All posts by : Celia Melcus

Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness named as Irish Girl Guides’ first ambassador

Ireland, 10/04/2016 – Irish Girl Guides (IGG) has named former Supreme Court judge, Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness, as its Honorary Ambassador for 2016 in recognition of the trail she has blazed for Irish women during her lifetime.

Speaking at the organisation’s annual Council meeting yesterday [9 April 2016] in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co Meath, IGG President Maureen Dillon said: “We are delighted and honoured to have former Supreme Court Justice, the Honourable Ms Catherine McGuinness, as the inaugural recipient of the IGG Trailblazer Award and Honorary Ambassador of Irish Girl Guides 2016.

“Ms McGuinness has blazed a trail during her lifetime – both in her career and in her many voluntary commitments – and serves as an exemplary role model for our 12,000 members. She is notable not only for her distinguished legal career, but also for her valiant efforts to improve the lives of children, migrants and refugees and to bring about reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

“She is a real advocate who has always stood up for the rights of others, particularly those who are marginalised and vulnerable in our society. She is an ideal ambassador for IGG, given that we encourage and empower our members from age five upwards to speak up and take action on issues that concern them and, while doing so, to inspire others to take action too.”

Addressing IGG Council members, Ms Justice McGuinness, remembered fondly her time as a Guide in Dublin during her teenage years. “Apart from the enjoyment and fun, I think that the best thing I learnt from Guiding was a sense of self-reliance, and also to be observant, both of the material world and of people, which is something I very much value to this day,” she said.

“I am delighted to accept the Trailblazer Award and to be Irish Girl Guides’ Honorary Ambassador for 2016.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5+ and volunteer Leaders from age 18+. To find out more, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or telephone 01 6683898.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 085 8570565

Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie

Maureen Dillon, President, Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 087 2885302

Email: dillonm@hotmail.com

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,800 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from age 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller. 

12,000 girls are working towards their Irish Culture and Traditions badge

Ireland, 22/03/2016 – Thousands of members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG) throughout the 26 counties are getting into the spirit of Ireland 2016 by working towards their Irish Culture and Traditions badge.

Girls from age five upwards are learning Irish folk songs, jigs and reels, discovering Irish legends, talking about their hobbies as Gaeilge and trying their hand at traditional Irish recipes, like boxty and soda bread.

Other ways girls are working towards earning a badge include reciting poetry as Gaeilge, learning how to draw a Tara brooch and illustrate with Celtic designs, and making models of items from ancient or medieval Ireland e.g. a stone circle, rath, dolmen, fort, or the Book of Kells.

IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said: “As we celebrate the centenary of our first step towards independence, we are encouraging our youth members to learn about – and develop an appreciation for – our rich Irish culture and heritage.

“Through their badge work in their local units, they have been learning about flag-raising, which was timely given the recent Proclamation Day. Many of our members were involved in colour parties raising the flag in ceremonies throughout the country and sharing their respect for the Irish flag.”

Hannah Clarke (age 11), a member of St Rynagh’s Guides, Banagher, Co Offaly, who has been taking violin lessons since the age of six, said: “I was delighted to play the violin at our last Guide meeting as part of my work to gain an Irish Culture and Traditions badge. My great-grandfather also played the violin and my grandfather speaks about it a lot. I am very happy to continue the tradition.

“At our Guide meeting we learned how to make a St Brigid’s Cross and had the opportunity to sample traditional Irish foods.”

Martha McMahon (age 13), also a member of St Rynagh’s Guides, said: “I really enjoyed dancing the Siege of Ennis with my friends and the plays were really good too.  Baking the soda bread was really fun; eating it was just as enjoyable!

“I think it’s so important to embrace our Irish identity and culture.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes members from age five upwards and volunteer Leaders from age 18+. To find out more see www.irishgirlguides.ie or telephone 01-6683898.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 085 8570565

Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,800 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from age 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller. 

