Representatives from Galway city and county joined over 400 of their peers – all aged between twelve and seventeen – to offer Taoiseach Michaél Martin and other decision makers an insight into the view of the next generation.

They were in Dublin Castle for the Comhairle na nÓg National Showcase 2025, which as also attended by the Taoiseach as well as Minister Norma Foley, members of Government and Senior Government Officials – all engaging directly with young people on the issues that matter most to them.

Galway County Council was represented by Hannah Price-Li from Loughrea, Sarah Ann Buday from Tuam, Cathal O’Raghallaigh from Oranmore, and Karla Clancy from Cahercrin, Craughwell.

Galway City Council was represented by David Naumov, Rory Healy Lambe, Elliot KiKi. Yasmin Neche, Conor Jennings, David Asztlos, Aine Forde, Jenneth Hession, Rachel Jennings, Eve Kelly and Sharon Griffin..

One of the four County Council nominees, Karla Clancy, shared their perspective after the experience.

“Showcase inspires young people to take action on issues that matter to them and shape the future,” she said.

“It’s great that TD’s and Ministers are there and other Comhairli from across the country. County Galway Comhairle na nOg is working on Youth Mental Health and how Homework, Teachers Awareness and Social Media can affect this,” she added.

Sharon Griffin from Galway City Comhairle na nÓg shared her group’s perspective.

“Galway City Comhairle na nÓg is delighted to attend the Showcase this year and to meet with all the other Comhairlí to share information on our topic for this year which is “Safety” and to hear from other Comhairlí also about their hard work. We hope to speak to the decision makers who support Comhairle in all the work we do,” she said.

Hosted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), the biannual Showcase provided a vital platform for the 31 Comhairle na nÓg groups to present their work and connect directly with decision-makers on policies that impact their lives.

The Showcase highlighted the power of youth-led action and demonstrated how young people are influencing policy development at local and national levels.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised the event, pointing out that Comhairle na nÓg provided young people across the country with the opportunity to have their voices heard.

“It is of the utmost importance that we consider their inputs, and keep their futures in mind, in all of our Government’s work,” he said.

The Comhairle na nÓg National Showcase 2025 at Dublin Castle proved to be an inspiring, thought-provoking, and impactful event that celebrated the power of youth participation in Ireland today.

Pictured: Galway representatives Sarah Ann Buday from Tuam and Cathal O’Raghallaigh from Oranmore with Taoiseach Michaél Martin and Minister Norma Foley at Comhairle na nÓg’s National Showcase.