Students from Tipperary Town and Thurles schools elected to lead county's youth council
Tipperary Comhairle na nÓg's new chairpersons Eoin Tarpey of Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Thurles and Irina Pojar of St. Anne’s in Tipperary Town were elected at the council's annual conference in Thurles
More than 100 young people from across county Tipperary gathered at the Comhairle na nÓg Youth Conference for 2025 in Thurles on November 7 for a day full of energy, debate, and fun.
The event, coordinated by project lead Declan Burgess, brought students aged 12–18 together at the TUS Campus discuss key issues affecting young people in Tipperary and to elect a new Youth Council for the year ahead.
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Outgoing chairpersons Ben Kennedy of Borrisokane Community College and Chloe Duggan of Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel opened the conference, welcoming participants and reflecting on their time leading the council.
Highlights included an inspiring keynote address from Marie Gleeson, who is a former Irish Naval captain, alongside presentations from Planet Youth’s Marian Daly and Lisa McGrath of Tipperary ETB, who spoke about youth spaces across the county.
Delegates also took part in interactive workshops on drug awareness, creativity and youth voice, facilitated by Garda Sergeant Ray Moloney, Caleb Barrett, and Youth Work Tipperary representatives Hernan Tena Cortes and Vivian Lakatos.
Following the workshops, a new Youth Council was elected and will be led by Chairpersons Eoin Tarpey of Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Thurles and Irina Pojar of St. Anne’s in Tipperary Town.
For 2026 they will work on projects and initiatives such as positive mental health, exam stress, climate action and representing young people at various forums.
Certificates of participation were presented by former members, including Cllr Mairín McGrath, to those young people who completed their term as a member of Comhairle na nÓg.
Comhairle na nÓg youth councils give young people all over Ireland the chance to have their voices heard on the issues affecting their lives, both today and in the future.
Comhairle na nÓg is recognised as the official structure by the Government for young people to participate in the development of policies and services. This ensures young people are included in shaping policies and services.
Tipperary’s Comhairle na nÓg has 40 members and 18 new members were elected to the council at the conference.