Posts in category: Press Releases

IGGNITE2017 will be the biggest ever Girl Guide camp to take place in Ireland

Ireland, 13/07/2017 – Members of Irish Girl Guides are counting down the days until the start of the biggest ever Girl Guide camp to take place in Ireland. There are 17 days to go until IGGNITE2017, which will see 1,800 Girl Guides from 12 different countries camp under canvas in the grounds of Rockwell College, Cashel, Co Tipperary (from 30 July to 6 August 2017). 

There will be 10-16 year-old girls in attendance from all corners from Ireland as well as Girl Guides from the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Georgia, Zimbabwe and St Vincent and the Grenadines as well as England, Scotland and Finland.

“After two years of planning, we’re excited to be in the final days of the countdown until camp takes place,” says IGGNITE2017 Camp Chief Jenny Gannon. “We can’t wait to welcome all the girls and introduce them to the different kinds of fun and adventurous activities they’ll be taking part in during the camp.”

Activities will include kayaking, horse-riding, water obstacle courses, building rafts and rockets and playing quidditch as well as drama, music, body confidence, yoga, meditation and coding workshops. “The girls will also learn how to advocate for gender equality and to stand up for refugees and, by learning about the Sustainable Development Goals, it is hoped they will be enthused to make a difference in their local communities and overseas,” says Ms Gannon.

“Guiding aims to ignite a social and environmental conscience in our members from age five-plus while they take part in team-building and problem-solving games and challenges. They learn how to speak out on issues that concern them and how to inspire others to take action too.

“Our overall aim is to see our members become responsible citizens of the world; that is part of our ethos. Guiding is also a wonderful place to make friends for life!”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5+ and adult volunteer leaders from age 18+. See www.irishgirlguides.ie for further information or tel: 01 6683898. 

ENDS

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. 

1,800 Girl Guides will camp outdoors in Tipperary

Ireland, 06/06/2017 – 1,800 Girl Guides will camp under canvas at Rockwell College, Tipperary, from 30 July to 6 August 2017. It will be the biggest Girl Guide camp to ever take place in Ireland! The girls, who will be aged 10-16, will come from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Georgia as well as the UK and all corners of Ireland.

Health promotion will be a large feature of the camp with girls taking part in a wide range of fun and educational health-promoting activities – everything from assault courses, kayaking, building rafts, playing quidditch, building rockets and volcanoes to cooking dishes from around the world and taking part in music, dance, body confidence, yoga and meditation workshops. There will also be trainings on climate justice and sustainability and how to advocate for gender equality and to stand up for refugees.

The girls will help prepare healthy meals and will have limited access to their phones. They will also have the option of undertaking an overnight survival exercise.

The girls will also learn about the Sustainable Development Goals and will explore ways that they can make a difference in their local communities and overseas.

There will also be interesting visitors to the camp, including supermodel and Miss International Ireland Katherine Gannon who will talk to the girls about air-brushing and what goes on behind the scenes in the modelling industry. Katherine believes the most important thing in life is to be happy and healthy. Her attitude ties in nicely with our Free Being Me body confidence programme, which boosts girls’ body image and body confidence as it encourages girls to accept their natural body shapes and to be free to use their bodies for what they enjoy, whether that is dance or sport etc.

Blogger and social commentator Sinéad Burke (aka Minnie Mélange) will also attend the camp. As an advocate for equality, Sinéad will encourage the girls to speak up for equality and to strive for a world where equality is a reality, not an aspiration.

Guiding helps girls and young women develop a social and environmental conscience while taking part in team-building and problem-solving games and challenges. It gives girls the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, challenge themselves, try new things and make new friends. It helps them expand their horizons while increasing their inter-personal skills. Girls discover that their voices matter and learn to speak up on behalf of others and take action where they see injustice.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch

Communications Officer

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

Minnie Mélange named as Irish Girl Guides’ Honorary Ambassador

Dublin, 06/04/2017 – Irish Girl Guides has named blogger, social commentator and Alternative Miss Ireland, Sinéad Burke, as its Honorary Ambassador for 2017 in recognition of the trail she has blazed for Irish women.

Ms Burke, who is also known by her alter ego Minnie Mélange, was presented with a Trailblazer Award by Irish Girl Guides (IGG) President Maureen Dillon at the organisation’s annual Council meeting.

Ms Dillon said she was delighted to welcome Ms Burke as the recipient of the Irish Girl Guides’ Ambassador Award. “Sinéad is a primary school teacher, a PhD candidate, a broadcaster, a public speaker, Alternative Miss Ireland and, under her alter ego Minnie Mélange, a blogger and social commentator,” she said.

“Sinéad is a person of great spirit and heart who has already gone far. We are very fortunate that she is to be our Trailblazer Ambassador for the next 12 months as, in a short time, she has blazed a trail for women in so many aspects of modern day Irish society. A wonderful advocate for girls and women, she is working hard to create a future where equality is a reality rather than an aspiration.”

