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Ogra Shinn Fein is the youth wing of Sinn Fein. Organised throughout Ireland they are by far the most
active youth wing of any political party on the island. Ogra Shinn Fein is open to anybody between the
ages of 16 and 25. Ogra activities centre around education and mobilisation, all based on the demand
for National Independence and Socialism and for Young peoples rights within society.
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There are more than 50 Ogra Shinn Fein groups throughout Ireland and this number is increasing all the
time. The activities of a local OSF group varies from area to area and can range from discussions, debates
and other educational events to mobilisation in the form of protests, rallies and direct action.
It is this ability to mobilise that makes Ogra Shinn Fein different from any other political youth wing.
Young Republicans are continuously discussing and formulating policies in relation to youth issues and
are also promoting them on the streets of our towns and villages.
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Party leader, Gerry Adams addressing the Ogra Sinn Fein annual congress. It is at the Ogra congress
that many of the Sinn Fein policies concerning young people are formulated. Unlike other parties which
often seem out of touch with the feelings of young people, Sinn Fein believes that as a party, it must
listen to the youth of the country, and allow them to participate in decisions which directly affect
them.
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The governing body of Ogra Shinn Fein is the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, at which OSF is represented by fifteen
delagates.
Ogra Shinn Fein is also represented on the Sinn Fein Ard Comhairle, on all Comhairle
Cuigi, and on all Comhairle Ceanntair and cumainn where it is active.
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Ogra Shinn fein activists in each region appoint their own officer board to oversee the development
of the organisation.
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The national activies, structure and organisation of Ogra Shinn Fein are determined by its National
Congress which is held annually and to which all activists are entitled to attend and vote. It is the
role of the National Executive to implement the decisions of the Congress.
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The National Executive consists of the following positions. National organiser, Development officer,
Education officer, Secretary, Mobilisation officer, Finance officer, Irish Language officer, Publicity
officer, International officer and seven other members who are elected at the National Congress.
Each Cuige region also elects three representatives to the Executive.
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Matt Carthy, National Chairperson Ogra Sinn Fein
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Matt is also an urban district councillor in Carrickmacross, in Co. Monaghan. At 23 he is one of the
youngest councillors in the country.
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Primary issues for Ogra Shinn Fein
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- National Indepenence and Socialism
- Effective political representation for young people
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Equality for all
- Anti-Rascism
- Tackling the drugs epidemic
- Promotion of the Irish Language
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