Young people’s achievements celebrated at Gaisce Silver Awards

Gaisce – The President’s Award held two special Silver Award ceremonies last week to celebrate the achievements of 69 young people from all over Ireland.

The first ceremony was held in Thomond Park in Limerick on 30^th April and was MC’d by Spin Southwest’s Louise Cantillon. Munster Rugby’s Marcus Horan, who was guest speaker on the night, gave a speech highlighting the importance of honesty, inspiring others and leading by example. Gaisce Gold participant Rebecca Duffy, a Leitrim native, spoke about her Gaisce Gold Journey during the ceremony and the positive impact it has had on her life.

Pictured at Gaisce – The President’s Award Silver Award ceremony in Thomond Park in Limerick: Silver Awardees Claire Holland from Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton and Tadhg Shaughnessy from Salesian College, Pallaskenry with CEO of Gaisce Yvonne McKenna, Marcus Horan of Munster Rugby and Louise Cantillon from Spin SW.

Speaking about the Limerick Awards Ceremony, Marcus Horan of Munster Rugby said, “I’m delighted to be here to be part of the Gaisce Silver Awards. Personal development is such an important part of life at any age, and it is wonderful to see so many young people receiving their Silver Award today having demonstrated their commitment to realising their potential. It is fantastic to see an organisation like Gaisce encouraging young people to develop their personal skills and in doing so celebrating their achievements.”

 

Pictured at Gaisce – The President’s Award Silver Award ceremony in Thomond Park in Limerick, Awardees Anna Brosnan, Caitlin Hurley, Anna Deane, Ina Ross, Emma O’Neill, Theresa O’Sullivan and Orla Murray. The girls hail from Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway, Cork. Photo: Keith Wiseman

The second ceremony was held in Griffith College Dublin on May 3rd and was MC’d by 2FM’s Stephen Byrne. Gaisce Gold Awardee Lucy McGill, a Dublin native, joined the celebrations to give a speech encouraging Silver Awardees to continue their Gaisce journey to Gold. Lucy’s Gaisce journey saw her walk a portion of the Camino, volunteer with soup runs and teach people in Tanzania about reproductive health.

Speaking about the Dublin Awards Ceremony, Stephen Byrne from RTE said, “I’m delighted to return tonight to MC Gaisce’s Silver Awards in Dublin for a second time. It is always wonderful to meet the young Silver Awardees. I really admire their sense of adventure and commitment to personal development. It is fantastic to see an organisation like Gaisce encouraging young people to realise their potential.”

Pictured at the at the Silver Award Ceremony in Griffith College in Dublin: Yvonne McKenna, CEO of Gaisce, Stephen Byrne 2fm, Silver Awardee Aidan Burke, and Lucy McGill, Gaisce Gold Award holder. Photo: Maxwell’s

Silver awardees honoured on the night have successfully completed at least 26 weeks across three different challenge areas and undertaken a 3-day adventure journey. The adventure journey incorporates either a 50km walk or a 190km cycle.

Pictured at the at the Silver Award Ceremony in Griffith College in Dublin: Awardee Katie Kelly from Kare Newbridge in Kildare with her mother Mary and her award. Photo: Maxwell’s

Speaking about the Silver Awardees, Yvonne McKenna, CEO Gaisce added, “I heartily congratulate the Awardees on their achievement. Completing a Silver Gaisce Award is no easy feat 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 delighted to celebrate their achievements and the dedication of their wonderful President’s Award Leaders who are the lifeblood of the Gaisce programme. The Awardees aren’t only incredible ambassadors for Gaisce, but also their families and communities”.