Girls reach pinnacle of Guiding

SEVEN Northside girls were among 135 Girl Guides who received the highest award possible in Guiding at a special ceremony in Croke Park.  

Cara Sharry of Howth Guides and Kate Smartt, Orla O’Mara, Emma Lundy, Alena Hughes, Katelyn Donohue and Erin Counsel of Rivervalley Guides, Swords, joined girls from all corners of the country to receive the Trail Blazer National Guide Award.

Each girl received a Trail Blazer gold pin from Irish Girl Guides (IGG) President Maureen Murphy and a National Guide Award certificate from IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon.  

IGG President Maureen Murphy congratulated the recipients.

“It is a privilege to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of our Trail Blazers who have all shown commitment in completing the challenges and, in doing so, putting your individual footprint on your tasks,” Ms Murphy told them. 

“You are inspirational, you will inspire younger members and take your learning and experiences gained into your communities and wider society.” 

IGG’s Honorary Ambassador Dr Niamh Shaw said she was “especially excited” to attend the awards to celebrate and acknowledge all the recipients’ outstanding achievements and contributions to the Irish Girl Guides. 

“I want you to keep contributing your very best to everything you pursue in life because you are our future, Ireland's future,” she said.

“We can create any future we want if we dream big enough and work hard enough. I can already see that working hard comes easy to you all, so nothing can possibly stop you from becoming whatever you want in your life.”

Cora Stronge-Smith, Assistant Chair of IGG Guide Branch, said that, without the hard work and commitment of the 135 girls, there would be no celebrations.

“This award 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 members of Irish Girl Guides to help them develop confidence, independence and essential life-skills,” she said.