Autumn/Winter 2013
Gaisce Alumni Network ! E d it or ’ s W el co m e
e u s s I s Thi
2013 has been a very busy year for the Gaisce Alumni Network. This year has been action packed with everything ranging from surfing in Bundoran to a Pan European Hike. As always, the Alumni were
Expedition
and Silver Award Ceremonies.
24-Peak Challenge
represented at this year’s Gold Award Ceremony
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2013 was also a year of change. We said farewell to former Chief Executive of Gaisce and long term friend of the Alumni Barney Callaghan who retired during the year. Barney has always supported the Alumni and we hope that
We bring you a report on the 24 peak challenge organised by ourselves along our friends from Latvia, Czech Republic and Slovenia funded by Léargas
he will continue to support us in his retirement.
PAL Training
up employment in the United Arab Emirates and our secretary Oliver Clare
Would you like to be a PAL
We also said Au revoir to our former chairperson Karen Doyle who has taken who has moved to the UK to pursue further education. Both were instrumental this year in helping the Alumni progress from strength to strength in securing funding for our hike and registering the Alumni as a registered company. We
Details of upcoming PAL training courses organised by Gaisce that will be taking place throughout the country
thank them both for all their work and we hope that you will remain in
Award Ceremonies
We welcome our new Chairperson Benny King from Cavan, Vice- Chair
Congratulations to this year’s Award Recipients!
contact. Ronan Friel from Wicklow and Secretary Helena Mc Gee from Clonmel who were elected at a recent committee meeting. All three bring their vast experience to the Alumni and will remain in office until our AGM in the early new year.
We have a report from this year’s Gold Award ceremony and the Silver Award Ceremonies that took place recently.
2 of Ireland’s Universities have embraced the Gaisce challenge this year and
Activity Ideas
university experience by partaking in the Gaisce Award Programme. More
Adventure
both UCC and UCD are currently encouraging students to broaden their details of this inside.
2013 also saw the passing of Gold Award Holder and Adventurer Ian McKeever who has tragically killed scaling Kilimanjaro back in January. We express our sympathies to all those in the Gaisce and International Award Family who were bereaved during the year.
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I would like to thank all the various contributors, not only to this edition but to the previous editions throughout the year. As always if you have any articles that you want to send in (along with lots of pictures) pop me an email at gaiscealumni@gmail.com
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Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2014,
Peadar Ó Lamhna
In this issue we focus on the Adventure aspect of the award and give you some ideas how this section can be completed
Opportunities
Details on various opportunities that may be of interest to Alumni members!
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& LOTS MORE!
P.A.L TRAINING Gaisce Head Office have organised P.A.L training for the following locations around the country.
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18th January (Saturday) 2014 Ratra House, Dublin$
30th January (Thursday) 2014 Ratra House, Dublin$
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1st February (Saturday) 2014 Ambassador Hotel, Cork
All P.A.L. training courses are free of charge but they must be booked through the Gaisce Head Office ( Tel. 01 6171999 or email mail@gaisce.ie) There are limited spaces available so book early! $
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Remember that being a P.A.L is vital for the continued success of Gaisce.
Gaisce Alumni Network 2014 AGM !
Gaisce Alumni Network AGM will be held in early January 2014. We'd like to invite all Gaisce Alumni Network members, current award participants at Bronze, Silver and Gold level, Gaisce Staff and Gaisce Council as well as friends of the Gaisce Award to attend.
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At the AGM we will elect officers for the 2014 year. We will discuss the accomplishments of 2013 and the way forward for 2014. Details of the date, venue and committee positions for ratification for the 2014 year will be announced via email and to our facebook page facebook.com/gaiscealumni in the coming days.
Gaisce Alumni Network 24 Peaks Challenge$ Oliver Clare shares his experience with us. The Pan-European 24 Peaks Challenge, co-ordinated by Gaisce Alumni Network brought together Gold Award participants from Ireland and International Award families across Slovenia, Czech Republic and Latvia.
