Five Kildare youth leaders honoured
From Left to Right: Áine Kerr, Gaisce Chairperson, Fiona Coghlan, Irish Rugby International, Frieda Bent KARE and Avril Ryan, Gaisce CEO.
FIVE Kildare volunteers with a combined 60 years of service were recognised at a national event in Dublin Castle on Thursday (20 November) as part of Gaisce’s 40th anniversary.
Both Freida Bent and Helen Farrell from KARE in Athgarvan were two of the recipients recognised for their decade of service to Gaisce, alongside Vanassa Bagnall from Scoil Mhuire Community School in Clane.
Alongside this trio were the venerable James Langton from St Mary’s College in Naas, and Claire Molloy, Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge – both of whom were picking up their awards for 15 years of service.
The five were among 111 President’s Award Leaders (PALs) who were recognised and honoured for their years of dedicated service supporting young people through the Gaisce programme.
The event celebrated the work of PALs from all over Ireland who work voluntarily supporting, encouraging and guiding young people who undertake their Gaisce Award each year.
Those honoured represent a variety of organisations that work with Gaisce, including post-primary schools, youth organisations, youth diversion services, disability services, youth justice and prison services.
“Our extraordinary President’s Award Leaders make the Gaisce journey possible for young people, amounting to over half a million in the past 40 years,” said Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce.
The award is Ireland’s national youth award and is a personal development programme for young people aged 14-25.
Over half a million people have participated since its inception in 1985, with almost 27,000 Gaisce recipients being awarded in 2024 alone, the highest number since the programme began in 1985.
