Míle Buíochas to Business Support!
May has been the month of success, achievement, and completion for Gaisce participants and staff alike! It has been a particularly busy month for our Business Support Team. They have been hard at work here in Gaisce HQ, processing and dispatching to Gaisce participants across the country during this record completion period, ensuring recipients received their Awards in time for their Award ceremonies. Gaisce’s Business Support Team is led by Louise Place and includes Alex Davis, Deirdre Phelan, and the newest team member, Ayomide Ayeni. Their dedication and commitment help ensure that young people across Ireland are
Gaisce Welcomes Sophie Bell and Nicole Kelly to the Gaisce Comms Team!
Gaisce – The President’s Award is delighted to welcome Sophie Bell (Content Creator) and Nicole Kelly (Communications Coordinator) to our growing Gaisce team. Sophie Bell – Content Creator Prior to joining Gaisce, Sophie worked as a civil servant / QC medicine analyst, and in media. When she is not working on exciting projects in Gaisce, Sophie can be found working on her family farm in Cavan and sharing her journey across her ever-growing social media channels. Sophie graduated in 2021 with a BSc Hons in Agriculture with Animal Science from Harper Adams University, Shropshire.
Maith Thú Round Up!
What a month it’s been, celebrating Maith Thú and all your hard work throughout your Gaisce journey alongside the skills, successes and impact you have made along the way. We’ve had some fantastic Gaisce participants involved in Maith Thú this year. From powerhouse students such as Jack Coffey to advocate and activist, Latisha McRudden, it’s been a pleasure to hear the impact Gaisce has had on young people at every stage of their journey. Check out some highlights from our Maith Thú celebrations: Latisha McCrudden Latisha is a 21-year-old law student at the University of Galway, with a fantastic journey behind her. After overcoming a tumour as a
Traveller Pride Week Spotlight: Latisha McCrudden
In celebration of Traveller Pride Week, we had the pleasure of speaking to Gaisce Awardee and member of the Traveller community Latisha McCrudden about her achievements, work and passions. Latisha is a 21-year-old law student at the University of Galway, with a fantastic journey behind her. After overcoming a tumour as a child and battling mental health struggles, Latisha has been a passionate advocate for mental health, domestic abuse, minority and female rights, believing in equality for all. When asked about her achievements, Latisha’s work across organisations such as the Irish Traveller Movement Youth Forum, Minceirs Whiden Youth Forum, National Women’s Council of Ireland, National
Register Now! Roots and Shoots: A Student Volunteering Conference
The Roots and Shoots: Student Volunteering Conference will take place this Friday, 20 March, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Dora Allman Room at University College Cork (UCC) and online from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm The in-person event will be capped at 50 people, but don’t worry! The second half of the conference will be livestreamed, ensuring that students and supporters of volunteering from anywhere in the world can join and connect. This conference celebrates student leadership, bold ideas, and the transformative partnerships that empower campuses to shape a fairer, more sustainable world.
Roots and Shoots: Gaisce Gold Residential – Weekend 2
The second and final weekend of the Roots and Shoots: Gaisce Gold Residential in partnership with Student Volunteer Ireland and supported by Irish Aid took place in Connemara, Galway, from 16th to 18th January 2026. We welcomed back 16 fantastic young people to participate in workshops and hear from some incredible guest speakers, all focused on sustainable development goals (SDGs). One standout moment of the weekend was the participants’ project presentations, where they mapped the Sustainable Development Goals within their own communities. This exercise highlighted the wide range of organisations, initiatives and spaces already working towards positive social, environmental and economic change across Ireland. Advocacy and global citizenship were central themes of the weekend. emphasised in an
President Catherine Connolly Celebrates Remarkable Achievements of Ireland’s Young People at Gaisce Gold Award Ceremony
President Catherine Connolly will today present 50 young people with the Gaisce Gold Award at a ceremony in Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA Venues), Royal Hospital Kilmainham. This year’s celebration is especially significant, marking both the 40th anniversary of Gaisce and President Connolly’s first time hosting the prestigious Gaisce Gold Award ceremony. The Gaisce Gold Award ceremony celebrates the remarkable personal development and community impact demonstrated by these young people, who have completed the highest level of the President’s Award. Today’s Awardees join a four-decade legacy of participants who have shaped and strengthened communities across Ireland through
Roots and Shoots: Gaisce Gold Residential – Weekend 1 at Ratra House, Phoenix Park
The first weekend of the two-week Roots and Shoots: Gaisce Gold Residential kicked off at Gaisce HQ in Ratra House, Phoenix Park, from 9th – 11th January 2026. Sixteen young people from all over Ireland joined us from across Ireland, including Meath, Roscommon, Offaly, Dublin, and Westmeath. This group of young people brought an infectious energy and set the tone for an unforgettable weekend. The Gold Residential is often a highlight of the Gold Award journey for Gaisce Participants. It’s an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people and take on new challenges during a
We’re Hiring! Business Support Administrator (Full-Time)
Join the Gaisce – The President’s Award team as our new Business Support Administrator (Full-Time). Gaisce – The President’s Award is a self-development programme for young people which enhances confidence and well-being through participation in personal, physical and community challenges. The Business Support Administrator is a key hands-on role at Gaisce, responsible for ensuring the smooth daily operation of our office and administrative functions. This includes managing the processing and distribution of over 27,000 Gaisce Awards annually, supporting our President’s Award Leaders (PALs) and Award Partners (GAPs), and assisting with event preparation, stock coordination and office systems.
Generation Change: Embracing New Horizons
Date: Thursday, 9th October 2025 Location: Indeed Ireland, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2. Join us for Generation Change: Embracing New Horizons, a powerful event that shines a light on the transformative impact of hiring individuals with lived experience of custody. This event will also celebrate the role of the Gaisce Award in supporting young people in custody, helping to unlock new pathways to employment and personal growth. What to Expect: Inspiring Guest Speakers , including policymakers, industry leaders, employers, and individuals with lived experience. Real Stories from employers who have embraced inclusive hiring practices. Networking Opportunities with professionals, advocates, and stakeholders from across the justice
