Cúige Uladh Organiser
Ógra Shinn Féín
2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Na Fianna Éireann, the first republican youth movement, and we in Cúige Uladh have worked tirelessly to ensure that a fitting tribute was given to the young republicans who went before us. Not just by commemorating and remembering, but by campaigning on the issues which affect todays youth, and by advancing that republican objective which Countess Markievicz and Bulmer Hobson sought to instil in the young people of 1909.
Before I go any further, I would like to pay tribute to Cúige Uladh’s former organiser Johnny McGibbon, who stepped down this year. As I’m sure all of you will agree Johnny was an outstanding organiser, and one to whom everyone here in the Cúige is indebted to. I know from personal experience in South Down that Johnny always provided the support and guidance I needed as he has done in areas throughout Uladh. We wish him the best of luck in his new role as Upper Bann organiser.
We in Ógra have always campaigned on the issue of human and civil rights, something which, as we on the island of Ireland know all too well, can be abused, and this was never more the case then the Israeli attacks on Palestine. In Uladh we organised and joined a number of protests, vigils, and talks in relation to this. We have campaigned for a boycott on Israeli goods and ensured that we showed solidarity with the people of Gaza.
This year our national campaign was “educate to be free” a campaign which focused on the most pressing issues in education, and allowed young republicans to voice their concerns on issues such as Irish language education, cost of living, tuition fees, 11+, budget cuts and student empowerment.
Here in Cuige Uladh we sent a delegation of activists to meet with Sinn Féin Education Minister Caitríona Ruane to discuss how Ógra could assist in the implementation of educational reforms in the six counties, we leafleted schools and colleges with literature around the campaign, and there were public talks held in places like Lurgan and Omagh. Education is and will continue to be an important issue in the future, and one which we will continue to work on.As always, Ógra has maintained strong ties with our comrades in the Basque Country, and campaigned on their behalf here in Uladh. We have held Basque solidarity days of action and will continue to campaign against the extradition of Iñaki de Juana and Arturo ‘Beñat’ Villanueva.
This year also saw a European election being held, and the successful election of Bairbre De Brun who topped the polls in the six counties. Ógra also played a role in this and everyone who participated should be commended.
A lot of our focus this year of course was about commemorating the 100th anniversary of Na Fianna Éireann, and I believe Uladh have strived to do this when and wherever possible. Murals commemorating fallen Fians now remind the youth of Strabane, Derry, and this weekend in Belfast of the young people who gave their lives so that they could have the rights they have today.Among the many republican youth weekends which Uladh have hosted there have been a number which concentrated on the theme of Na Fianna Éireann and 100 years of youth in struggle, most memorably, the Tyrone Hungerstrike Weekend, which coincided with the exact date of Na Fianna’s founding. Uladh is also honoured to host this successful National Congress on such a significant year, and we thank all of you for attending.
It is fitting, that this year, na Fianna‘s 100th anniversary, seen such growth here in the Cúige. We now have new cumainn established in Fermanagh, South Tyrone, Coalisland, and the soon to be launched South & East Belfast Ógra. To all of these areas, Maith thú.
Like always we can not rest on what we have. Next year I hope to see the establishment of new Cumainn across the cuige, and the rolling out of the cumann partnership scheme in order to increase activism. As always we will continue to campaign, recruit, and educate.
Go raibh Mile Maith agaibh.
Tiocfaidh Ar La!
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