50 Years And Growing…

In 1969 Conradh na Gaeilge made a decision that there was a need to provide services to the young people of the country through Irish. This decision was made on the basis of research that was carried out a few years previously. Ógras was founded in November 1969. Tomás Ó hEochaidh was employed as Ógras's youth officer to carry out the organisation's work - establishing clubs, organising events, developing a constitution for the new organisation, etc., and this went very well.

National events were organised around the country: The Ógras Olympics, an assembly at Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Debates, Summer Camps and even a few international events as the years went by. Tomás ensured that Ógras was part of Comhairle Náisiúnta na nÓg - the umbrella group for youth organisations in the country. At one point a group of representatives from Ireland, about five of which were from Ógras, attended the International Youth Festival in Moscow, Russia, and Tomás was the one overlooking the group. According to the stories that have been passed down, they had a brilliant time.

There followed a period of growth and development for clubs in this age group, and many new clubs were established in areas where Ógras clubs were already flourishing, as well as areas where there had previously not been an Ógras club of any kind before.

Óg-Ógras was established in 1988, for children 8-13 years of age. Official recognition was given to Óg-Ógras in 1988 when they received a grant from the Dept. of Education for the first time, to appoint an Óg-Ógras officer. There followed a period of growth and development for clubs in this age group, and many new clubs were established in areas where Ógras clubs were already flourishing, as well as areas where there had previously not been an Ógras club of any kind before.

A program of events is set out for Óg-Ógras each year, as is the case for Ógras. Day trips are organised in each province before Christmas and around March each year. In some areas, clubs also organise a sports day, that is organised along the lines of Cluichí Tailteann Ógras , except the kids do not spend the night away from home. A large number of Óg-Ógras members stay in the organisation and progress to Ógras Clubs when they reach that age.

Tomás Ó hEochaidh, founder of Ógras and first Ógras Youth Officer at ag our 50 Year celebrations in 2019

Five Ógras members who were part of a delelgation at the World Youth Festival in Moscow, Russia in 1985