Achievements of young people from across Ireland celebrated at Gaisce Silver Award Ceremonies

Gaisce held two Silver Award Ceremonies in October 2018 to celebrate the achievements of young people from across Ireland. Over 180 young people were honoured at the Silver Award Ceremonies which took place in Cork and Dublin.

The first ceremony took place at the Aula Maxima, UCC in Cork on Wednesday 10^th October 2018. Speakers on the night included Naomi Carroll of the Irish Women’s Hockey Team, who achieved her Gaisce Gold Award last year, and Kate Kelly, a Gaisce Gold awardee and UCC student. The event was MC’d by Red FM’s Dave MacArdle.

Speaking about the positive effects of her Gaisce experience, guest speaker and Gold Award holder Kate Kelly said, “My Gold Gaisce Award had a profound impact on my life. It really has built and shaped me as a person. When I was feeling down it motivated me to try different things and put myself out there. My personal skill was political activism and debating which led me into deciding to study law.”

She continued, “I also used to be terrified of having to speak in front of people and now it is something I do not even think twice about. Above all else I gained amazing friends and even better friends through my experiences doing each award.”

The second ceremony took place on Tuesday 16^th October 2018 at The Helix, DCU in Dublin. Speakers on the night included Paul Keogan, Irish International Para Athlete, and Olivia Sneyd, a Gaisce Gold awardee and DCU student. The event was MC’d by RTÉ 2FM presenter Stephen Byrne.

Speaking at the event, Paul Keoghan, Irish International Para Athlete said, “I’m delighted and honoured to speak at this event. This Gaisce award will equip these young people with the tools to live full and happy lives and to improve the lives of all those around them.”

Guest speaker and Gold Award holder Olivia Sneyd added, “The ceremony is about the awardees, everything incredible that they have achieved during their Gaisce journey. I hope they enjoy this evening because they really deserve to celebrate. “ 

Speaking about both Silver Ceremonies Yvonne McKenna, CEO of Gaisce added, “I heartily congratulate the awardees on their achievement. Completing a Silver Gaisce Award is no easy feat and each and every one of them has dedicated significant time and effort towards developing skills, helping in their communities, becoming more active and exploring their sense of adventure. We are so proud of them and, of course, their wonderful President’s Award Leaders who mentored them through their Gaisce journey. The awardees aren’t only incredible ambassadors for Gaisce, but also their families and communities”.

Silver awardees who were honoured at the ceremonies have successfully completed at least 26 weeks across 3 different challenge areas and undertaken a 3-day adventure journey. The adventure journey incorporates either a 50km walk or a 190km cycle. Over 1000 Silver Gaisce Awards will be achieved across Ireland in 2018.