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KERRY native Cathal Griffin was delighted to get the chance to meet President Michael D. Higgins this week. Cathal, from Glenbeigh, was representing Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) together with Amy Purcell, from Newbridge, Co Kildare.
President Higgins, who is a patron of Down Syndrome Ireland, was introduced to Cathal and Amy along with DSI CEO Pat Clarke at the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies lecture on the future of European Union this week.
Both Cathal and Amy attended the event following their input in the organisation’s My Opinion My Vote education programme, which is a two-year course aimed at empowering people with Down syndrome through active citizenship and participation in elections. As part of the course, the two have studied the EU and visited Brussels.
The two are also members of Down Syndrome Ireland’s National Advisory Council, a nationally elected body that represents the voice of people with Down syndrome in Ireland.
Cathal said: “I like doing the My Opinion My Vote course. I do the course every Friday at the IT in Tralee. Basically it is all about politics and the politicians in Ireland and in Europe. We learn about political issues like education, employment and justice….things like that. It is good really to know these things.”
Amy added: “I do the My Opinion My Vote course every Monday in Naas. I really love learning about politics in Ireland and in Europe. Meeting politicians is good and the trips to visit the Dáil and the European Parliament in Brussels last year were the best. I understand all about politics now and I definitely say to people it is really important to vote. Ask the questions and make up your own mind.”
 

 
President Michael D. Higgins meets Down Syndrome Ireland members Cathal Griffin (Glenbeigh, Co Kerry), Amy Purcell (Newbridge, Co Kildare) and DSI CEO Pat Clarke at the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies lecture on the future of European Union this week.