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The expedition was run by members of the Gaisce Alumni network spearheaded by our expeditions co-ordinator Ronan Friel, who is also a volunteer with DublinWicklow Mountain Rescue team. The challenge was funded through a grant by Léargas, a non-profit organisation that manages national and international exchange programmes in education, training and youth and community work.
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The idea was not only to give participants an opportunity to complete the Adventure Journey section of their award, but also to develop their team-building skills with other participants from around Europe, as well as taking part in a range of hiking-based skills courses and workshops on youth involvement in
Be9y’s Dream Team (including Oliver, 2nd from leE) leaving the Sally Gap
contemporary society, justice and democracy. $ We were visited by Paschal Donohoe (TD for Dublin Central and Minister of State for European Affairs) on Wednesday August 14th. He officially launched the project, giving a talk on Active Citizenship in both a national and European context.
! Shortly afterwards we began a workshop, led by Karen Doyle, on the same subject. We began by discussing Active
Citizenship in broad terms, which then led onto a discussion on the Community Involvement aspects of the Gaisce and Duke of Edinburgh awards. Shortly thereafter, we divided up into smaller groups and were asked to consider the question ‘How Can We Promote More CoOperation between Youth Organisations in Europe?’ Each group prepared a presentation on this topic and then elected a representative to deliver the presentation to the entire room
Extracts from Oliver’s Adventure Log Day 4 – Thursday, 15th August Day 5 – Friday, 16th August 2013. 2013.
Day 7 – Sunday, 18th August 2013.
Distance Covered - 17.5km (Total Ascent - 5,165 metres). We woke up at 6.30am for an early start, followed by transport from An Óige youth hostel to Wicklow Mountains by coach. By 8am, after making last-minute preparations, groups were leaving the starting point at the Sally Gap (their departures were staggered, with each group leaving about 15 minutes apart). The weather stayed clear for the first five peaks, as far as Mullaghcleevaun. However, a thick fog descended on our group at that point, which caused us to overshoot the runway, walking past Moanbane, almost as far as Lacken. Making our way back to the route added a couple of hours onto our day, as we arrived at camp after 8pm.
Distance Covered -15.2km (Total Ascent - 1,803 metres). At 9.30am, we departed Camp 3 for Scarr, after which we needed to walk back the same trail we came up, in order to hit the remaining three peaks, taking in Knocknacloghoge and Luggala before finally reaching the finish-line at the Wicklow Gap at 4.30pm.
Distance Covered - 26km (Total Ascent - 4,271.5 metres). Another group, ‘Biz Birds’, had some injuries also. Therefore, we amalgamated our teams, joining up with Edo Bešič, Lucka Krumpholcová, Elliass Bunde and Nejc Rožanec, to form the ‘Dream Birds’ team. This was the longest day in terms of distance covered, with our group summiting Lugnaquilla (highest peak in Leinster, at 925 metres) just after 5pm. We were fortunate enough to hit the peak during a very clear patch in the weather, reaching the top gave everyone in the group the boost of mental energy needed to finish out the remaining peaks for the day. We reached Camp 2, fairly near Glenmalur, at about 10pm.
! After reaching the finish-line, we were bussed back to An Oige youth hostel on Mountjoy Street. In the original plan, each delegation had been due to give a camp presentation each night, on their country’s culture and history. Due to some late arrivals each night and inclement weather on the expedition, it was not possible to perform any of the presentations at the camps. Therefore when we got back to the hostel the cultural and historical presentations by the Latvian, Slovenian and Czech team members were all given that evening, featuring a wide selection of games, food and drink, dances and theatrical performances.
Liam Maguire reflects on the Pan-European Hike
It was a challenging 4 day and 3 night hike that tested all your fitness and moAvaAonal levels. We experienced all sorts of weather from lovely sunshine some 900 meters high at the top of Lugnaquilla, the highest peak in Leinster overlooking the surrounding countryside to the pouring rain and not being able to see a few meters in front of you. The hike tested our map, compass and navigaAon skills to the extreme especially when the fog and rain did come down and you couldn’t see where you were going.
