Women in Struggle Interview with Caoimhe Sloan

Gemma McKenna
National Gender Equality Officer
Ógra Shinn Féin

18 year old Caoimhe Sloan from Kilbarry in County Meath has just recently become North Leinster Organiser for Ógra Shinn Féin. Caoimhe is currently studying History, Irish, Irish Studies and Politics in NUI Galway and has a keen interest in music, the GAA especially the Meath team and the players, the Irish language and obviously politics.

Caoimhe has been an active member of Ógra since the age of 15, holding various roles at a national level, and a passionate advocate of the Irish language.

Caoimhe comes from a republican family, and her uncle Fian Michael Sloan was killed on 11th January 1972, who has provided inspiration to her throughout her life.



How did you get interested in politics?

Through my Mother, who has been a Sinn Féin activist for over 30 years. I grew up in a republican family and from an early age I regularly visited POW’s in Portlaoise Prison.

I never realised that I was interested in poltics as I had just persumed for many years that most families had the life that mine did, but i soon realised that wasn’t the case.

It was only when I began secondary school, I soon discovered that people did not share my beliefs and opinions on the north and I found myself continously defending Sinn Féin. It was then that I truely became interested in the political aspect of the republican movement, and I wanted to make a difference in my community.

Were you involved in politics before getting involved in Ógra?

Yes, I have grown up surrounded by politics, so I have always been politically aware. I have never missed an Árd Fheis and I attended my first one when I was six weeks old. From an early age I helped my local cumann with leaflet drops.

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

I found out about Ógra Shinn Féin from being at other Sinn Féin meetings and through their campaigns and hearing about the many activities that Ógra were involved in.

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

Yes very much so, my father is from Ballymurphy, and had been interned at the age of 17 and both him and my uncle escaped from Crumlin Road gaol in 1981. My Mother has been an activist for over 30 years and has been working for An Phoblacht for more than 20 years.

So politics has always been a key factor in our family, it was an obvious step for me to become involved in the republican movement

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

I am sure i would be involved within Sinn Féin in my local area and be active within my community, and working to promote the use of the Irish language.

How has Ogra influenced your life?

Ógra has had a major impact on my life,.it has made me more politically aware and made me realise that many other countries face similar difficulties with oppression such as Corsica and the Basque Country. I have many friends around the country from Carrickmore to Cork. It also has made me aware of the issues facing many young people such as suicide awareness and road safety.

What impact does Ogra have on your local area?

Ógra has had a major impact in my local area as we have engaged with young people on the issues of road safety and suicide awareness. We also have helped many young people to register to vote as we feel it is vitally important for young people to express their opinions and have a voice.We have also made young people aware of the difficulties countries such as the Basque country and Palestine are facing and asking them to show their support.

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

I have been a member of the National executive since 2006 which I am very grateful for and realise that we have a great amount of work to do to achieve a United Ireland.

What do you enjoy doing outside of Politics?

I love watching and playing GAA and enjoy socialising with my friends at the weekend and spending time with my family and travelling.

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

In my opinion you have to engage with them and you have to get them involved. Every area has a different problems, that we as republican activists must take upon ourselves to campaign on, and involve Ógra in our local communities to achieve change. Ógra have campaigned on issues which have a direct effect on the lives of the young people of this Island, major issues such as suicide, drugs and alcohol awareness and road safety are relevant to young people. At the moment the biggest issue in the 26 counties is the government’s attempt to re-intoduce fees for university which will affect most of our young population.

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

It would definatley be the issue of road safety as I feel very passionate about it and I myself have lost one of my best friends due to a car accident. I wish young people would realise that speeding is dangerous and that they are not only putting their life at risk but also putting innocent pedestrians and other drivers at risk. This is especially relevent to young men as they are affected more due to peer influence from their friends.

What issue is your cumainn active on currently?

My cumann is currently active on the issue of opposing the re-introduction of student fees in the free state and how we can tackle it, as it would deny many young people accross the 26 counties third level education due to their social background.

Who has been a role model for you political?

My Mam, Pádraig Pearse and Mairead Farrell.

What female has most influenced you?

Most definately my mother

Quickfire Round

Favourite Food:

Spaghetti Bolognese

Favourite Drink;

Westcoast cooler (“,)

Favourite Music / Artist:

Westlife, Snow Patrol, Christina Aguleria, Kings Of Leon, the Coronas, The Blizzards, Pink, James Morrison, the Killers.

Favourite songs:

The Ballad of Mairead Farrell, Run with the wild Horses, Hurt, The Foggy Dew, Sean South

Favourite Films:

The Notebook, The wind that shakes the barley, H3, The Green Mile, How to loose a guy in 10 days

Favourite Book:

Bobby Sands Nothing But An Unfinished Song

Favourite travel destination:

Greece, Basque Country

Person most influential in your life:

My mother and Grandmother

Person you would like to meet (living);

Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro

Person you would like to meet (deceased);

Pádraig Pearse and Bobby Sands

If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?

- I would definately change the way in which the Irish language is taught to students, to be based more on the speaking of the language.
- I would extend representation in the Dail to include Northern representatives.
- I would have free education and health for every citizen

Any other comments:

Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam!!