President Michael D Higgins has presented 33 Gaisce gold awards to young people for what he described as their outstanding work in the community and significant personal achievements.
Gaisce is the President’s awards scheme which aims to foster young people’s potential by encouraging them to set goals in a number of areas and then achieve them.
The awards ceremony at Dublin Castle today honoured young people who spent time volunteering with charity organisations, working with the poor, the elderly and people with disabilities, and getting involved in youth groups and clubs.
Award winners included Siobhán Buckley from Co Cork who spent 52 weeks in Kanturk Community Hospital, where she provided entertainment for older residents by playing music, painting pictures and helping patients design Christmas cards and letters to their families. To meet other goals she took up harp lessons, took part in music competitions and hiked along the Camino De Santiago.
Sisters Treasa and Ailbhe Kelly were the first students from their secondary school – Pobalscoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola in Falcarragh, Co Donegal – to receive the gold Gaisce award. They are now studying in UCD and Trinity College.
Chairman of the Gaisce Awards John Concannon said the Gaisce vision for Ireland was a country where young people "dream big and fulfil their potential". He said more than 20,000 young people applied to take part in the awards programme this year. "It is inspiring to see so many young people receive their gold awards, acknowledging the exceptional level of commitment to personal development and community involvement of the 33 awardees."
Mr Concannon estimated that on average, Gaisce participants contribute more than 100,000 voluntary hours in their local communities each year. Some six million voluntary hours have been completed since the Gaisce award programme began in 1985.
