Campa Náisiúnta Óige 2009 – A Century of Youth in Struggle

Campa Náisiúnta Óige 2009 will take place in Knockatallon, County Monaghan. The national event is being held in the beautiful setting from the 19th – 21st June.

Knockatallon is an ideal location for the National Youth Camp, an area that runs close to, and borders both Tyrone and Fermanagh is steeped in Republican history.



It was home to legendary Óglach Seamus McElwain, who lived close by in the townland of Tydavnet, it was also where the Brookeborogh men retreated to after the raid which cost the lives of two of Ireland’s most famous patriots Seán Sabhat and Fergal O’Hanlon, and in the most recent phase of armed struggle, it was used by many volunteers on the run.

The local community also demonstrated massive bravery and initiative when collectively they acquired machinery and diggers to re-open roads destroyed and blocked by the British Army. Their legendary actions earned them the fond term of ‘border busters.’

That initiative and collective community spirit of an empowered people continues today in the Slieve Beagh Community Hotel which is the venue for the National Youth Camp.

The main theme of this year’s Campa Náisiúnta Óige will be ‘A Century of Youth in Struggle’, marking the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Na Fianna Éireann and the continuation of their struggle embodied in Ógra Shinn Féin today.

There will be talks, debate, historical tour, republican youth quiz, dvd showings, sport, craic agus ceol and a bus will be leaving for Bodenstown on Sunday morning. Paddywagon and The Dominican Affair will be providing the music for the weekend and there will also be an open mike session to keep everyone entertained.



Encouraging attendance, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin Barry McColgan said,

“Campa Náisiúnta 2009 will be an excellent weekend of education, development, camraderie building, and plenty of craic agus ceol. Many of the events will focus and pay testament to republican youth in struggle, in particular Na Fianna Eireann and the many Fians who give the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of an Irish Republic. The theme of ‘A Century of Youth in Struggle’ will be carried through to Bodenstown on the Sunday when Ógra Shinn Féin and young republican activists will form up in a Na Fianna contingent, with the Sun Burst’s flying high.”

“Previous youth camps have proved successful on educating young activists and instilling fresh ideas which they have brought back into their own area. They have also acted as a catalyst for building lasting friendships between activists and areas, and have even led to the development of Ógra cumann across Ireland. For these reasons and more I would encourage maximum attendance from all cumann, and encourage anyone interested in joining Ógra Shinn Féin to come along. Bígí Linn!”

For more information or if you are interested in attending please contact osfnational@yahoo.ie or phone 07885569940.