children again: to have fun, to make new friends and create new memories – all within the beautiful and magical setting of Barretstown castle in the Kildare countryside.

What our campers have to say

Barretstown means something different to each teen who comes here,
so we thought it would be best to let them describe their experiences
in their own words.

A camp just for you!

Teen Camp

The summer camps are specially designed programmes where teenagers with a serious illness can attend, have some fun and meet other teenagers from all over Europe.

Parents do not participate in the summer camps.

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