Kerry Comhairle na nÓg Conference 2025

Kerry’s Young Voices Unite at Annual Youth Conference

Over 150 students from every corner of Kerry came together in Tralee for the 2025 Kerry Comhairle na nÓg Annual Youth Conference, a dynamic day of discussion, learning, and collaboration. The event highlighted the importance of communication between young people, schools, and communities — providing a unique space for students aged 12 to 18 to share ideas, explore issues that matter to them, and gain insight into the experiences of their peers across the county.

From mental health to youth participation, the conference encouraged open dialogue and cross-county understanding, showing just how powerful it can be when young people’s voices are not only heard but acted upon.

Hosted at the Rose Hotel, the Youth Council presented to student delegates and public representatives the work they had done over the past year which focused on youth mental health. In June, the Comhairle launched a survey that received hundreds of responses. It gathered valuable data, which was presented at the conference. They then created infographics with tips for young people struggling with their mental health. 5,000 of these were printed and distributed to all secondary schools in Kerry.

The Comhairle outlined what its strategy was for 2025, including its vision for:

 “a county where the voices of young people are not only listened to, but acted upon”.

Members also highlighted the many events and projects they’ve been involved in, both locally and nationally, including consultations they’ve completed with Kerry County Council, the Department of Children, and even the European Commission.

A panel discussion on youth participation followed, with representatives from Kerry County Council, Kerry Education and Training Board, and the National Participation Office taking questions from young people, moderated by a Comhairle member. Councillor Jimmy Moloney, Head of the Irish Delegation to the Council of Europe’s Congress of Regional and Local Authorities, spoke about how the European-wide Congress recently adopted a charter on youth participation in local and regional life.

Delegates then discussed issues such as the lack of activities and places to go, bullying, housing and cost of living, school stress, and vaping. The conference concluded with a democratic vote on what issue Kerry Comhairle na nÓg will focus on for the coming year.

Several councillors and public representatives attended the event, including the Mayor of Tralee, Councillor Terry O’Brien, as well as Kerry TDs Danny Healy-Rae and Minister of State Micheal Healy-Rae, who spoke with students about the issues raised. Members of the Comhairle also met Minister for Higher Education James Lawless, who was in Kerry to open a new STEM building at MTU, as well as Kerry TD Micheal Cahill and Councillor Tommy Cahill.

Christian Gleasure, Steering Committee Representative and member of Kerry Comhairle na nÓg said:

“I felt that the day went extremely well, it was great to discuss the issues and also to see our public representatives engaged with young people and supporting our voices”

The Comhairle is now welcoming new members, aged 12 to 18. To find out more, contact Ray Matthews at raymatthews@kcys.ie.

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