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The teams worked really well together and we all helped to keep each others moral up. The finish line was a welcome sight. The sense of achievement, success and elaAon was felt throughout the whole group in compleAng the hike.
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As a result of the hike, new friendships have been formed with contact remaining with our Irish and European friends through Facebook. I would encourage any young person to get involved with Gaisce and take on a personal challenge. The Gaisce Alumni team are a great support and they provide ideas, support and organise events such as these for those compleAng their Gaisce award.
Right: Minister of State for European Affairs Pascal Donohue TD officially launches the expedition
European Voluntary Service – Changing Lives! Would you like to learn more about
young people who might not
leaving your home country, and to
yourself, develop new skills,
otherwise be able to do EVS.
stay in touch and conAnue to support
experience a different culture and
Currently part of the Youth in AcAon
you for the duraAon of your stay. EVS
meet new people? Got the urge to
Programme, EVS aims to provide
sending organisaAons in Ireland can
travel or a passion for volunteering?
opportuniAes for young people
be found at hbp://ec.europa.eu/
across Europe and beyond to develop
youth/evs/aod/hei_en.cfm You may
as acAve ciAzens, to develop
even be involved with an organisaAon
solidarity and promote tolerance
who works with young people and
among young people and to foster
who could look to become accredited
mutual understanding between
as an EVS sending organisaAon –
young people in different countries.
contact the NaAonal Agency, Léargas
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, then European Voluntary Service could be just the opportunity you’ve been waiAng for!
What is it? European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a
During a long-‐term EVS project, volunteers will abend two naAonal
at evs@leargas.ie, for further informaAon.
trainings where they will meet with
Usually your hosAng organisaAon will
programme which enables young
other young people from around
make an applicaAon to their NaAonal
people (aged 18 to 30) to spend
Europe and be supported to reflect
Agency for funding under one of
between two and twelve months in
on their EVS journey. Volunteers also
three annual deadlines – so you do
another country, undertaking a
have the opAon to receive a
need to start searching for an EVS
programme of volunteer work. Over
Youthpass cerAficate which
project well in advance of when you
forty young Irish people took part in
recognises the non-‐formal learning
would like to travel (ideally six
EVS in 2012, in projects ranging from
that takes place during an EVS
months).
project. saving turtles in Greece, to working with internally displaced persons in
How do I get involved?
What else do you need to know? The Youth in AcAon Programme is
Georgia, to working in a youth centre
An EVS project is made up of two
coming to an end in 2013 but EVS will
in Finland, and a cultural centre in
partners – a sending organisaAon and
conAnue under the new European
Estonia.
a hosAng organisaAon – as well as the
programme 2014-‐2020, Erasmus+. In
volunteer. If you are interested in
fact, there will be loads more
taking part in EVS you will first need
opportuniAes for young people to
to find an accredited sending
live, work and learn in other
organisaAon in Ireland who is willing
European countries, or engage in
to support you. Their role will be to
acAviAes with young people from
help you to find an EVS hosAng
other countries. So check out the
organisaAon, to prepare you prior to
Léargas website later this year to find
The European Union provides the funding for young people to take part in EVS. The majority of travel costs are covered, as well as accommodaAon and meals, and a small monthly allowance. ExcepAonal costs are also provided to support
Silver Award Ceremonies 2013 Congratulations to all those who received their Silver Awards in the Bru Boru Centre in Cashel on November 14th. Adventurer Mike O Shea from Dingle was on hand to present the Award and the Alumni Munster Rep Karen O Sullivan and Alumni Secretary Helena Mc Gee were also present on the night. Mike was one of the first ever Gold Awardees and from all accounts his speech on the night left many hoping to pursue their Gold. In Leinster, the Dean of Postrgraduate Studies in Trinity College Professor Aideen Long presented Silver Awards at the beginning of December. Let’s hope to see all those who got a Silver Award getting their Gold Award in a few years and keeping in touch with the Alumni.
