*The following is a detailed account of the minutes of the Aos óg meeting which took place as part of the annual Munster convention of Comhaltas 2008* Colleges/Universities ============= We all agreed that most colleges and universities in Ireland were providing great opportunities to students to study Irish Traditional Music and song both formally and informally but despite this it is noted that there are a few colleges/universities which do not promote Irish Traditional Music and song as much as what they could do in their courses. This is an area that will need to be looked at to provide equal opportunities to all. TTCT ==== Regards the TTCT teachers training course, we feel there is a backlog here and maybe the course should be run more throughout the year in order to cater for a long list of applicants. Also at the meeting it was mentioned that the teachers who qualified from the TTCT course run in 2006 did not receive their certificates. (Since the meeting this has been rectified.) Youth Concert’s ========== A suggestion was made to build in a youth concert into the county and provincial fleadhanna, something similar to the Aos Óg concert, which is run as part of the Fleadh Nua. This could be a project undertaken by county youth officers in order to give them more power and belonging. Comhrá Gaeilge ========== We discussed the idea of introducing a social setting to the aspect of Comhrá Gaeilge. We were given an example from CCE Skibberean, where taking the children for pizza and speaking Irish on the trip was a worthwhile project. Also we looked at the idea of introducing small Comhrá competitions into local féile’s and also circulating information on Comhrá Gaeilge etc. to local schools. Séisiún shows ========= We discussed increasing youth involvement in these shows. We complimented areas that have integrated the youth fully and we are to look at further increasing their involvement for example bringing local prize winners on during the second half. Storytelling ======== We discussed how the area of storytelling and how in many parts of Munster it is a tradition that is dying out. We complimented the Ceol an Gheimhridh festival which includes a competition on storytelling but we feel more needs to be done. It is an area which young children really enjoy. Scoil Fonn agus Amhrán/SCT =================== We believe that it is strong in some areas but quite weak in others so it is another area that we need to look at encouraging more young people to take part in. Regards the area of SCT examinations, although we have the highest numbers out off all the provinces, again it is in patches and needs work in weaker areas. Organising Committee ============== We looked at the area of putting together small youth committees in larger branches for example a chairperson, secretary etc. To the best of my knowledge, this is a true and accurate account at what we discussed in our meeting regards Aos óg Is mise Seacailín Ní Chonchúir Oifigeach na nÓg – Comhairle na Mumhan