Republican Youth Runs Laps for Charity

Members of Sinn Fein Republican Youth Cork are normally seen to be pounding the pavements with leaflets in their hands. However, this was not the case at the weekend. Alongside members of the Martin Hurson Cumann UCC, RY were out in force, with public representatives, to help raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.

A 24-hour relay race was hosted by the charity in the Mardyke Arena, UCC. It took place between Friday at 6pm right through ‘til Saturday afternoon. Societies from the college were asked to take part in the event. Sinn Fein was the only political party on campus to have entered a team.

The event was challenging but great fun all the same. Each team had to have a member on the track at all times. Republican Youth made sure at least two people were doing it to keep each other company. Members walked, ran, skipped and jogged laps of the track.

Throughout the course of the night, various games were played to keep things lively. Different laps were introduced including the “Congo Lap” and the “Piggy Back Lap”. Although they would rather be in bed, Republican Youth took part in the games.

During the night, paper bags with candles in them were lit. The bags had messages on them to survivors of people that had died from cancer. These bags lined the side of the track.

Despite the freezing cold winds and the long hours, Republican Youth kept going. Every member knew someone with cancer or who had it and was determined to raise money for the deserving charity. Although the fundraising is still ongoing, we have raised over 200 euro so far.

 

 

 

Clár na Comhdhála Náisiúnta!

With less than a week to go until the National Youth Congress Óige Phoblachtach has released the finalised clár! Hundreds of young people are set to participate in the weekend of activities. The discussions will range from the Irish language to the struggle internationally. Martin McGuinness will be closing the Comhdháil with his keynote address.


For further details contact Eoin McShane on eoinmcshane@yah­oo.ie. Bígí linn!

 

 

 

Theme – Uniting Ireland – Strategies and Visions

Aoine 1ú Márta

5pm: Arrival and Registration

 

5.30pm: Dinner

 

6pm: Seisiún 1: Promoting the Irish Language and Celebrating Cultural Diversity

 

9.30pm: Social Event with 'Spirit of Freedom'

 

Satharn 2ra Márta

10am: Seisiún 2: Reports and Motions (and election of incoming Youth Committee)

 

1pm: Lunch

 

1.30pm: Session 3: New Republics: For Catalonia and Ireland

 

2.30pm: Session 4: Equality, Parity of Esteem and Developing a Reconciliation Process

 

4pm: Closing keynote address by Martin McGuinness

 

Onwards and Upwards for SFRY Louth

Louth Sinn Féin Republican Youth has only been re-established in the past year. So it has been an upward struggle to get motivated and get active again. We have been involved with senior cumann in Louth and have been well represented at protests against budget cuts and child benefit. One of our protests made national news, with our very own Cathaoirleach Conall McGuill, Leas-Cathaoirleach Conor O’Neill and Cllr. Tomas Sharkey doing a rather convincing impression of Enda Kenny, Eamonn Gilmore and greedy bankers!

We have just had a meeting with our local TD, Gerry Adams, to form a clear plan for the upcoming months. A weekend has been organised to coincide with the Bodenstown commemoration and will be held in Omeath, Co. Louth – the first time the little village has been given such an opportunity to host so many young republicans. We are flat out planning and organising the weekend to ensure Louth Sinn Féin is well represented and a good time is had by all. We have a historical tour of the former gaeltacht area, and of Dundalk Gaol arranged as well as many other workshops and events. On Friday night, local musicians from Omeath will be having a traditional music session so we are hoping that anyone who can play will bring along an instrument and join in! We have another musician coming on Saturday night, and already there is a buzz in the area.

 

Following the planning meeting with Gerry Adams TD and Cllr. Edel Corrigan, we have also decided on a campaign to focus on for the next year – Suicide awareness and prevention. All our cumann members will be undertaking PIPS Suicide Prevention training and we aim to produce a simple leaflet with warning signs to look out for in family and friends, along with contact details of organisations that can help. A practical and very real way SFRY Louth can benefit the lives of young people and their communities. Suicide is an issue that is entirely preventable and yet is evident in every county in Ireland, north and south. This issue needs to be tackled and those who are having feelings of distress or despair need to be given the opportunity to reach out for support. The suicide taboo needs addressed sooner rather than later.

Gerry Adams, said at the meeting, “The suicide awareness campaign is a practical way to reach out to young people. It is an issue that is highly relevant in Louth, considering the number of deaths by suicide far outnumber the national average. Tá mé ag súil go mór le bheidh ag obair leis na daoine óga seo i contae Lú”.

Our members were equally pleased with the direction the cumann is going in. Conor Cusack, from Drogheda, said “I’m really looking forward to the coming months, I have only recently joined SF and am glad to be able to be involved in such an important campaign. I think everyone has been affected by suicide directly or indirectly so it is essential that people are made aware of any support that is available to them.”

From the meeting we have also decided to put forward one of our members to the National Youth Committee. SFRY Louth are very excited to nominate Conor O’Neill and know he will work extremely hard for Louth and Sinn Féin Republican Youth as a whole.

Gerry Adams tweeted following the meeting, “Met young people in Louth. Very impressed. Discussed suicide & youth unemployment. Mól an óige ‘s tiocfaidh sí!”.

SFRY Louth look forward to seeing you all in Omeath Friday 21^st- Sunday 23^rd of June!

If you are interested in getting in contact you can find us under Sfry Louth on Facebook.

 

Comhdháil Náisiúnta Óige Phoblactach 2013 – Bígí linn!

Óige Phoblachtach is set to hold its biggest event of the year; the National Congress, in Belfast from the 1^st – 2^nd of March. Over one hundred young republicans from across the country will converge on Belfast to partake in the weekend’s activities.

Motions will be debated and voted upon, giving all members the opportunity to have their say in Óige Phoblactach’s policies. 'Topics up for discussion will include the economy, social and cultural issues, youth affairs and much more besides. As well as debates there will be talks, international guests and a keynote address. A new National Youth Committee will also be elected from the floor. A night of craic will be provided by The Spirit of Freedom on the Friday night of the Comhdháil.

The deadline for booking forms and monies is next Tuesday the 19^th of February at 5pm. For booking forms or more information please contact Eoin McShane, at eoinmcshane@yah­oo.ie, or Martin O’Reilly, at oreillysf@gmail.com. Táille is only £25/ €30 which covers registration, 1 night accommodation, all meals, entrance into all events including the social night with 'The Spirit of Freedom'. Bígí Linn!

Queen's University Refreshers' Fair

Sinn Féin activists at the Refreshers' Fair

Queen's University Belfast's Sheena Campbell cumann  has started the new semester with a flurry of activity. After a successful initial meeting the cumann attracted many new members at their Refreshers’ Fair stall.

The Sheena Campbell Cumann’s chairperson Seán Bateson said: ‘We are delighted with the enthusiastic response we received and are very much looking forward to the new semester. We are hoping to host several talks and events over the next few months as well as a fundraiser. Our focus will be on International Women’s Day, LGBT rights as well as the Border Poll campaign. Our members will also be travelling to Mid-Ulster to give a hand to Francie Molloy in the by-election campaign.’

If anyone is interested in getting involved with the Queen’s University Cumann please contact them under ‘Queens Sinn Féin’ on Facebook. 

Bígí linn agus cabhraigh linn Poblacht nua a chruthú.