Gaisce News

Catch up on everything that Gaisce has been up to!

GAISCE ONLINE GOLD AWARD RESIDENTIAL PROJECT 2020 ‘Together but Apart’ 2020

June 15, 2020

Gaisce are delighted to announce an Online 5 Day Gold Award Residential Project. Due to the uncertainty of Covid-19, Gaisce will host an Online Gold Residential Project for participants who may find it difficult to find a residential at this time. The core theme of the project is ‘Together but Apart’. The residential will take place between the 13th to the 17th of July 2020, using online platforms, in particular Zoom. The online Residential Project will offer Gold Award Participants an opportunity to complete their Gold Award during the Covid-19 period while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Through facilitated presentations,...

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A message from President Michael D. Higgins to Gaisce participants and Awardees

June 10, 2020

https://youtu.be/HOEXdpH0KB8 On Wednesday 10th June 2020, President Michael D. Higgins issued a video message to Gaisce Awardees to congratulate them for completing their Award in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, the President commended young people who took part in the Gaisce at Home /Gaisce sa Bhaile programme, where Gaisce activities were adapted to accommodate Gaisce participants during Covid-19 guidelines. In his message President Michael D. Higgins said: “As President of Ireland, may I congratulate all those who took part in the ‘Gaisce sa Bhaile’ programme, and all those who supported them. Iad a thug tacaíocht leo. “By taking part, you have...

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Gaisce says ‘Maith Thú’ to Young People throughout Ireland

May 27, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRePyl2noM4&feature=youtu.be Gaisce – The President’s Award today launched its ‘Maith Thú’ campaign to commend young people for their resilience through the Covid-19 outbreak. Maith Thú celebrates the achievements of young people who have completed their Gaisce Award in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and offers encouragement to those who need extra support finishing their Award activities due to the current restrictions. Speaking about Maith Thú, CEO of Gaisce Yvonne McKenna says, “It’s been heart-warming to read the messages we are receiving from young people across the nation who have stuck with their Award and are doing amazing things to help...

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"I think the biggest thing we all probably miss is our freedom".

May 1, 2020

Gaisce participant Orla Leahy from Cork is no stranger to challenges having completed her Bronze and Silver Awards. She's currently going for her Gold Award while busily studying for her Leaving Certificate. Here she writes about the new challenge we are all facing - Covid -19 - and how 'Gaisce at Home' is providing a welcome distraction from current restrictions. What's the toughest thing about being at home? The toughest thing right now is not being able to see my friends and extended family, especially my grandparents. I would have visited my grandparents regularly. What do you miss the most? I think the...

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Gaisce At Home - Gaisce Sa Bhaile

April 15, 2020

Extraordinary Times Call For Extraordinary Measures Young people can answer Ireland’s call too! Updated 15th April 2020 As many young people now find themselves at home during the Covid-19 situation, we at Gaisce have been thinking about how you can continue with - or even start - your Gaisce Award. That's why we're launching 'Gaisce At Home' or 'Gaisce Sa Bhaile'. Doing Gaisce is a great way to stay active, improve a skill and help in your community (whilst following current restrictions of course). Young people can answer Ireland’s call too! It’s not going to be too difficult to think up a skill...

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Gaisce -The President’s Award Statement on COVID-19

April 15, 2020

Update 8th May 2020 Gaisce - The President Award are following Government directions and will be working remotely as far as possible but can be contacted during regular office hours. Contact email addresses and contact numbers for the full Gaisce team are available here. Below you will find an outline of temporary measures we are taking during restrictions. We will update this statement in line with government guidelines accordingly and extend temporary arrangements where necessary. Information for PALs The health and wellbeing of Gaisce participants and PALs, and staff in our Award Partners is of primary importance to us. Given that the government...

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Update 25th March: Gaisce Defence Forces Adventure Challenge 2020

March 25, 2020

Update 25th March 2020 Due to the ever-evolving situation as Ireland responds to Covid -19, the upcoming ‘Gaisce Defence Forces Challenge 2020’ due to take place from June 2nd-5th has unfortunately been cancelled. There may be an alternative date rescheduled for 2020, but we cannot confirm this presently.  All submissions received by the application deadline will be eligible for any new dates considered for 2020. The application process remains open here until the previously agreed closing date of the 3rd April 2020. Those who have submitted an application already should await further information from Gaisce later in the year. The Defence Forces Challenge...

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Gaisce – The President’s Award launches ‘Gaisce at Home’

March 24, 2020

Gaisce – The President’s Award has today launched ‘Gaisce at Home’/ ‘Gaisce sa Bhaile’. The campaign encourages young people, precisely as the country and the world responds to the challenge of Covid-19, to stay active and engaged in their personal development and community action. ‘Gaisce at Home’ seeks to support and encourage the over 18,000 registered young people already involved in the Award to continue their Gaisce journey by finding alternative activities they can undertake at and from home. Gaisce will be sharing suitable and safe ideas online using the hashtags #GaisceAtHome and #GaisceSaBhaile. As part of the campaign, Gaisce is...

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