Women in Struggle Interview - Aoife McNaught

Gemma McKenna
Gender Equality Officer
Cuige Uladh Ógra Shinn Féin

To continue our series of Women in Struggle interviews, I have sat down with Derry Ógra Chairperson Aoife McNaught.

If you would like to suggest someone for an interview contact myself at uladh.equality@yahoo.com; or leave a comment.

How did you get interested in politics?

I have always had a keen interest in Irish history and politics since secondary school but i started to take more of an interest in politics over a year ago, when I first joined Tóirsire republican youth; we then Re-Organised and in October 2007 when we became an Ógra Shinn Féin Cumann.

Were you involved in politics before getting involved in Ógra?

No, but since I joined Toirsire which became an Ógra Shinn Féin cumann I have become more involved in politics.

How did you find out or know about Ógra Shinn Fein?

A friend of mine was in Toirsire she knew I had a keen intrest in Irish history and politics and she asked me along to a meeting. I then became a member of toirsire and eventually Ógra

Has your interest in politics come your family influence? And How?

Yes I would say my interest in politics has come from my family. This is because members of my family have been invloved in the Irish struggle and been put in jail. My father is a former republican prisoner and blanket man.

What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in Ógra?

If I wasn't a member of Ógra I dont think I would be invovled in anything political. I feel that being in Ógra is a great thing for all young republicans to become involved in as it gives us the chance to come together and get polticaly involved and to socilise with other young republicans.

What recent actions have Ógra taken in your area?

Ógra Shinn Féin doire have been involved in many things
such as :

Protests
Petitions
Hosting Republican Youth Weekends
Helping to organise marches
Educational trips
Ogranising fundrasing events

What do you like most about Ógra Shinn Féin?

What I like most about Ógra is that it is a group where young republicans can come together to meet and disscus issues that are relevant to young pepole and are society; and to take action no matter how small it is i.e handing out leaflets, protests or petitions.

I also like the weekends that Ógra organise because it gives a chance for all Ógra members from around Ireland to meet up, and build comradery and friendships.

Have you any major achievements within Ógra or things that you will remember for a long time to come?

One of the major achievements that Ógra Shinn Féin Doire acomplished, was organising and leading the National Hunger Strike Rally. We organised a weekend of events and Ógra members throughout Ireland came to take part. It was a great privilige.

What do you enjoy doing outside of Politics?

I enjoy lots of things such as meeting up with friends, shopping, going to the pictures and socialising at the weekend.

How do you think you make politics relevant to young people and what are the major pressing issues for young people?

Highlighting issues that are relvant to youths such as budget cuts to are education, university fees, sucide prevention, alchol and drugs, housing and job prospects e.t.c

If there was one issue you could get young people active on, what would it be?

The issue I feel would be suicide, drug and alchol awareness to make more young people in our society aware of all the facts.

What issue is your cumainn active on currently?

We have just finished doing a petition for the free Pól Brennan campagin. We are still active on the green postbox campagin and we are in the middle of ogranising an event around Women throughout our struggle.

Who has been a role model for you politically ?

There have been many role modles, Mairead Farrel, Ethel Lynch, and Martina Anderson

Quickfire Round:

Favourite Food:
chinese
Favourite Drink:
lilt
Favourite Music / Artist:
pop
rnb
irish rebel music

Favourite songs :
the ledgend
willy n danny
george n pop
rihannas- disturba
pinks- so what

“Favourite Films:
H3
in the name of the father
step up
save the last dance
Favourite Book:
nor meakly serve my time
cecila aherns p.s. i love you

Favourite Holiday resort:
Turkey

Person most influential in your life:
My Parents

Person you would like to meet (living)
nelson mandela

Person you would like to meet (deceased)
Mairead Farrel
If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?

more money to be put into are education system
more invested in to improving are helath system
better job opportunites