GALLERY: Leitrim Youth Council meets in Carrick-on-Shannon

A meeting of Leitrim’s youth council, the Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg, was held at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon in October.

Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg serves as an official advisory and consultative forum for young people to identify and discuss issues of importance and provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of services, policies and decisions that directly impact them, on a local and national level.

The event took place on the 19th of October, with a welcome from the Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator, Lola Jones Cassidy and an opening speech from the Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Councillor Mary Bohan.

The day was hosted by Comhairle na nÓg members Fionn McWeeney, Ciara Conway Knight and Shakar Ali, informing young people of what Comhairle na nÓg represents for young people and how they can get involved.

The Annual Youth Conference offered young people from schools across Leitrim a forum in which they could discuss a number of issues that affect them and vote on the most important topic at the end of the day. The young people identified three main topics of importance, which were Facilities, Transport and the Cost of Living. Through productive discussions with their peers, they identified the main issues, the barriers to addressing these issues and some potential solutions.

The event was attended by a number of Leitrim County Council members so they could gain an insight into the voices and opinions of young people in Leitrim.

Among those present were Cathaoirleach Mary Bohan, Councillor Paddy Farrell, Councillor Seán McGowan, Councillor Maeve Reynolds, Healthy County Coordinator Áine Dutton and Local Community Safety Coordinator Angela Waldron.

Also present was Emer McFadden from Mental Health Ireland, Enda Lyons and Donnacha Holmes representing the Leitrim Sports Partnership, and Michelle Durkin, Child and Youth Participation Worker with Sligo/Leitrim CYPSC and Leitrim County Childcare Committee, respectively.

Cathaoirleach Mary Bohan noted that a topic that has been focused on in Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg over the last number of years was mental health. She stated that “plans are progressing to establish the youth mental health service, Jigsaw, across Sligo and Leitrim.

Jigsaw provides early intervention support for young people aged 12 to 25 and, once operational, will help address an important gap in mental health supports for young people, in County Leitrim.” Plans to develop Jigsaw in Sligo and Leitrim were campaigned for by Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg’s own Ciara Conway Knight, who was an important voice for young people across the county.

National Executive Fionn McWeeney and Comhairle na nÓg member Shakar Ali spoke of their experiences in Comhairle na nÓg and the importance of young people getting involved in important discussions in decision-making. At this year’s Annual Youth Conference, the main topic voted on by young people present was the “Cost of Living” which will be the topic of focus for the Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg in 2026/2027.

Cathaoirleach Mary Bohan encouraged all young people to get involved with Comhairle na nÓg, stating: “I encourage you all to engage in productive conversations with your peers, share your unique perspective and advocate for change in issues that affect the young people of Leitrim the most. Your voice is your power, don’t be afraid to speak up for what you believe in.”

For further information on Comhairle na nÓg, or any young person interested in getting involved, please email [email protected]