Addressing IGG Council members, Ms Burke said: “So many of the personal characteristics that I’m proud to possess as an adult were first instigated and nurtured in my childhood,” she said. “Qualities such as resilience, kindness, leadership, organisation, empathy, thoughtfulness and a deep understanding of the power of friendship were modelled and then emulated during the many intensely pleasurable years I spent as a Girl Guide.

“The organisation has transformed the ways in which young Irish women and girls are positioned in Irish society, but it has also enriched members with experiences and networks that challenge, support and satisfy their curiosities and ambitions.

“Most importantly, the Girl Guides has cultivated a safe space where girls and young women can admit their vulnerabilities and revel in their unique successes. It arms the next generation with confidence, pride and an awareness that encourages them to speak out against injustices and chase the most aspirational realities. I could not be more honoured to be this year’s Honorary Ambassador for the Irish Girls Guides and am tangibly excited to meet with and learn from the young women.”

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.

Lucan Guide Leader takes part in 61^st Commission on the Status of Women

Ireland, 29/03/2017 – A Lucan Guide Leader had the honour of representing 10 million Girl Guides at the 61^st Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) in New York.

Jenna Goodwin was one of 11 young women from around the world representing the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) at CSW61 – the principal body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women at the United Nations.

Ms Goodwin, who is Assistant Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides, delivered a statement on behalf of WAGGGS at an interactive expert panel on “Enhancing availability and use of data and gender statistics to support accelerated implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals”.

She talked about the importance of collecting data by age, gender and other categories so that progress for all girls is adequately captured. She also spoke about U-Report, a social messaging tool developed by WAGGGS and UNICEF to enable anyone anywhere to speak out on the issues they care about.

“I am just one voice, but I am proud to have represented 10 million voices of WAGGGS members around the world,” she said.

Ms Goodwin took part in various sessions, including “Young Women and Mental Health” and “The voices of young women in peace and security” as well as skills exchange labs on digital and political advocacy. As a member of the WAGGGS team, she was also involved in running a session on the Free Being Me body confidence programme while other members of the delegation ran a session on WAGGGS’s Stop the Violence campaign.

She relished the opportunity to hear “some amazing speakers”, including Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.

The overall theme of CSW61 was “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work” and, as a member of the WAGGGS delegation, Ms Goodwin had the opportunity to sit on various panels at different events in conjunction with other non-governmental organisations to speak out on important issues such as empowering girls’ economic futures through education, addressing discriminatory social norms and practices that inhibit girls and young women in society today.

“Throughout the two weeks, we each had the chance to influence policy makers by meeting with our governments to lobby them on the important and unique issues facing girls and young women in today’s society,” said Ms Goodwin. “Women’s economic empowerment starts with girls and we wanted governments to understand that investing in girls is a primary means of increasing economic outcomes for them in later life.”

On St Patrick’s Day Ms Goodwin attended a reception at the Irish Permanent Mission to the United Nations where she met with decision-makers from the Irish government as well as officials from the Permanent Mission who were engaged in negotiations on the CSW’s Agreed Conclusions and had the chance to share WAGGGS’s key messages and highlight the importance of governments recognising the unique perspectives of girls and young women and the barriers preventing gender equality.

“Being part of this delegation has been an amazing opportunity for me to not only represent WAGGGS at a global level, but also to have a meaningful impact on global decision makers to ensure that the challenges facing girls and young women are taken into account,” said Ms Goodwin. “I have had the chance to develop my public speaking and critical thinking skills as well as connect with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world.”

ENDS

1,800 Girl Guides from around the world to camp outdoors in Tipperary

Ireland, 10/03/2017 – Irish Girl Guides are delighted to be hosting Ireland’s biggest ever international Guide camp this summer. 1,800 Girl Guides from all around the world are expected to take part in the outdoor camp in the grounds of Rockwell College, Tipperary, from 30 July to 6 August 2017.

Since issuing an invitation to Guides aged 10-16 worldwide, the IGGNITE2017 camp organisers are delighted to have received bookings from Girl Guides in Canada, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Georgia and Zambia as well as England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“We’re thrilled to have received such a great response and we’re looking forward to hosting Ireland’s biggest Girl Guide camp ever and giving our overseas visitors a warm Irish welcome,” says IGGNITE2017 Camp Chief Jenny Gannon. “Some of our Guides and Leaders have visited Rockwell already; it’s a great location and the grounds are perfect for camping. Having a lake is a definite bonus as the girls will have the opportunity to kayak and do other water-based activities.”

The camp will see the girls building rafts, playing quidditch, cooking dishes from around the world, building rockets and volcanoes and doing an assault course as well as taking part in drama, music, body confidence, yoga, meditation and coding workshops. There will also be sessions on climate justice and sustainability and trainings on how to advocate for gender equality and to stand up for refugees. Day trips will include a visit to Cloughjordan eco village and to nearby Cashel where the girls will take part in a community mural project.

“We want to give the girls a fun and memorable experience,” says Ms Gannon. “As well as the water sports and all the many other fun activities we will arrange for them, there will be a serious side to the camp too. Through a variety of activities and challenges, the girls will learn about the Sustainable Development Goals and they will be encouraged to explore ways that they can make a difference in their local communities and overseas.

