PICTURE: Over 100 young people in Tipperary gather for annual youth conference

Over one hundred young people from across County Tipperary came together at the Comhairle na nÓg Annual Youth Conference 2025 in Thurles for a day full of energy, debate, and fun.

The event, coordinated by project lead Declan Burgess, brought students aged 12–18 together to discuss key issues affecting young people in Tipperary and to elect a new Youth Council for the year ahead.

Outgoing Chairpersons Ben Kennedy (Borrisokane Community College) and Chloe Duggan (Presentation Clonmel) opened the day, welcoming participants and reflecting on their time leading the council.

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Highlights included an inspiring keynote address from Marie Gleeson, 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.

Young delegates also took part in interactive workshops on drug awareness, creativity, and youth voice, facilitated by Sergeant Ray Moloney, Caleb Barrett, and Youth Work Tipperary's Hernan & Vivian.

Following the workshops, a new Youth Council was elected and will be led by Chairpersons Eoin Tarpey (Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Thurles) and Irina Pojar (St. Anne’s, 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.

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Certificates of participation were presented by former member and now Local Cllr. Mairín McGrath, to those young people who finished up as a member of Comhairle.

“It’s fantastic to see so many young people come together to share ideas, make connections, and shape the future of youth voice in Tipperary.”

Photo caption: James Holmes from Abbey Tipp, April Slevin from Borrisokane CC, Ben Kennedy from Borrisokane CC, Abi Cummins Strappe from Cashel CS, Jerry Gearon from Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Olivia D'Arcy from Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Eoin Tarpey from Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Jamie Blake from Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Eoin O'Reilly from Comeragh College Carrick on Suir, Daniel Ryan O'Gorman from Nenagh CBS, Chloe Duggan from Presentation Clonmel, Lauren Duggan from Presentation Clonmel, Vasillisa Kichka from St. Ailble's Tipp, Kaleb Ryan from St. Ailble's Tipp, Oleksii Tsemenko from St. Ailble's Tipp, Niamh OBrien from St. Anne's Tipperary, Aoibhe Kelly from St. Mary’s Nenagh, Ellie Chadwick from St. Mary’s Nenagh, Lauren Duggan from St. Mary’s Nenagh, Eabha Cahill from Ursuline Thurles, Jessica Fogarty from Ursuline Thurles, Neasa Moloney from St. Ailble's Tipp, Maria Dragan from St. Anne's Tipperary, Ciara Hyland from St. Anne's Tipperary, Gemma Mulcahy from St. Mary’s Nenagh, Katie Forde from Nenagh College, Ben Parker from Nenagh College, Kate Sullivan from St. Mary’s Nenagh, James Strang from Patrician Fethard, Billy Beary from Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Aoibhe Clancy from Presentation Clonmel, Erin Duggan from Presentation Clonmel, Cassidy Bradshaw from Scoil Ruain Killenaule, Caoimhe Ryan from Presentation Thurles, Amy Reidy from Ursuline Thurles, Emily Baggot Odwyer from Ursuline Thurles, Eva Barrett from Presentation Thurles, Ava Killane from Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed, and Oisin Brophy from CBS Thurles. Photo's by Caleb Barrett Tipperary.