Successful Fresher’s Week in Ogra Shinn Fein UCD, An Cumann McDonagh/Farrell

Ógra Shinn Féin UCD recently had a highly successful Fresher’s Week, with an increase in numbers from 70 to 76 members. New materials and posters were supplied this year which really captured the imagination of new recruits, and a large proportion of those who signed up were first years and female.

College authorities in UCD have in recent years implemented, a schedule that is designed to suppress society participation in the college as much as possible, but political participation in UCD Ogra looks likely to be as active as ever as many new recruits have already shown an interest in active campaigning on the Belfield Campus, particularly in the upcoming fight against fees.

Senior party M.E.P Mary Lou McDonald made a visit to the Fresher’s Tent on Monday to lend a hand to the recruitment drive, and signed up to a number of societies doing good work across campus, including the I.P.A and Mature Students Society. Mary Lou has been a frequent visitor to UCD in recent years and her visit attracted great interest in the Ogra stand.

The first meeting of the Cumann was held on Thursday at 4.00 with many new members in attendance as well as all of this years committee. In a highly energetic meeting, members expressed a keen interest in building on the success of recent years, and looked ready to meet the major challenges ahead during the year, including the campaign to defeat fees and participation in the local and European elections. Social events including the Cumann’s annual trip to the Dail and the Bloody Sunday Commemoration in Derry also aroused interest from new members.

Speaking on the success of the week, chair of the UCD Cumann Mick Reynolds said,

“It has been a really good week, and I’m delighted at the amount of young energetic members we have been able to sign up. There are so many campaigns out there to be active on in UCD and nationally, but fees are the biggest issue facing students at the moment, and I think it’s an issue that can galvanise students and young republicans all across Ireland.

"I’m just really happy with the way the week has gone and the support we’ve had from the senior party, not just in terms of Mary Lou coming out, but in terms of organisation and new materials, it’s just set us up really well for the year and the challenges ahead.”