“Guiding helps girls develop interpersonal skills and a social and environmental conscience while taking part in team-building and problem-solving games and challenges. They also learn how to speak out on issues that concern them and how to inspire others to take action too.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5+ and adult volunteer leaders from age 18+. See www.irishgirlguides.ie for further information or tel: 01 6683898.

ENDS

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. 

Former Supreme Court Judge says today’s Girl Guides will be leaders in achieving a 50-50 world

Ireland, 07/03/2017 – Women will not reach economic parity with men until 2133 if the current rate of progress continues, according to the World Economic Forum. The Irish Girl Guides (IGG) say this is not soon enough and are joining the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in calling for transformative change to take place within the current generation of girls and young women.

“Our members are not prepared to wait over 100 years for economic parity,” says IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon. “The current generation of girls needs to see transformative change during their lifetime and, as an organisation, we are committed to making that happen.

“Girl Guides began because a small group of girls turned up to a rally for boys saying they wanted the same opportunities. In the 100 years since, some things have improved in Ireland but not for girls around the world.

“Far too many girls are held back because of harmful norms and gender stereotypes in society. IGG gives girls a safe space where they can develop resilience and leadership skills and the ability to speak up and take action to change their world and the world around them. We aim to create a safer, more equal world for girls and young women everywhere.”

Ms Concannon was speaking ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March 2017). This year’s theme ‘Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50’ throws the spotlight on how to ensure women’s economic empowerment in the world of work.

IGG members are sharing on social media their female role models – what makes these women so special and how they inspire them. The wider public is encouraged to share their role models too using the hashtag #GreatGirlLeaders.

Former Supreme Court Judge Catherine McGuinness, who is a former Girl Guide and is currently an ambassador for the organisation, says: “It’s great to see Irish Girl Guides taking an active part in International Women’s Day. From its very beginnings the Irish Girl Guide movement has encouraged not just equality but also leadership among girls and women.

“The Planet 50-50 in the Changing World of Women at Work is certainly just as relevant here in Ireland as it is on the international scene. We still have a long way to go before we actually stand on that 50-50 planet! I know that today’s generation of Irish Girl Guides will be leaders in achieving that 50-50 world.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5-30 and volunteer leaders from age 18+. For further information, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or tel: 01 6683898.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides. Tel: 085 8570565

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. 

Girls wear their Irish Girl Guides’ uniforms to school to help expand the movement

Ireland, 22/02/2017 – The 12,000 members of Irish Girl Guides are today joining 10 million Girl Guides in 146 countries across the globe in taking action to ‘grow’ the Guiding movement. 

Of the 800 million girls around the world today, 10 million are Girl Guides or Girl Scouts. It is hoped to increase that number so that even more girls have a safe space in which to grow and develop to their full potential.

World Thinking Day [22 February] is a day when Girl Guides across the globe give thanks for the international friendships they enjoy through the Guiding movement and raise money to deliver life-changing opportunities for girls in underprivileged communities in developing countries. This year’s World Thinking Day theme is ‘Growth’.

Thousands of girls have been wearing their Irish Girl Guides (IGG) uniform to school for a day this week or last week in an effort to raise the profile of the organization and encourage more girls and young women to join.

IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said: “We believe that every girl should have the chance to grow, learn and reach her full potential. By joining Ladybirds (age 5-7), Brownies (age 7-10), Guides (age 10-14) or Senior Branch (age 14-30), girls and young women can grow in confidence and independence while developing teamwork, leadership and other essential life skills.”

Ms Concannon said that involvement in Guiding also helped girls and women develop a social and environmental conscience and discover how they can make a difference in their local communities and in the wider world. “Teenage members and young adults also have exciting opportunities to travel and experience different cultures as they mix with Guides from other countries,” she said.

“Guiding provides a safe space where girls can grow and we hope to see the Guide movement grow in Ireland and across the world. We promote fun and friendship and personal growth and, as members of the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world, the opportunity to take action to promote equality and justice locally and globally.”

Shannon Harkin (age 11) of Seashell Guides, Ballygarrett, Co Wexford, enjoyed wearing her Guide uniform to school. “Some of my friends thought it was nice and they were asking about the badges and what they were for. It was nice to be able to tell them what we do in Guides,” she said. “I like that we get to choose what we want to do and learn lots of new skills and I like that you get to meet different groups of Guides.”

Eva Casey (age 11) of Seashell Guides, Ballygarrett, Co Wexford, said she especially enjoyed camping and day trips. “You become more independent and you get a lot of confidence as you do new things. You always come out of Guide meetings in a happy mood.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5+ and volunteer Leaders from age 18-80. 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. 

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.

Jillian van Turnhout receives Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite

Ireland, 10/02/2017 – Irish Girl Guides congratulates its former Chief Commissioner, Jillian van Turnhout, on being awarded the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by the President of the French Republic.  

The Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite – the second highest national order of France – was presented to Ms van Turnhout by the Ambassador of France to Ireland, H.E. Jean-Pierre Thébault, last night at an event in his Dublin residence.

The award was made in recognition of van Turnhout’s work in strengthening children’s rights and for her engagement with civil society organisations across Europe.

