Educating to be Free in the Rebel County

Ógra Shinn Féin launched a new national campaign, ‘Educate to be free’ at their National Congress held in Cork over the past weekend (5-7th Dec). The campaign aims to lobby, campaign and agitate for free education, universal access to Irish education, student empowerment and against the privatization and commercialization of college campus and student unions.

The launch of the campaign was the focal point of the annual National Congress, which drew a huge number of young delegates, with a notably high number of young women, from throughout Ireland.

There was also a strong presence from areas not represented in a number of years, most notably South Armagh, Waterford, Limerick, South/East Belfast and Fermanagh.

Talks around the global economy, education and budget cuts, the Lisbon Treaty and the 100th anniversary of Na Fianna dominated the National Congress.



Friday night proceedings got under way with an opening address by EU Sinn Fein candidate for the south constituency, Toireasa Ferris. Toireasa spoke of her time in Ógra and how it instilled confidence in her and other young candidates like Matt Carthy, Pearse Doherty, David Cullinane and Kathleen Funchion.

She also spoke of the importance of educating wider young people on republican politics, egalitarian ideals and stressed the huge importance of increasing the Sinn Féin vote in next year's European and local elections, building on the hard work throughout the Lisbon campaign.

Friday night also seen a number of motions being dealt with.

Following the late conclusion of business for Friday night, Ógra Shinn Féin assembled in Cork City for a protest calling for the release of IRA POWs. Leaflets were distributed to the enthused and supportive late night shoppers and revelers alike.

Following the protest Former POW and UCC Lecturer Felim O hAdhmaill, gave a public talk in the Sinn Féin office on left republican politics with particular reference to the Gibraltar executions of 3 unarmed IRA volunteers in 1988.

Saturday was the main day of the Congress and throughout, various motions were passionately debated and voted on, and workshops on gender equality, education, the economy, popular culture, and the Irish language took place.

Gerry Adams was also present to give the keynote address of the congress and before leaving he met with members of the Ógra Shinn Féin National Executive, including those elected earlier in the day.

In a further election, Ógra Cork activist Donnchadh O’Laoghaire was elected to the Ard Comhairle of Sinn Féin.

The day concluded with a vibrant and vocal, ‘educate to be free’ protest in Cork City centre highlighting the new Ógra Shinn Féin campaign for the forthcoming year.

Speaking Following the National Congress Weekend, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin Barry McColgan said:

“Young republican delegates from throughout Ireland attended this years congress which seen delegates discuss and vote on a number of highly important motions which will formulate our direction and actions for the upcoming year.”

“It was an honor to host our comrades from the Catalan youth movement JERC, and the defiant message from Segi, received a huge applause, deeply inspiring everyone in the room.”

"The campaign launched at the congress, ‘Educate to be free’, is apt at this time given the disastrous budget cuts in education in the 26 counties and the huge changes being advanced in the north of Ireland.”

“It is a broad campaign which will focus on many aspects of education, and allows cumann to localize the issues on education, whether that is fees, class room sizes, or access to education through Irish.”

“It is now up to Ógra Cumainn nationwide to take this campaign into their various areas and affect change in education. Raise the call and EDUCATE TO BE FREE.”