ia d e M l a Soci Facebook
Check out the Gaisce Alumni Facebook page for all our latest updates and for award ideas and participants stories. We at the Alumni are extremely keen on getting videos and pictures of you partaking in your Gaisce challenge
https:// www.facebook.com/ gaiscealumni?ref=hl
@GaisceAlumni Follow the Gaisce Alumni Network on Twitter and join in on the conversation with the hashtags #gaiscealumni and #continueyourjourney
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/ Gaisce-Alumni-Network-4649078? home=&gid=4649078&trk=anet_ug_ hm
Join the Gaisce Alumni Network on LinkedIn to see where award holders are now and how the award helped them in finding employment!
If you like taking #nofilter photos join us on Instagram GaisceAlumni
GOLD AWARD CEREMONY 2013 The Annual Gold Gaisce award ceremony took place Tuesday, 12 November 2013 in Dublin Castle. In a much smaller and intimate ceremony than previous years, thirty three participants from around the country were presented at the ceremony with their awards by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins who was also accompanied by Mrs Sabina Higgins.
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Gaisce participants from Bronze and Silver level helped out at the ceremony, dotted around the venue in bright blue t-shirts. Gaisce Alumni Network had a dedicated stand at the ceremony, providing information to participants, PALS and new awardees on "Continuing their Journey. The Alumni were represented on the day by Benny ( who also gave a talk to awardees about the Alumni Network), Ronan and Helena. Alumni Committee member Peadar was also on hand as he received his Gold Award on the day.
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RTÉ presenter Kathryn Thomas hosted the event, and music was provided during the event by the pitch perfect Garda Band as well as two very talented groups, You Tube sensation from Coláiste Lurgan - Seo Linn and St Agnes's children's orchestra from Crumlin.
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The President arrived at 2.30pm to Dublin Castle, introduced by Kathryn Thomas followed by a fanfare by the Garda Band. He gave a speech before presenting the awards and meeting briefly with the participants before departing at 3.40pm. Speeches were also given during the ceremony by Mr John Concannon, Chairperson of Gaisce and Mr Barney Callaghan, former CEO of Gaisce.
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A video was also shown to the audience charting the activities of this year’s cohort of awardees with activities ranging from learning the tin whistle (with an impromptu performance for the President!) to kayaking the River Nile.
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Many awardees signed up to 'Continue Their Journey' with the Gaisce Alumni, and in addition Benny, Ronan and Helena talked to many about becoming a PAL, providing them with the information they would need and offering them support. Helena also explained to them her role as PAL Coordinator within the Alumni.
Some Alumni may have been involved with Being Young & Irish in 2012. This is the latest project from the organisers of that event and it may be of interest to Alumni.
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YOUNG VOICES 2014 – HAVE YOUR SAY!
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WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? ‘Young Voices – Have Your Say’ is a series of consultaAons with young people aged 15-‐30 on how you can be more fully included in society. The consultaAons are part of a European programme called ‘Structured Dialogue’ which gives young people all over Europe a chance to ‘have your say’ about decisions affecAng your life. What you have to say as young people in Ireland will feed into a European Youth Conference being held in Greece in 2014. Everyone who abends the consultaAons in Ireland can apply to be one of the three people represenAng Ireland at that Youth Conference in Greece!
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WHAT WILL WE BE TALKING ABOUT? The overall theme is ‘How can young people be more included in society?’ and we will be discussing: · Jobs · Internships · ApprenAceships · Youth Enterprise and · EducaAon
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WHO IS THIS FOR? The workshops are open to EVERYONE aged 15-‐30! We would really like to hear from you if you are: · Unemployed · An Entrepreneur · A Social Entrepreneur · In educaAon · In training · An ApprenAce · An Intern · A Youth Worker aged between 15 and 30.