Van Turnhout, who is a former senator, was Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) from 2001 to 2007. She continues her involvement in the organisation in her role as District Commissioner and a Trainer on Code of Ethics. She chaired its Programme Review Steering Group, which resulted in the introduction of a brand new programme across all age ranges in 2015.

The current IGG Chief Commissioner, Helen Concannon, who attended the event, said: “We are delighted to congratulate Jillian on the acknowledgement by another country of her tireless work for young people. She epitomises what the Baden Powells, the founders of Guiding and Scouting, meant when they said, ‘Girls should be brought up to be comrades and helpers, not to be dolls. They should take a real and not a visionary share in the welfare of the nation.’

“We are proud of all Jillian has achieved and all she continues to achieve through her involvement with Girl Guides,” she added.

Ms van Turnhout said she was immensely honoured to be recognised by the President of the French Republic. “I strongly believe we must equip girls and young women, across the world, to achieve their full potential. This is why I continue to be a proud and active member of the Irish Girl Guides,” she said.

“As a global movement, Guiding has given me life skills and instilled a value system that keeps me striving for a better, fairer and more inclusive society. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, and continues to support me, on my journey.”

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides. Tel: 085 8570565.

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Ladybirds are age 5-7, Brownies age 7-10, Guides age 10-14 and Senior Branch members age 14-30. 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 of the world. Girls can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Arts and Crafts, Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller.

Galway supermodel lends her support to Girl Guides’ Free Being Me programme

Ireland, 07/02/2017 – Miss International Ireland, Katherine Gannon, has given her thumbs up to the Girl  Guides’ Free Being Me body confidence campaign, which is empowering young people across Ireland to speak out and challenge body image myths.

Gannon, a 25-year-old model from Galway, believes that health and happiness should always come first. Speaking to members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG) in Lucan earlier this week, Gannon said: “If you don’t have health and you don’t have happiness, you don’t have anything.”

Gannon, who is an accounts manager by day, is on a mission to tell girls and women that “there is nothing wrong with you just the way you are”. She said: “My message to girls and young women is to never go down a road that is unhealthy. If you’re not healthy and happy doing something, then there’s no point in doing it.”

This message ties in with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts/Dove Free Being Me programme that IGG and the Catholic Guides of Ireland have been promoting the past three years.

Free Being Me gives girls an insight into airbrushing and teaches them that the images they see of women in the media have more often than not been digitally altered. This boosts their self-esteem and helps them to accept their natural body shape and to use their bodies for what they enjoy – whether that is sport, dance, music etc.

Until she did a reality TV show, Fashion Hero, in the autumn, Gannon did not go anywhere without wearing make-up. Since the show, however, which saw her “stripped” of make-up at one point, she has happily gone without make-up for much of the time.

Initially she found it traumatic to have to remove her fake tan and make-up, but in the end she found it “freeing” when she was told she looked just as beautiful without. It has given her the confidence to go without and she no longer wears any make-up to work.

When Gannon came across Free Being Me on the internet and how it portrays “such a great image of women and gives girls something to look up to”, she got in touch with IGG to say she would like to give her backing to the campaign. She liked the fact that Free Being Me was “a healthy message, a positive message that promotes positive thinking”.

Gannon, who got her first taste of modelling at the age of 13 and whose titles have included World Supermodel Ireland and Miss Galaxy Ireland, is these days more interested in pageantry and promoting causes she believes in than modelling for modelling’s sake.

She enjoyed learning more about Free Being Me from Griffeen Valley Brownies (age 7-10) and Guides (age 10-14) in Lucan who have completed the programme. When they told her that one of the things they had learned was how to take compliments, she said we should definitely compliment each other more.

Emily-Ruth Brennan (age 14) said she had learned that it was OK to be herself. “You don’t have to be perfect for anyone,” she said. “You don’t need to go starving yourself or go to extreme lengths to look perfect. You don’t have to have a flat stomach and super skinny thighs. You’re fine just being yourself.”

Alana McDonnell (13) said she had learned that everyone was insecure and that you shouldn’t have to change anything about yourself. “Free Being Me gave me more confidence and I know that it helped lots of other girls in the Guide unit too,” she said.

Ellie-Rose Cawley (13) said she believed Free Being Me was especially helpful for teenagers who use social media because “they see lots of pictures of beautiful people and they feel pressured to look like them …. You shouldn’t worry about how you look; as long as what is in the inside is nice, that is what matters.”

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides. Tel: 085 8570565.

Notes for editors:

Free Being Me – The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and Dove believe that every girl and young woman should be given the opportunity to fulfil her potential. Body confidence is an important building block of self-esteem. A young woman with high self-esteem believes in herself and her abilities, and feels empowered to make her own choices in life, make her voice heard and make a difference to her local and global community. Free Being Me is an innovative and non-formal education cutting-edge programme for 7-14 year olds. It is based on the latest research into how to increase young people’s body confidence through fun, non-formal educational activities.

All girls who take part in the Free Being Me activities and carry out the Take Action project earn a Free Being Me badge – the first body confidence badge of its kind. For further information see www.freebeingme.com.

