Sinn Féin calls off party conference with move to spring schedule

Sinn Féin will not hold its usual ard fheis this year.The party has told members it has decided to hold an annual conference in April 2026 when it will take place in Belfast.It is understood the conference will take place in spring from now on.

In an email to members, the Sinn Féin leadership said there are a number of ‘logistical and strategic challenges’ against holding the ard fheis this year.The party has said it has been ‘increasingly difficult’ to secure a suitable venue for the autumn and ‘particularly one large enough to accommodate our growing attendance'.A spring ard fheis in 2026, the party said, would afford it better media coverage as it won’t have to ‘compete with the autumn budget’ in the Republic of Ireland ‘as well as the presidential election and inauguration’.The communication to members also states that moving the conference ‘better aligns with our internal party processes’ and that it ‘provides the necessary space to further consider, refine and integrate the commission’s recommendations into strategic planning’.Last week Sinn Féin published a progress report from its general secretary in relation to the complete overhaul of governance procedures within the party. It was forced to review its governance following a series of controversies which engulfed the party last autumn. It was revealed that two party press officers provided references for another former employee Micheal McMonagle, who has since been jailed for child sex offences. Sinn Féin has also updated its Child Protection Policy.The Sinn Fein ard fheis has been cancelled several times in the last number of years. It did not go ahead in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak. It was also rescheduled in 2018.The party has been contacted for comment.

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