Trail Blazers: Longford girls honoured for reaching pinnacle of Guiding achievement
Longford girls recognised for their achievements at the Irish Girl Guide Awards ceremony in University College Dublin
Over 150 members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG), including a group from Longford, travelled to University College Dublin on Saturday, October 10, to receive the highest award a Guide can achieve, the Trail Blazer Award, at the National Guide Award ceremony.
Lily-May Smyth, Molly Tynan, Mia Fahey, Caoimhe Eager and Abbie Maguire of Ardagh Girl Guides, accompanied by their families, joined girls aged 14-15 as they came from all over the country, with their Guide Leaders to witness this milestone in their Guiding journey.
Each girl was awarded a Trail Blazer gold pin by IGG President Deirdre Henley and a National Guide Award certificate by IGG Chief Commissioner, Aisling Claffey-Healion.
Val Shortt also earned the Trail Blazer Award, but was unable to attend the ceremony.
These awards represent the spirit of the outdoors, learning life skills, and gaining confidence.
Girl Guides, who are aged 10 to 14, are the third branch within the Irish Girl Guides.
They follow a four-year Journey Programme designed to develop their independence, self-confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. This is achieved through a variety of activities, including meetings, outdoor camping, indoor weekends, outdoor adventures, and international travel.
Congratulations also to Ailish Farrell, Caoimhe Farrell and Sarah Gill of South Longford Senior Branch who received their Bronze Gaisce Award and Bronze Star Award at the same ceremony.
The Senior Branch programme gives members the opportunity to work through the three levels of the Gaisce Award system; Bronze, Silver and Gold. These link with the overall Senior Branch Awards of Bronze Star, Silver Moon and Golden Sun respectively.
Good luck to Lily-May, Molly, Mia, Caoimhe, Abbie and Val as they move up to Senior Branch, and to Ailish, Sarah and Caoimhe who start work on their Silver Gaisce and Moon Awards.
If you would like to become a member of Irish Girl Guides, Ladybirds ages 5-7; Brownies ages 7-10; Guides ages 10-14; Senior Branch 10-30 years or volunteer to be a Leader, please email [email protected], you don't have to have been a member from the start - join the fun at any age!