World-leading research base – WAGGGS has worked closely with world-leading experts in body confidence education to ensure that Free Being Me has a real and lasting impact on participants’ body confidence. The programme is grounded in over a decade of research and experience of improving girls’ body confidence, from the Body Project Collaborative – a team of researchers and psychologists. Studies by The Body Project and other leading researchers have shown that taking part in activities like those in Free Being Me has a lasting impact on girls’ well-being. One study found that three years after taking part in Body Project activities:

• 60% of girls had significantly improved body confidence
• 78% of girls feel more confident and capable at school
• 71% of girls had better relationships with their peers
• 53% got on better with their families

National Good Turn Week will benefit local communities throughout Ireland, says Newstalk presenter Sarah McInerney

Ireland, 27/11/2016 – A whopping 84,000 Good Turns will be carried out by Irish Girl Guides (IGG) members throughout Ireland this week [from 27 November to 3 December]. Girls from age 5+ will voluntarily tidy up their toys, pick up litter, or say something nice to cheer up a friend, while older girls will complete a range of kind acts – from offering to get groceries for an elderly neighbour, packing Christmas presents for those in need, donating blood or supporting a charity.

Speaking ahead of today’s launch of National Good Turn Week in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, [12.30pm Sunday 27 November 2016], IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said that, by each of IGG’s 12,000 members doing a Good Turn each day this week, it would amount to an incredible total of 84,000 Good Turns across Ireland.

“Good Turns are at the heart of what Girl Guiding is about,” she said. “A Good Turn is a kind act to help another person without being asked and without receiving payment for it,” she said.

“When girls become members of the Girl Guides, they promise to help other people and to do at least one Good Turn every day. The important thing is that these are tasks which a girl has not been asked to do – they are not chores, but something she notices needs to be done and she just does it. This is a skill we need all young people to develop – to be active citizens helping others in their communities.”

Newstalk presenter Sarah McInerney, who is a former Girl Guide, was happy to lend her support at today’s launch and has committed to doing Good Turns during the week too. “National Good Turn Week will be positive for individuals, families and communities,” she said. “By the end of the week all the good turns will have had a ripple effect, reaching people across the country. You don’t have to be an IGG member to get involved, so today is a call for everyone to join us throughout Ireland. Let’s make it a week to feel good about. When you do your Good Turn, share it with the community on social media using the hashtag GoodTurns.”

Anastasia Fitzgerald, a 10-year-old IGG member from Clonmel, said she was looking forward to doing lots of Good Turns. “National Good Turn Week means to me the opportunity to help in my community and to show how kind and helpful everyone can be without expecting anything in return,” she said.

Sarah Glynn, a 10-year-old Girl Guide from Carlow, said that she was going to make an extra effort to be helpful in school by offering to do jobs for her teacher. She said she would also be aware of any of her classmates who needed help finishing their work and would offer to help them. She also promised her parents to do extra jobs around the house in order to give them a rest.

“I can’t believe that 84,000 Good Turns will be done by IGG members – Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides, Senior Branchers and Leaders – in one week,” she said. “It’s awesome!”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes girls from age 5+ and volunteer leaders from age 18+. To find out more, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or tel: 01 6683898.

ENDS 

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides Tel: 085 8570565

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Ladybirds are age 5-7, Brownies age 7-10, Guides age 10-14 and Senior Branch members age 14-30. 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 of the world. Girls can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Arts and Crafts, Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller.

68 teenagers receive the highest Girl Guide Award

Ireland, 23/10/2016 – Sixty-eight members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG) received the Trail Blazer National Guide Award – the organisation’s highest Girl Guide award – at a special ceremony in Croke Park on Saturday [22 October 2016].

The girls, aged 14-15, travelled from all around the country with their families to celebrate reaching the pinnacle of Guiding. Each Girl Guide received a Trail Blazer gold pin and a National Guide Award certificate from IGG President Maureen Dillon and IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon.

The Trail Blazer pin, which was awarded for the first time this year as part of IGG’s new Journey Programme, is made in recognition of the successful completion of a series of challenges, including teamwork activities, outdoor survival skills, community service, global awareness and working with younger IGG members to help them develop confidence, independence and essential life-skills.

Presenting the awards, IGG President Maureen Dillon said: “All of you here today are worthy recipients of the highest award in Guiding. Each of you has worked hard on your own initiative and, in doing so, demonstrated self-motivation, commitment and enthusiasm.

“You have each blazed a trail during your time in IGG in order to receive this Award and I have no doubt that all of you will continue to blaze a trail – not just in your local communities but in wider society too. We are hugely proud of each and every one of you.”

 

Congratulating the Guides, IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said: “Well done to all of you for working to your fullest potential. We know that you will continue to use the life-skills you have developed for the benefit of the wider world. We are delighted that many of you are continuing to be involved in IGG as members of Senior Branch where you will continue to develop confidence and self-reliance as responsible citizens and have exciting opportunities to travel and represent IGG at international Guide events.”

Carol O’Brady, Chair of Guide Branch, said: “We are delighted to have 68 Guides receive the National Guide Award today. In Guiding girls are awarded for doing their best and each one of you has done her best – working on your own initiative to carry out a series of challenges. You have learned new skills, which will equip you for life. You have worked hard to achieve what you set out to do and so we say a big ‘well done’ to each and every one of you. We encourage you to dream big and to continue to strive to fulfil your potential.”

