Hi there, my name is Abby, and I’m proud to represent Kildare Comhairle na nÓg at the National Youth Assembly 2025/2026.

I joined the Assembly because I’m really passionate about youth activism and making sure young people’s voices are heard. When I first heard about it, I just knew I had to give it my all! I’ll admit, I thought everyone would be in suits, but in reality, we’re all so alike and share the same goal: creating change for our future. So far, I’ve been most passionate about the Online Health Assembly. It was my first time being part of a YAG, and I got the opportunity to engage directly with Ministers like Norma Foley and speak about issues I really care about, like children’s rights and online health.

Being part of the Assembly has helped me grow so much. I’ve developed my speech writing and public speaking skills, and getting to speak in front of the Government for the first time was such a proud moment, it made me feel really confident and capable. One of the best parts of this experience has been the people. I genuinely see the other delegates as my second family. Everyone is so supportive, and it’s such a welcoming space where you can truly be yourself. I’ve made so many friends, honestly, I could walk into a room and probably know someone straight away! Working with young people from across Ireland has really opened my eyes to different perspectives, especially when it comes to things like transport. It’s interesting to see how experiences can vary so much depending on where you live.

I truly believe the Assembly is making a difference, especially through raising awareness and sharing our work. It’s amazing to see how our voices are contributing to real conversations and change. One funny memory that always makes me laugh is from our first Assembly trip, our Luas broke down, so we all got off and started walking… only to see it drive past us a few minutes later! We ended up sprinting to catch the next one (well… some of us ran more than others. 😂)

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: put yourself out there! Opportunities like this don’t come around often, so speak up, share your ideas, and make the most of every moment.

And of course… Beyoncé (our unofficial mascot) is already ready for another year of Assemblies!