Maith Thú Round Up!

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. She is also a Gaisce Bronze Awardee and is currently undertaking her Silver Award. 

Jack is an LCA student at Patrician Secondary, Newbridge. He has always been proactive in school, so once he heard about Gaisce, he knew it would be perfect for him. Participating in the Gaisce means a lot to Jack. It has allowed him to find a new confidence in himself and give back to the community that has given him so much. To Jack, Gaisce is the epitome of his school motto: "Ní neart go cur le Chéile"/"There is no strength without unity". Through dedication and resilience, Jack has developed his strengths, connected with others, and faced challenges head-on. Maith Thú Jack! 

In 2025, Danny travelled to India with the HOPE Foundation as part of their Schools Immersion Programme and Gaisce Adventure Journey. As part of the trip, Danny, alongside other TY students from across the country, saw the incredible work of charities in India, experienced the culture and customs of India, and witnessed the immense benefits of work carried out by charities like HOPE. On their trip, Danny met new people from both Ireland and India, giving them a unique, real-world experience they could not have elsewhere, along with memories that will last a lifetime.

Being PALs together feels “incredibly full circle” for Marion. “What once shaped me as a student now gives me the opportunity to support the next generation, and that feels very special”. The power of Gaisce!

When Aoife began her Gaisce journey at 15, she never imagined the role it would play in shaping her through one of the most difficult times in her life. In 2020, Aoife lost her Mam, Anita, to cancer. In the midst of grief, Gaisce became a source of focus – through sport, volunteering, fundraising and learning, it gave her a reason to keep moving forward. She went on to dedicate her Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards to her Mam’s memory. With the support of her Dad, brother, family and friends, Aoife rebuilt her confidence and discovered what resilience truly means. Now a final-year primary teaching student and a Gaisce Youth Ambassador, Aoife is proud not only of her achievements, but of the person she has become along the way.

Madison and Aron, students at Celbridge Youthreach, recently completed their Bronze Gaisce award! They accomplished the award alongside their studies over the last year through hard work in areas such as sport, exercise, SpunOut wellbeing, FIT Choose Tech online classes, and their fantastic photography project. The centrepiece of the project and exhibition, run in partnership with a local photographer, was a photo safari to Castletown House and its parklands. “The project gave me a new appreciation of photography”, Madison said. “We used professional DSLR cameras and learned about composition and the different settings like aperture and shutter speed”. Maith Thú on fantastic work throughout your Gaisce journey!