Lt Jennifer Larkin of the Army Equitation School also attended the National Guide Award ceremony and presented 21 national flags to the organisation. She said: “I was delighted to attend the National Girl Guides Awards to speak to them about our national flag and about how the Defence Forces work as a team, much like how the Guides have done to achieve such an award. Similar to our Defence Forces values, the girls have shown physical and moral courage to accomplish this.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5 and volunteer leaders from age 18. Previous experience of Guiding is not necessary. To find out more, see www.irishgirlguides.ie. tel: 01 6683898.

ENDS

Contact: Fiona Murdoch, IGG Communications Officer: 085 8570565 or 086 1706923

Notes for editors: Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members, including 1,800 volunteer leaders. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with the 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 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.

Girl Guides will live on €3.50 a day while hiking 60km and completing eight projects

Ireland, 08/08/2016 – Fifteen young women from around the country have today (Monday 8 August) donned their rucksacks and will be hiking 60 kilometres in Co Kerry over the next five days while carrying all their camping and cooking equipment, clothes, food and water and surviving on just €3.50 a day.

Participants, most of whom are aged between 16 and 19, will also have to complete eight projects and keep a log book of their experiences during the Irish Girl Guides’ Chief Commissioner’s Award survival challenge.

The girls, who are all active members of Irish Girl Guides, come from Lucan, Co Dublin; Bray, Co Wicklow; Edenderry, Co Offaly; and Bishopstown and Macroom, Co Cork. They are participating in teams of two or three.

The projects the girls have to complete are based on exploration of the area but it was impossible for them to prepare for these in advance as they didn’t know which part of Ireland they would be competing in until yesterday! They knew they were to meet at Killarney train station but it was only this morning that they were told that the challenge would be  taking place on the Iveragh peninsula, Co Kerry.

Speaking ahead of the event, Aishling O’Connor (16) of Macroom, Co Cork, said nerves were beginning to kick in and she hoped she had the stamina to last the whole week.

All the girls were well prepared, however, having trained by going on long hikes and camping out overnight. “We hiked a total of 25 kilometres one weekend,” said Aishling, “And we had €7 to spend on food, which I found the hardest (even tougher than being followed by unfriendly bulls)!

“For me, the most difficult aspect of Chief’s will be staying positive while carrying my rucksack, which will be getting heavier every day. It will also be very difficult to refuse the numerous lifts kind people might offer us!”

Aislinn Porter (19) of Bishopstown, Co Cork, said she and her team-mates were well prepared: “We’ve been busy planning, packing and re-packing our bags, road-testing the old hiking boots and route-planning. The most difficult aspect of Chief’s for me will probably be the endurance aspect of the award: balancing project work, route-planning and hiking every day will be difficult and probably exhausting. I feel really grateful that I have the opportunity to take part in the Award, not to mention the wonderful people I will meet and the memories I will make, which will all be added bonuses.”

After the hike, the teams will be assessed by means of their projects and log books as well as a de-briefing with members of the Chief Commissioner’s Award staff. There are three levels of achievement: a certificate is presented to all teams who participate in the event while a woggle and certificate is presented to all teams who complete 60km, the log book and projects. The award itself – a silver Celtic knot pin – is presented to all teams who enter wholeheartedly into the spirit of the award and who benefit significantly from the experience.

Suzanne O’Brien, one of the Award organisers, said: “Fifteen brave participants will take on the adventure of a lifetime whereby their survival skills are put to the test. They are required to complete projects along their marked 60km route and meet the locals to find out more about the area and its history.

“Motivation, high energy, teamwork and enjoyment are the key to success,” she continues. “This challenge is both mentally and physically demanding but also extremely exhilarating to undertake. Not only can you achieve a certificate, woggle or pin but furthermore gain friendship, a sense of accomplishment and good memories that will stay with you forever.

“We wish everyone the best of luck and remember: Have Fun!”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5, young leaders from age 15+ and adult leaders from age 18+. See www.irishgirlguides.ie for further information.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch,

Communications Officer at Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 085 8570565

Notes for editors:

Irish Girl Guides has around 12,000 members, ranging in age from five to 30 years. 1,800 volunteer leaders are involved. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 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 become responsible citizens. They can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including disability awareness, world cultures, science investigation and online surfer.

Girls from 200 Guide units around Ireland took part in the Global Trek

Ireland, 06/07/2016 – Irish Girl Guides (IGG) members have trekked 40,000km in the past six months – the same distance as walking the entire way around the globe!

Girls, young women and volunteer leaders from 200 IGG units around the country took part in the Global Trek. Some walked around their neighbourhoods and local parks while others hiked in forests, around lakes, up mountains and on overseas Girl Guide trips.

The initial goal was to walk 20,000km – the distance from the North Pole to the South Pole – by 1 May 2016. This target was reached ahead of schedule, however, and the girls enjoyed the challenge so much that they decided to see if they could clock up enough kilometres to make it back to the North Pole.

