A young music teacher from Achill has won the award of best new speaker at the Ógra Fianna Fáil conference in Sligo at the weekend.
Conall MacNamara was one of some 500 young people to attend the Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference in Rosses Point. He contributed to debates on youth mental health, youth unemployment, and the future of Fianna Fáil.
The two day event culminated in the election of Ógra Fianna Fáil’s first directly elected female president. Twenty-seven-year-old accountant from Sligo, Kate Feeney will lead the party’s youth wing and take her seat on the Fianna Fáil Ard Comhairle. Enda Costello from Louisburgh was also elected as the new national membership officer for Ógra Fianna Fáil.
Ms Feeney has vowed to work with party leader Micheál Martin on strengthening the voice of younger members within Fianna Fáil at both local and national level. “Ógra Fianna Fáil must take charge of its title as the largest youth political organisation in the country. This is a pivotal time in our party’s history and our input as younger members has never been so important. We must strengthen our role in third level institutions, in communities, and in the party at a national level,” Ms Feeney said.
The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin added, “I have been hugely impressed by the passion and commitment of the candidates at this year’s National Youth Conference. The level of engagement, energy, and positivity from the hundreds of members who attended the conference is extremely encouraging. Great credit is due to the candidates, their canvassing teams, and to all of the Ógra members involved in what was a fantastic event.
“I look forward to working with Kate, Enda, and the new team to strengthen the voice of Ógra Fianna Fáil at all levels within our organisation.”