12,000 Irish Girl Guides join UN Women in calling for gender equality by 2030

Dublin, 08/03/2016 – Irish Girl Guides (IGG) is calling on the 158 newly-elected TDs to step up action for gender equality.

At the current rate of progress, gender equality will not be reached worldwide until 2133, according to the World Economic Forum.

This is simply not soon enough, says IGG, whose 12,000 members are joining with UN Women and the 10 million other Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide calling on all countries to step up action to reach a world of gender equality by 2030.

While welcoming the record number of women elected to the 32nd Dáil, IGG would like to see all TDs commit to working towards gender equality both here and overseas.

“Today on International Women’s Day we recognise and applaud the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women worldwide,” says IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon. “We congratulate, in particular, the 35 women who won seats in the recent election and thank them for being positive role models for our younger members.

“Everyone can take steps to help achieve gender parity – for example, respecting value and difference, calling for gender-balanced leadership and helping girls and women achieve their ambitions. Globally – with individuals pledging to move from talk to purposeful action and with women and men joining forces – we can collectively help girls and women advance and develop to their fullest potential.”

Concannon says women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world: “We believe gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.

“We believe the confidence, leadership and other essential life-skills our members are gaining from their involvement in Guiding from age 5+ will help them become the change-makers of the future. We encourage them to be the best that they can and to aim to realise their dreams while striving to make a difference to the lives of others and inspiring others to create change, participate in decision-making and pursue leadership roles.”

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 085 8570565

Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,800 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from age 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller. 

A-wear-ness Day gives girls an opportunity to talk about what they love about Guiding

Ireland, 22/02/2016 – Thousands of school pupils across the country turned up for class this morning [22 February 2016] wearing their Irish Girl Guide uniforms. 

School principals gave permission for the girls to wear their Irish Girl Guides’ (IGG) uniforms to mark A-wear-ness Day – an annual event that gives girls the opportunity to tell their friends about their involvement in Guiding. This is a wonderful example of the partnerships between the formal education settings of schools with the non-formal educational programme of Girl Guides, all which benefit the development of girls as confident citizens of Ireland.

Membership of IGG gives girls from age 5-30 the chance to take part in a wide range of activities and challenges while making new friends, growing in confidence and gaining teamwork, leadership and other essential life-skills, said IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon.

“Our members are encouraged – and empowered – to fulfil their potential and to be the best that they can,” said Helen. “They can earn a wide range of badges – everything from online surfer, science investigator and cultural diversity to drugs awareness, healthy mind, community action and global traveller.” 

Muireann Brady, a pupil of Our Lady of Mercy Primary School, Kells, Co Meath, was pleased to wear her Brownie uniform to school (Brownies is the section of IGG for girls age 7-10). “My friends asked me why I was wearing my Brownie uniform, so I told them about A-wear-ness Day and all the things I love about Brownies,” she said. “We play games, do arts and crafts, go on outings and get enrolled.”

A-wear-ness Day takes place on the same day as World Thinking Day (WTD) each year when the 12,000 members of IGG join over 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world in celebrating the international friendships provided by the Guiding movement while raising money for underprivileged communities in developing countries. Last year IGG raised over €7,500.

This year’s WTD theme is ‘Connect’ and the girls have been taking part in games, activities and ceremonies that have helped them celebrate the meaningful connections that make for better lives.

“By reflecting on how they connect with themselves (what makes them happy and confident), with friends and with Girl Guides throughout the world, it is hoped that the girls will see how they can make a difference in their local communities and in the wider world,” said Helen.

“We believe girls and young women can be powerful agents of change and that, connected together, we can make the world a better place.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5+ and volunteer Leaders from age 18+. To find out more, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or telephone 01-6683898.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 085 8570565

Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,800 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from age 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller. 

Guides mark World Thinking day by celebrating the meaningful connections that make for better lives

Ireland, 18/02/2016 – The 12,000 members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG) are joining 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 146 countries across the globe in celebrating the meaningful connections that make for better lives.

