Inspirational young people from all over Ireland landed on the steps on Dublin Castle last November to receive their Gaisce Gold Award from President Michael D. Higgins .
The phenomenal occasion saw Gaisce Gold Awards presented to 33 young people who excelled and achieved their goals. This year’s Gold Award recipients included young people who spent time volunteering with Oxfam, St Vincent De Paul, working with the poor, the elderly, people with disabilities, and getting involved in their youth groups and clubs.
One recipient included Siobhan Buckley from Co. Cork. Siobhan, a student at NUI Maynooth, has already achieved her Bronze and Silver Gaisce Awards. Siobhan spent 52 weeks in Kanturk Community Hospital, where she provided entertainment for the elderly by playing music, painting pictures and helping patients design Christmas Cards and letters to their families. Along with this, Siobhan took up Harp Lessons and participated in Fleadh Ceoil, An Chuirt Chruitireachta and the Irish Harp Festival; along with completing a hike in Camino De Santiago.
Gaisce’s Chaiman, John Concannon, stated: “It is inspiring to see so many young people receive their Gold Awards, acknowledging the exceptional level of commitment to personal development and community involvement of the 33 awardees. The success of Gaisce is enabled by the enormous effort of thousands of volunteer President Award Leaders (PALs) across the island of Ireland, whom I would like to thank for the leadership and support they give to the Award participants.”