The final kilometres of the Global Trek were completed on Monday 4 July 2016 – the last day of a weekend event, which saw 800 IGG members from Eastern Region camping in the Dublin foothills at Larch Hill, Tibradden.

There was a great sense of excitement and accomplishment among the girls when the final tally showed that the target of 40,000km had been reached!

IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said: “The idea behind the initial North to South Pole Trek was that we wanted to give girls the opportunity to get outside and do something fun and active without it being competitive.”

The fact that the girls achieved double their target figure was not a complete surprise to Concannon. “This is a real example of how our members work together to make something happen because not only did we get from the North Pole to the South Pole but, people were so amazing and fantastic, that we made it all the way there and back again,” she said. “Our girls are great at being active and achieving great things along the way. We have done an amazing feat by working together!

“We often hear of the difficulties some schools and organisations face in getting teenage girls to take part in physical exercise. Our Global Trek shows how easy it can be, if you make it interesting and provide the opportunity for girls to do it together in a fun way!”

Taking part in the trek counted towards younger members earning badges like Active Body, Nature Observer and Local Knowledge, while for girls from age 10+ it will have helped them achieve their Hiker, Rambler or Outdoor Adventure badges.

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.

Mary-Kate Nevin was the first Traveller girl to win Irish Girl Guides’ Gold Award

Dublin, 02/06/2017 – A Navan Girl Guide won the Youth Award at the Irish Traveller Movement’s Traveller Pride Awards, which were held yesterday (1 June 2016) in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.

Last November Mary-Kate Nevin was the first Traveller girl to win the Irish Girl Guides’ prestigious Gold Award in recognition of the contribution she had made to her local community.

Mary-Kate worked hard on her own initiative and undertook a number of challenges. She enjoyed singing in a nursing home and helping out with Brownies (Irish Girl Guides’ members aged 7-10) so much that she is continuing with these activities.

Accepting the Traveller Pride Award yesterday, Mary-Kate Nevin said, “I am so proud to be recognised for my achievements by the Girl Guides and by my own community.”

Presenting her award, former Senator, Children’s Rights campaigner and former Chief Commissioner of Irish Girl Guides, Jillian van Turnhout, said: “I am an extremely proud sister in Girl Guiding presenting this Award to Mary-Kate Nevin. She achieved the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) Gold Award challenge, and in doing so, showed her self-motivation, hard work and enthusiasm and demonstrated in bucket loads her commitment to her local community and to becoming a confident and responsible citizen of the wider world.  She is an outstanding winner of the Traveller Pride Youth Award.”

Denise McDonnell, Mary-Kate’s aunt and Girl Guide Leader, said Mary-Kate’s family and friends were delighted with her achievements. “Irish Girl Guides is a wonderful organisation to be involved with,” she said. “It was through Mary-Kate’s involvement with Guiding that she won the Traveller Pride award and she was delighted to receive this award amongst her Traveller peers.”

Denise said Mary-Kate had never looked back since joining Brownies when she was seven-years-old and that her involvement in Guiding had helped her grow in confidence. “As the eldest grandchild and the only girl in her family, the opportunity to mix with other girls her own age has been invaluable,” she said.

Denise, who has been a Girl Guide Leader for almost 13 years, said she has always enjoyed seeing how much girls grow in team-building and leadership skills through their involvement in Guiding as well as developing a range of essential life skills and having a lot of fun. She said there were even more opportunities for Mary-Kate in Senior Branch (the IGG section for 14-30 year-olds), including increased independence and the possibility of overseas travel.

“Without exception, I find Guiding to be the most open organisation,” said Denise. “It is the only place I have never seen any discrimination. Guiding is all about the children, whether they are Irish, Polish, Indian or Travellers, and that’s the way it should be – a space for girls to grow in confidence.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5 and adult volunteer Leaders from age 18. To find out more, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or tel: 01 6689838.

ENDS

Photo captions:

Navan Girl Guide, Mary-Kate Nevin, pictured with former Senator Jillian van Turnhout who presented her with the Youth Award at the Irish Traveller Movement’s Traveller Pride Awards

National Youth Council of Ireland award recognises high standard of health promotion

Ireland, 01/06/2016 – Irish Girl Guides has been awarded a 5^th Gold Health Quality Mark by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) in recognition of its high standard of health promotion.

The organisation’s wide-ranging programme for girls and young women aged 5-30 includes a number of health-promoting activities and badges, including Active Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Friendship, Drug Awareness and Personal Safety. These incorporate such topics as healthy eating, physical health, relationships, self-esteem, bullying and stress management. Guides age 10+ can also earn badges on Skin Care and Independent Living Skills.

Irish Girl Guides (IGG) members regularly take part in a variety of indoor and outdoor challenges, which help them develop teamwork and leadership skills, resilience and self-confidence – all of which contribute to a healthy body and mind.

A five-week body confidence programme called Free Being Me, which was introduced two years ago, helps girls realise that there is no such thing as ‘the perfect body’. Girls are encouraged to accept their natural shape and to use their bodies for activities that they enjoy – whether that is sport, dance, drama etc.