‘Connect’ is the theme of this year’s World Thinking Day (22^nd February) – a day when Girl Guides across the globe give thanks for the international friendships they enjoy through the Guiding movement and raise money for underprivileged communities in developing countries. Last year IGG raised over €7,500.

IGG members from age five upwards are taking part in activities, games and challenges prepared by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to help them explore the ‘Connect’ theme. By reflecting on how they connect with themselves (what makes them happy and confident), with friends and with Girl Guides throughout the world, it is hoped that Guides will see how they can make a difference in their local communities and in the wider world.

Speaking ahead of World Thinking Day, IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said: “Making positive connections matters – not only because it helps us to be happy, but also because it enables us to play an important role in society. Connections help us reach our fullest potential and create positive change, which ties in with IGG’s mission of enabling girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.

“Encouraging young people to be the best that they can and empowering them to take the lead is at the heart of the Girl Guide movement and the ‘Connect’ resources are helping our members to take action to promote equality and justice locally and globally as well as appreciating the friendships that they enjoy as a result of being a member of the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world.

“We believe girls and young women can be powerful agents of change and that, connected together, we can make the world a better place.”

To find out more about Irish Girl Guides, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or telephone 01-6683898.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 085 8570565

Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,800 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from age 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller. 

World Thinking Day has been celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide since 1926. It is an opportunity for girls to appreciate the international friendship they find in Guiding, to raise money to help grow and share Guiding with more girls and young women around the world, and join together to take action on global issues.

Irish Girl Guides launch their Strategic Plan 2016-2020

Ireland, 07/02/2016 – Irish Girl Guides (IGG) launched its strategic plan today emphasising its focus over the next four years on supporting girls and young women to develop life skills that will see them become “torch bearers for a better future”.

IGG’s blueprint for action, which is underpinned by the organisation’s tagline ‘giving girls confidence’, is to empower girls and women to develop to their full potential and become active and responsible citizens, IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said at the launch in the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport.

“We are focused on helping girls and young women develop teamwork and leadership skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment where they are encouraged to learn by doing and to be the best that they can. This is achieved through a range of indoor and outdoor activities and challenges, which see girls grow in confidence while having lots of fun,” said Helen.

“We believe young people should be recognized for what they are – agents of change who are the torch bearers of a better future. Our progressive new Journey Programme, which caters for girls from age five to 30, will equip our 10,000 youth members to be positive change-makers in their local communities and beyond. When we set ourselves a challenge and work together, we can achieve great things.”

IGG Assistant Chief Commissioner Jenna Goodwin, a 25-year-old Guide leader from Lucan who headed up the team that devised the IGG 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, said: “This long-term vision we set out here today is aimed at giving girls and young women the opportunity to develop and enhance a range of essential life skills that encourage personal growth and independence and, as they mature, to be agents of change and to inspire change in others too.

“Our Strategic Plan focuses on four key areas: Belong, Support, Impact and Journey. By focusing on these key areas, we hope to build on our strengths while also setting ourselves targets for the future, allowing us to continue growing and evolving as a relevant organisation for the girls and young women of today. For our members, it’s about real engagement and the opening of hearts and minds and discovering that our actions can have a real impact on the lives of others,” said Jenna.

“Being involved in Guiding helps girls and young women to develop not only confidence, self-motivation and emotional well-being – all essential tools for life in the 21^st century – but it also helps them develop a social conscience through active engagement in real communities. It is essential to give young people opportunities to contribute to society in ways that will fire them up to change the world for the better.”

To find out more about Irish Girl Guides see www.irishgirlguides.ie or telephone 01-6683898.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,800 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from age 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller. 

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch

Communications Officer

Irish Girl Guides, 27 Pembroke Park, Dublin 4
Tel: 01 6683898/085 8570565
www.irishgirlguides.ie