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Record Turn-out of young people at Sligo Comhairle na nÓg AGM

The 8th Sligo Comhairle na nÓg AGM hosted by the County Sligo Development Board and Foroige took place in the Clarion Hotel on the 13th October, where young people from around the County were invited to attend, to express their views on topics deemed to be important by them. Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh is a County Sligo Development Board Project, involving a working partnership between Sligo County Council, County Sligo VEC and Foróige. Set up as part of the National Children’s Strategy (2000), Comhairle na nÓg provides a forum for young people to discuss local and national issues of relevance to them. 

There was 120 enthusiastic young people present at this years AGM, making it the highest turn-out to date, with representatives from 11 secondary schools and 8 youth clubs/organisations in County Sligo. i102-104fm radio broadcasted live from the event adding great excitement to the day.

The entire Comhairle na nOg for 2009 – 2010
The entire Comhairle na nOg for 2009 – 2010


The first topic up for discussion in the morning workshops was Alcohol & Drug Use – this topic was readdressed following last years AGM as the young people feel it a serious matter facing our youth today. The second workshop took the form of an open debate with those present putting forward their views on various youth issues such as Mental Health, Bullying, Road Safety & Youth Facilities. The topics raised will form part of Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh’s work plan and will inform the Comhairle na nÓg ‘s Youth Manifesto which is being developed for the coming year.  The information generated at the workshops will be compiled and reported to Sligo County Council and Borough Council along with other relevant agencies.  On a national level, feedback from the Sligo AGM will be given to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) and to Dáil na nÓg with the hope of effecting positive change for young people in County Sligo.

The AGM also featured democratic elections to fill vacant seats on Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh. For many of the young people present, this was their first time to vote.  Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh aims to replicate Sligo  County Council membership in terms of number of councillors and its electoral areas.  Elections took place on the day for all electoral areas.  Every young person in attendance had a vote and could run for election if they wished to do so.  Youth councillors serve a two-year term on the Comhairle na nOg, during which they act as the collective voice of young people in County Sligo lobbying on a range of issues affecting young people today.  Five members of Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh were also elected to represent Sligo at the Annual Dáil na nÓg Event in Dublin in March 2010.

Mayor of Sligo, Councillor Jim McGarry and the Chairperson of Sligo County Development Board, Councillor Tony McLoughlin were in attendance to hear the feedback. They congratulated newly elected members and encouraged the youth councillors to keep up their good work.

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Top left : Cllr Tony McLoughlin, Chair CDB, Aisling Smyth, Community And Enterprise, Gavin Cawley, Chair of Sligo Youth Counciland Bottom Right: Young Voter at the Comhairle na nÓg AGM Event’

Elaine Granaghan, Comhairle na nÓg Youth Officer with Foróige said it was encouraging to see so many of Sligo’s Youth in attendance on the day as it is vital that young people speak out and be heard as an influential voice in local and national decision making processes. This in turn gives them the support to actively participate in what affects them, today and in the future. Special thanks to all who helped out on the day, including the team from iRadio, Foroige, Sligo County Council and County Sligo VEC. Thanks to the Clarion Hotel and also to Tesco Sligo who sponsored fruit for the morning break.

For further details on Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh, contact Elaine Granaghan – 086 0497089 or log on to www.comhairlenanog.ie or www.sligococo.ie

Newly Elected Members:

Sligo/Strandhill Area

  • Aaron Gaughan
  • Sinead Reilly
  • Cian Tuohy
  • Hayden Cawley
  • Leah Hayes
  • Muireann Morrissey

Sligo/Drumcliffe Area

  • Clara McSharry
  • Thomas Waters
  • David Murtagh
  • Ballymote Area
  • Varsha Murthy
  • Aoife Loftus
  • Monique Flately

Tubbercurry Area

  • Michael Birt

Enniscrone Area

  • Brid McGowan
  • Michael Conway
  • Niamh Burns


Dail na nÓg Representatives

  • Caoimhe Hough
  • John Feeney
  • Lorcan Feeney
  • Aaron Waldron
  • Seamus Costello

 Comhairle na nÓg AGM Report