Comhairle na nÓg.

On Monday the nineteenth of October, six transition year students attended the annual North Clare Comhairle na nÓg assembly which was being hosted in the Bellbridge House Hotel in Spanish Point. As this was an ‘In Service’ day which the remainder of the school had as a day off we got to the meeting by the Comhairle na nÓg bus which was collecting students from surrounding schools also. The bus arrived at nine thirty and we set off towards West Clare with many other students from various other schools. We arrived at the Bellbridge House Hotel at around ten o’clock where we were greeted by all of the Comhairle na nÓg volunteers and organisers. It would be fair to say that many of us young people did not know exactly what to expect from the meeting but were interested in learning regardless. At first a lot of us were not familiar with one another so we carried out a few ‘ice breaker’ challenges which helped us mingle outside of our school groups. We were divided into different groups where we discussed issues that what we, young people, feel are important. These issues included poverty, sexism, racial prejudice and poverty throughout Ireland and the lack of help given to those in need. Later we were asked what issues affect us in our local communities as young people and there proved to be many of these such as poor facilities in rural areas and lack of public transport. There were a few powerpoint presentations given by the workers of Care Youth Service and then a lunch where we got the chance to further discuss any issues. Overall it was a great day and a great opportunity to represent the young people of this generation and learn that it is us that can make changes in the society of the future.

Article written by Eva Guinane