Sinn Féin Assembly ministers Caitríona Ruane and Conor Murphy took part in a leg of the Rith 2010 1,600-kilometre relay run around Ireland last week as it passed through Newry. Rith 2010 was organised to raise money and awareness about the Irish language and the event was welcomed to Newry by the city's mayor and other public representatives. The nine-day event started in Belfast on Tuesday night and following Newry it passed through South Armagh and across the border into Louth. It is due to reach Galway city on St. Patrick's Day, where a special message, hidden inside the baton and written by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, will be read from the platform to the gathered crowds. Free article

Derry City Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell has expressed his disappointment at the SDLP's opposition to Derry Council proceeding with its stated policy of petitioning the Privy Council to restore the historic name of Derry to the city. Free article

Cork Sinn Féin picketed the Bright Side head shop on Washington Street on Thursday 4 March after allegations that it sold party pills to under-18s. Speaking before the picket, Councillor Jonathan O'Brien stated: "At a public meeting organised by Sinn Féin last week, a member of the audience described how her 15-year-old son was rushed to hospital after taking a so-called party pill, purchased by a friend of his in the Bright Side head shop. Free article

A new Sinn Féin cumann was launched in Kinsale, west Cork, last Saturday Free article

A large crowd attended the Cavan Crystal Hotel on Saturday 13 March for the County Cavan Sinn Féin Dinner Dance. The guest speaker on the night was Senator Pearse Doherty. Apologies were sent from Cavan/Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who could not attend the event because he was speaking at another event in County Meath. Addressing the dinner, Pearse discussed the new model of membership adopted by this year's Ard Fheis, which will open up new recruitment opportunities for the party by making it easier for more people to become involved with the party Free article

There was considerable public support for a Sinn Féin protest to highlight unemployment held across Cork North West last Saturday. Hundreds of postcards protesting government inaction on job creation were signed by the public in Macroom, Kanturk and Charleville and these will now be forwarded to the Taoiseach's Office, along with thousands more from across the state. Free article