Offaly students attend Irish Secondary Students Union Annual assembly

The Banagher College Student Council members attended the ISSU’s (Irish Secondary Students Union) An Chomhdháil Bhliaintiúl (Annual assembly) 2023 on April 12th and 13th.

The event took place over two days. Day 1 was held over zoom, whereas day 2 was held in person in the Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin.

Day 1 started off with procedure approval and the election of the ballot committee. It also included a constitutional amendment and a sustainability student voice workshop.

Day 2 began at 9.30am in Liberty Hall, Dublin, with students travelling from all over the country to attend. The Banagher girls got the train from Tullamore at 7.45am, and arrived in Dublin around 8.45am before heading by the Luas from Heuston to Abbey Street, and with a brisk walk, made it to Liberty Hall.

This year is the 15th anniversary of the formation of the ISSU, with over 500 students attending. The day began with an orientation session, including stalls from StudyClix, SIPTU, Conradh na Gaeilge, Ógras and UCC’s Nurturing bright futures initiative. After orientation, and taking some photos, the students made their way to the auditorium where they listened to candidate speeches and hustings.

Minister of Education, Norma Foley, and secretary general of SIPTU, Joe Cunningham, also made an appearance and gave inspirational speeches. A Conradh na Gaeilge and Equality workshop helped to pass the day, while they waited for the results of the elections. As well as the results from the elections, which they were delighted with, the day ended with a closing ceremony. It was a brilliant experience, and we hope to return next year and get more involved.