Young women from age 16+ can apply to take part in the Chief Commissioner’s Award – a five-day adventure challenge that sees participants hike 60 kilometres while carrying all their camping and cooking equipment, living on less than €4 a day and completing eight projects along the way.

NYCI’s Health Quality Mark aims to enhance best practice and a high standard of quality in health promotion work in youth organisations. IGG was the first national volunteer-led youth organisation to achieve this standard in 2003 and has succeeded in retaining it ever since, with monitoring checks held every three years.

IGG Chief Executive Officer Linda Peters said she was delighted that the organisation’s ongoing health-promoting work was being recognised in this way. “We take great pride in the high quality youth work our 12,000 members are involved in across the country and welcome this acknowledgement of that work,” she said.

“In the last three years, since our last award, we have continued to incorporate health-focused approaches in our programmes, events and weekly meetings because we believe that they form the basis of good quality youth work relevant to today’s young people. This involves training for leaders, staff, support and resources for our youth members in fun, participative and educational ways.”

Congratulating the Irish Girl Guides on their achievement, NYCI Director Mary Cunningham said the Gold Award was testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the organisation. “This service is managed and staffed by people who are committed to the highest quality standards in health promotion and to the well-being of all who use the youth service.

“Congratulations are in order to the staff and 1,800 leaders throughout Ireland who ensure that IGG’s work is in line with national and international best practice in the area of youth health promotion. I have every confidence that this service will continue to be a healthy and safe place for young people, volunteers and staff and that health promotion will remain a key priority.”

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5+ and volunteer leaders from age 18+. For further information, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or tel: 01 6683898.

ENDS

Contact:

Fiona Murdoch,

Communications Officer at Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 085 8570565

Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie

Girl Guides walk 20,000km – equal to trekking across the globe!

Ireland, 04/05/2016 – Irish Girl Guides members have trekked 20,000km in less than three months – the same distance as walking from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Girls from age 5+ took part in the North to South Pole Trek, which saw 12,000 members throughout Ireland hiking in their neighbourhoods, in parks, in forests, up mountains, around lakes, on beaches and on overseas Guide trips.

Irish Girl Guides (IGG), which will shortly receive its fifth Gold Health Quality Mark from the National Youth Council of Ireland, encourages girls and young women to pursue adventures and challenges both indoors and outdoors and to develop resilience and other essential life-skills.

Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon, who is a volunteer, came up with the idea for the trek when she realised that if every Ladybird (age 5-7) walked one kilometre, every Brownie (age 7-10) two kilometres, every Guide (age 10-14) three kilometres and every Senior Branch (age 14-30) member and Leader four kilometres, then a total distance of 20,000 kilometres would be completed very easily.

In fact, Girl Guides of all ages enjoyed the challenge so much that they not only reached the target distance four days ahead of schedule but they also overshot the target number of kilometres with more than 23,000 kilometres completed by 1 May 2016!

“Girl Guides always enjoy a challenge and we never say anything is impossible, so I knew, when we announced the trek at our annual training day on 7 February, that together we would achieve what we set out to do,” said Helen. “I was confident we would reach our target of 20,000 kilometres but I wasn’t sure we would reach it so soon and I had been prepared to put out a May Day call if we hadn’t made it!

“Statistics are often quoted of the number of girls, and teenagers in particular, not engaging in physical exercise. We find that girls are very happy to take part in exercise through initiatives such as this because they do it in a fun group environment without any pressure to perform or compete.

“This message of non-competitive participation in healthy activities is a key component of what the Irish Girl Guides do on a weekly basis. We wanted to highlight this by trekking from the North to the South Pole and showing that our girls can get active and achieve great things along the way.”

Taking part in the trek counted towards younger members earning badges like Active Body, Nature Observer and Local Knowledge, while for girls from age 10+ it will have helped them achieve their Hiker, Rambler or Outdoor Adventure badges.

Blackthorn and Hawthorn Guides, Co Limerick, enjoyed the challenge so much that the members ended up completing 466 kilometres over the course of a fun day out and a weekend away. “I really enjoyed the walk to the sea as we had a great adventure strolling through the woods to get there,” said Aislinn Barnes (age 11). “Also, getting outside was so fun while the sun was beaming.”

Olivia Lynch (age 6), a member of Mullagh Ladybirds, Co Cavan, enjoyed taking part in the trek, which her leaders also made into a scavenger hunt and an opportunity to learn the principles of the outdoor ethics programme Leave no Trace. “I really had lots of fun with the other Ladybirds,” said Olivia. “It was great when we were trying to find things in the colours of the rainbow. We had to draw them in our book then.”

Clodagh O’Donoghue (age 12), a Guide in Killarney, really enjoyed the 10 kilometre trek she did with her fellow Guides from Muckross House to Dinis and back again. “My favourite part of Guides is when we go on walks and go camping,” she said. “My favourite part of the hike was when we played in the water; the water was so cold it was refreshing! I like Guides because it gives me the opportunity to do nearly anything – from learning simple life-skills to making friends from all over the world.”

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

Helen Concannon, Chief Commissioner, Irish Girl Guides

Tel: 086 8206365

Email: chief.commissioner@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. 

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