Pictured at the Ógra Fianna Fáil national conference last weekend were: Malachy Hand, chairman, Roscommon Ógra Fianna Fáil, Tim Hayes, Managing Director, Hodson Bay Hotel, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Johnny O’Sullivan, Director, Hodson Bay Group. Photos: Eoin Healy (Athlone Photography).  

Ógra Fianna Fáil celebrates 50th anniversary at Athlone conference

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Hundreds of Ógra Fianna Fáil members gathered in the Hodson Bay Hotel for the Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference.

Ógra Fianna Fáil, the largest political youth movement in Ireland, was founded in 1975 by former Taoiseach Jack Lynch and then party General Secretary Séamus Brennan.

The conference was officially opened on Friday evening by Minister Jack Chambers who was introduced by Cllr Aengus O'Rourke and the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Malachy Hand, Chairman of Roscommon Ógra Fianna Fáil.

Hustings for the Central Officer Board Elections were chaired by Albert Dolan TD of Galway East. Leanne Mallen from Kildare was subsequently elected the new President of Ógra Fianna Fáil.

Saturday began with organisation and policy motions workshops chaired by Party General Secretary Seán Dorgan.

A number of panel discussions took place throughout the weekend, including a discussion on 'Ireland in an Uncertain World' chaired by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP, with panelists Minister for Higher Education James Lawless, Minister for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development, Dara Calleary, Sorcha Connolly of European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) and Professor Gary Murphy.

Pictured at the Hodson Bay Hotel where last weekend's Ógra Fianna Fáil national conference took place were: Malachy Hand; Minister Jack Chambers; Cllr Aengus O’Rourke; Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, Cathaoirleach Roscommon County Council; Cllr Sean Moylan; Tim Hayes; and Johnny O’Sullivan.

Another discussion on the 'Place of Youth in Fianna Fail: Reflecting on 50 yars of Ógra Fianna Fáil' was chaired by Dublin TD Shay Brennan with guests Bertie Ahern, Ryan O'Meara, Cllr Rachel Hartigan, Professor Eoin O'Malley, and Kate Feeney.

The weekend concluded with a Gala Dinner Banquet with a keynote address from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD.

There were approximately 250 voting delegates at the conference over the weekend, and about 50 to 70 observers also in attendance.

Roscommon Ógra Fianna Fáil Members Sean Kelly, Malachy Hand, Joseph Mullaney and Ryan Dolan.

Brideswell native Malachy Hand commented: "As Chairman of Roscommon Ógra Fianna Fáil I was delighted to welcome An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ministers, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and party supporters to Roscommon for a really successful Ógra Fianna Fáil National Youth Conference.

"Roscommon Ógra members were honoured to have won the bid to host such a significant national event," he added.

"Along with commemorating 50 years since the organisation was founded, the conference allowed members to debate and develop policy on a range of issues which affect young people and their communities.

"I wish to thank all those involved in organisation of this national event. A special thank you to Johnny O'Sullivan, Tim Hayes and all the team at the Hodson Bay Hotel for facilitating this conference."

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