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WHERE & WHEN ARE THE WORKSHOPS TAKING PLACE? · DUBLIN, Saturday, January 25th 10.30am – 3.30pm · CORK, Saturday, February 1st 10.30am – 3.30pm
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FURTHER INFORMATION: Website: www.youth.ie/youngvoices Email: youngvoices@nyci.ie or phone: 087 648 0012
Adventure Ideas This edition we look at ideas for the adventure section of your award! The Greenway$ Want to stay in Ireland? Why not try the Greenway in Westport Co. Mayo? 42Km of award winning trails that will suit any type of adventurer! The GreenWay is the longest off road trail in Ireland and follows the old Achill to Westport railway line (now closed). The greenway is suitable for hikers and cyclists and further information is available on www.greenway.ie Wicklow Way/Kerry Way The Wicklow Way and Kerry Way are also another option for those wanting to stay in Ireland and bask in Ireland’s wonderful countryside! Why not visit the Killarney National park on your visit to the Kingdom or visit Glendalough where the Obamas were on their
last visit to the Garden of Ireland? (oooh very fancy). $ A bit further afield? Unsure of the weather conditions? Tired of looking at Ireland’s rural rugged landscape? Why not give the Camino de Santiago in Spain a try? This is a fantastic challenge that allows you to meet new people every day that your walking and gives you that early morning boost that every adventurer loves (nothing like waking up at 5am and setting off on a 20km hike for the day!) [Speaking from personal experience!] There are loads of online forums with plenty of info on the Camino but the most popular route is the Camino Frances (either starting at St Jean (720km) or Sarria (120Km)
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2013 reflections - Ruairí McKiernan
2013 was a milestone year for Gaisce. Arer over a year of intensive review, reflecAon and planning, the organisaAon’s new strategy kicked into gear. We said goodbye to CEO Barney Callaghan and welcomed on board interim replacement Anna Coyle who has been powering ahead with ambiAous plans for the organisaAon. At the heart of these plans is an effort to beber communicate Gaisce to the masses. This means more markeAng, more promoAon and more media. It’ll help people beber understand the great work of the organisaAon, to reach new people, and to celebrate our many achievements. This in turn will help Gaisce grow in strength but also help young people at what is a challenging Ame for many. Youth unemployment and emigraAon rates are too high and not enough is being done to support young people, many of whom fall into disillusionment and depression. That is why Gaisce is so important. It enriches mind, body and soul, fosters pride, and builds community spirit. It has been a humbling experience for me to play a small role on the Gaisce Council and to be inspired by the incredible achievements of the Gaisce awardees from north and south. The passion and commitment of the alumni associaAon conAnues to impress, as does the dedicaAon of the staff, PALS and my fellow Council members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. I have no doubt that 2014 will be yet another big year for Gaisce. My sense is that it is the beginning of a bright new era for the organisaAon and I wish every success to all involved. Ruairí Mc Kiernan is a Presiden0al Nominee to the Gaisce Council and a member of The Council of State
UCD LAUNCHES GAISCE OFFICE Ireland’s largest University- University College Dublin (UCD) has recently launched a new Gaisce office based in the brand new multi million euro Student Centre at the heart of Student life on campus. The office will be run through the Office of the Vice President for Students and Fran Rooney has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the project. Alumni Member Peadar Ó Lamhna is also assisting in being a PAL for participants. UCD are hoping to partner with other 3rd level Gaisce Societies for the Residential and Adventure aspects of the award and it is hoped to get as many societies on board through the UCD Societies Council to help participants through their skill and community aspects. Further information is available from Fran at gaisce@ucd.ie
GAISCE SOCIETY LAUNCHES IN UCC The Gaisce Society is one of University College Corks newest societies! It is the brainchild of MSc Government student, Colin Bradley, who over the summer months developed the idea for the society. The society has over a hundred members on its database, and is actively seeking new members. It plans to undertake both the Gold Residential Project (five days and four nights) and Adventure Journey (four days and three nights) during the course of the academic year.$
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The society will be officially launched on January 16th next, by Youth Engagement Officer of SpunOut.ie, John Buckley. John will officially unveil the banner, will then present to the society on the work of SpunOut.ie. This is in conjunction with UCC Students Union ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ week.$
! Other events for the new year include:$ ! * A talk from Mary McEvoy, actress and former Glenroe star$ !
