President Catherine Connolly will today present 50 young people with the Gaisce Gold Award at a ceremony in Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA Venues), Royal Hospital Kilmainham. This year’s celebration is especially significant, marking both the 40th anniversary of Gaisce and President Connolly’s first time hosting the prestigious Gaisce Gold Award ceremony.
The Gaisce Gold Award ceremony celebrates the remarkable personal development and community impact demonstrated by these young people, who have completed the highest level of the President’s Award. Today’s Awardees join a four-decade legacy of participants who have shaped and strengthened communities across Ireland through Gaisce – The President’s Award. For over 40 years the programme has empowered participants to cultivate essential life skills and foster a sense of responsibility and resilience through a nationally and internationally recognised non-formal education framework, building confidence, a sense of purpose, resilience and life skills.
This year’s Awardees have dedicated themselves to a wide range of skills and challenges including learning the harp, carpentry, researching cancer cells, participating in and volunteering at parkrun, volunteering in care homes, conservation initiatives, and sports coaching, finding adventure through hiking Irish and international tracks and trails, as well as exploring their leadership and relationship building abilities across all aspects of their Award experiences. Awardees today come from a diverse group of organisations who deliver the Award including young people from Northern Ireland (through the Joint Award Initiative), Scouting Ireland, Volunteer Centres, Disability Youth Services, Youth Diversion Projects, Youth Justice Services, Third level Institutions, Education Training Boards, Community Services and Schools.
Gaisce’s vision is an Ireland where every young person, regardless of circumstance, can participate in The President’s Award. The organisation continues to champion inclusion and equality of access by delivering initiatives designed to remove barriers and broaden participation.
Speaking at the event, President Catherine Connolly said,
“Today, we come together to celebrate the dedication, resilience and spirit of our Gaisce Gold Award recipients. As patron of Gaisce, I am honoured to present today’s Awards for the first time, and celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s young people. In achieving the Gaisce Gold Award, every one of these young people have given up their time, energy and talents in service of their communities, and in the name of personal development, and has shown what it means to act with purpose. Each of their individual stories reminds us of the immense potential that lies within each and every one of us, no matter our circumstances.
“As we mark the 40th anniversary of Gaisce, let today remind us of the enduring power of inclusion and opportunity. Together, let us ensure that Gaisce continues to lift, inspire and empower, offering every young person in Ireland a chance to realise their potential and shine, to begin what will be, I hope, a lifetime of active and engaged citizenship.”
Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce – The President’s Award said: “I am delighted to celebrate the achievements of each and every young person being honoured today as they receive the Gaisce Gold Award. Today’s awardees have shown extraordinary determination, resilience and generosity as they worked towards their Gold Award. In earning Award, they have developed new skills, increased their confidence and made meaningful contributions to people and communities right across Ireland. I also want to extend a warm congratulations and thank you to President Connolly, as our new Award patron; we are delighted to have here to present the Gold Awards for the first time.”
Áine Kerr, Chair of Gaisce – The President’s Award also commended the awardees, “Today is a truly special moment in the history of Gaisce. Not only are we celebrating 40 years of the President’s Award empowering young people across Ireland, but we are also marking President Catherine Connolly’s first year presenting the prestigious Gold Awards. I want to congratulate each of the Awardees for their remarkable persistence, leadership and community spirit. By achieving the Gold Award, they are joining a distinguished group of young people who embody what it means to pursue purpose, personal growth and positive impact.”
Sarah Malone from Irish Wheelchair Association Athlone, Co Westmeath and recipient of the Gaisce Gold Award said, “Completing my Gold Gaisce Award has been a deeply meaningful journey. It pushed me, helped me discover my strengths, and allowed me to grow through my personal and recreational skills, and my work experience with Athlone Community Radio.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity Irish Wheelchair Association and Gaisce has given me. I hope my experience encourages other young people with disabilities to highlight their abilities by seeing what they can achieve.”
Sam O’Neill, from Clay Youth Project, Dublin and a recipient of the Gaisce Gold Award in 2025 added, “During my time of doing the Gaisce Gold Award, I found the trips to Achill Island and Finland amazing as it took me away from everything, less chaotic areas which I found peaceful, it encouraged me to mix socially and reduce my phone usage. The skills I picked up along the way such as barbering, guitar, lifeguarding has all supported my development as a young man. My Gaisce Gold Award helped me better my skillset as well, by managing my time, completing tasks, putting my mind to something and achieving it.”
Photos from the 2025 Gaisce Gold Award Ceremony
