Louth County Council, in partnership with An Coimisiún Toghcháin (The Electoral Commission), welcomed over 45 student council members from secondary schools across Drogheda to the Civic Offices on Fair Street for a dynamic and inspiring workshop focused on voting and civic engagement in Ireland. The event aimed to empower young people to take an active role in shaping their communities and the country by understanding the importance of registering to vote and participating in elections.
Cllr Michelle Hall, Mayor of Drogheda, opened the workshop by sharing her journey into politics and encouraging students to take an active role in shaping their communities. “Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to influence change, and it’s never too early to start engaging with civic life. Workshops like this are vital in helping young people understand that their voice matters—not just when they turn 18, but right now, through their involvement in student councils and community initiatives.”
She continued: “Student councils are more than just school committees—they’re a training ground for future leaders. Today, I was inspired by the energy and ideas these students brought to the table. Their commitment to encouraging their peers to register and vote shows that the next generation is ready to take ownership of Ireland’s future.”
Students from Drogheda Youth Reach, Our Lady’s College Greenhills, Ballymakenny College, St Oliver’s Community College, and St Joseph’s Secondary School Drogheda, pictured with teacher, Thomas Dorian, from Ballymakenny College; Sarah Keaveney, An Coimisiún Toghcháin; Cllr Michelle Hall, Mayor of Drogheda; Susan Deery, Louth County Council, Aoife O’Sullivan, An Coimisiún Toghcháin; and Seamus Byrne An Coimisiún Toghcháin, at a voting and civic engagement workshop hosted by Louth County Council in collaboration with An Coimisiún Toghcháin at Drogheda Civic Offices, Fair Street.
The workshop featured interactive sessions, including a lively Q&A with representatives from An Coimisiún Toghcháin. Students brainstormed creative ways to encourage their classmates to register to vote and discussed the barriers young people face in engaging with politics and voting.
Sarah Keaveney, Education and Public Engagement, An Coimisiún Toghcháin commented on the insights gained from the workshop saying: “Since the last general election, nearly 60,000 young people across Ireland have turned 18, yet many may not be registered to vote in the upcoming Presidential Election. The students offered incredible insight into how we can best address this and how we can encourage other young people to register and show up on polling day. Today’s workshop was the first of its kind, and we hope to replicate it nationwide.”
Susan Deery, Administrative Officer with Louth County Council, emphasized the importance of registering early saying:
“Every day, young people across the county become eligible to vote, but if they’re not registered, their voice is left out of the decision-making process. You can register early to vote—even at 16 or 17—so that on your 18th birthday, you’re automatically added to the register. All you need is your PPS number and Eircode and you can go to checktheregister.ie and in five minutes, you’re ready to make your voice heard.”
The deadline to register to vote or update your details on the register of electors ahead of the Presidential Election is Tuesday, 7th October. For more visit www.checktheregister.ie.