* Declan Kidney, UCC Director of Sport and Former Ireland Rugby Coach$
! * A coffee-morning in aid of the Nathan Kirwan Trust$ ! * A ‘soaps’ table quiz$ ! * A fundraiser in aid of Marymount Hospice$ ! * Collaborations with other UCC societies$ ! * Collaborative event with NUIG and UCD Gaisce Societies$ !
Colin is also National Volunteers Officer for Cycle Against Suicide, which will take place at the end of April. The society is planning a registration drive, and awareness campaign early in the new year.$
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To get involved in the Cycle Against Suicide email: colin.bradley@cycleagainstsuicide.com $ To get involved with the society email: gaisce@uccsocieties.ie $ Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/GaisceUCC?fref=ts
Stay in contact with the Gaisce Alumni Network We have many ways in which we'd like to engage you, so we'd appreciate it if you could check out our social media platforms below! We always have members around for a chat or some help, so please feel free to contact us by email.
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Email: gaiscealumni@gmail.com$ Web: www.gaiscealumni.eu Twitter: @gaiscealumni Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/gaiscealumni LinkedIn Group: Gaisce Alumni Network Newsletter: http://www.issuu.com/tareisoir
INTERNATIONAL NEWS ROUNDUP A lot has been happening around the International Award world since our last issue; here are some of the main stories The Alumni wish to express our sympathy to our South African Colleagues on the death of the former Patron of their President’s Award Nelson Mandela.
Congratulations to the Founder of the International Award HRH the Duke of Edinburgh who attended his 500th Gold Award Ceremony recently
Congratulations to our Canadian cousins who are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Canadian Award this year!
2013... A big thank you!!
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2013 saw many smiles and accomplishments for the Gaisce Alumni Network...
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Thank you to the 2013 committee and Gaisce Alumni Network members & volunteers for their hard work..
The 2014 International Gold Event will take place in Korea in October 2014. This event will bring Gold Award holders together from all over the world
Gaisce Alumni Network Hoodies
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Received your award, are you a PAL, or you just want to show your Gaisce Alumni colours, then look no further. We have a number of extremely comfortable navy Gaisce Alumni Network hoodies for sale. They are so comfortable that our former chairperson even wore hers around the globe on her gap year away! Please contact us at gaiscealumni@gmail.com to enquire further.
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Thank you to Gaisce Council and Gaisce Staff for their contributions and insights..
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Thank you to our International Award cousins for coming to Ireland and sharing our Gold journeys..
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Thank you to new award holders and participants who've been in contact and want to learn more..
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Thank you to people who've completed specific projects for us in 2013....
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and a big thank you to all of you.. and we hope you'll engage with us in 2014 to help us grow, achieve and "Continue our Journey"
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Spring 2014 Newsle1er now taking submissions
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Involved with Gaisce or Gaisce Alumni Network and have your story to share?
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Our newsle:er is now taking submissions for our next edi?on. We'd love to showcase pictures of you climbing that mountain, cycling that challenge, playing that instrument.. and if you want to tell us a li:le about your journey so far, even be:er! Remember your piece could help inspire other par?cipants who might be looking for inspira?on.
Seasons greetings for 2013/14 Gaisce Alumni Network "Continue your Journey”
Winter 2013 Contributors! Editor: Peadar Ó Lamhna! Christine Carty, Oliver Clare, Helena McGee, ! Karen O Sullivan, Naoise Byrne, Ruairí Mc Kiernan, Colin Bradley, Liam Maguire