Spring Edition: March 2012
VOL. ONE ISSUE THREE
Tar Éis Óir The President’s Award Holders Association of Ireland
Welcome from Chairperson Hello again everyone, It feels like only yesterday we were reliving the amazing accomplishments of 2011 in our first edition of the new year. But here we are, in spring, in what has already been a jam packed 2012 for TEO. It is my firm belief that all you valued members hold the spirit of Gaisce close to you. With that in mind, it is our continued mission to provide an outlet for your varied interests, keeping the pillars of the award in mind. So far, 2012 has seen us take to the slopes of the Wicklow mountains, provide some well needed help at the animal shelter and learn some tools to help save lives. We hope our next few months of activity will be just as interesting. Sincerely, Christine Carty Chairperson
A new baby in the family! Congratulations to our former Chairperson Cian Timmons and his wife; Melanie who, on Saturday 3rd March had a healthy baby girl. We wish them all the best for the future!
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Among the high life and the wild life A walk around the Dublin Wicklow Mountains on January 25th 2012
Another day, another hike. And a bright and early start from Cavan to meet my walking buddies in Marlay Park. At least the weather was promising more on this fine morning then it was on our previous hike (read all about it in the winter edition of the newsletter). Anyway up to Marlay Park to see what was in store for the day and what sights. Beautiful views and that was just the rest of the group. We started off on our way through wonderful parkland nestled under the Dublin Mountains. Our Hike had begun! Out of the park and up the road and up and up and up. And not just in height for it seemed the more we climbed the meters the more we rose in society! Past the odd private college were the curtsy was not encouraged to the electric gates of the upper classes. High society indeed!! From there it was still further up dodging golf balls and onto a forest trail. Where all of a sudden we realised why we put ourselves through this..em pain. Dublin Bay in all its sunny glory opened up below us. And although we had still a good bit to go yet we were confident that things could only get better. On we marched buoyed on by this new excitement. Leaving our trusty forest track we stepped onto the Wicklow way and after a while stopped to take on liquids and a light snack overlooking the smoky remains of the Hell Fire Club, the history of which was retold by our supreme leader Christine. Suitably revived and with the sound of cloven feet behind us we went on our merry ‘Wicklow’ way. On we went until we came to the turn for our first summit. The Wicklow Way from here went on her winding path calling us to Glendalough and beyond. But her virtues were not for us to sample this day as we slipped away with the fairies up to their Fairy Castle. A toast to the lords of mischief to allow safe passage through their realm, a few photos and the now obligatory Facebook check-in and we were back on the trail. Down we headed with the masts of RTE as our guide and companions. Down with the view of Dublin spread out below us drawing our gaze from every treacherous step. Over to Seefin and its easy to see how it got its name (you can nearly see Finland). Here a moment of madness. We decided to form a band. Alas you will not be hearing The ‘Three Rocks’ topping the charts any time soon as we only got as far as the band photo. But the dream was good while it lasted. Time is forever a cruel mistress, and she was calling time on us. We turned for our descent among the decent people of Dublin, the stroller, the hiker the mountain biker we headed for home. Down once again to our forest track and past our old friends in High Society we arrived back in Marlay Park to stroll across green playing fields and listening to children playing (and throwing the odd tantrum) all unaware of the fantastic games to be had just up the road from them. All was left to do now was to replace the calories burned, so off for a feed and to reflect on what was a wonderful days stroll. Good weather, better company and grub to match. Now that’s high living So until next time, Dear Reader. Hopefully you can come away with the fairies with us.
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DSPCA Volunteering Day 2012 As part of our wish to showcase volunteering ideas for our participants, TEO members came together on a cold February morning to provide some much-needed help at the DSPCA shelter in Dublin. Shelter staff welcomed us with open arms (and paws), so we could provide support wherever it was needed most on the day. I must say, the regular shelter volunteers and DSPCA staff are some of the most inspiring people we’ve ever met. Not only is their passion for animal welfare fantastic, so is their belief in the shelters good work. We all enjoyed ourselves so much, it was hard for us to leave. A special shout out must go to committee member Deirdre, who’s slight aversion to dogs didn’t hold her back from
helping out on the day. She found her calling instead, in the cattery... and possibly wanted to bring all of the lovely cats home with her. Special mention should also go to Gold participant Robyn, who has since planned another day of volunteering. After all our hard work, we needed some well-earned R&R, so headed out to the Porterhouse Central on Nassau Street for a pint or two. As part of this TEO social night, members who could not make it to the shelter in the morning to volunteer, came to hang out and dance the night away. A special thanks to everyone who helped make the day so successful and to all the lovely cats, dogs, pigs, donkeys and other animals
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St. Patrick’s 5km Festival Road Race Tar Éis Óir is taking part in the St. Patrick’s 5km Festival road race. The race will take place in Dublin on Sunday, 18th March, beginning at 12.00 noon from the Mansion House on Dawson Street, where runners will follow a route through Georgian Dublin before returning again to the finish line at the Mansion House. Part of the proceeds raised will go to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin with the balance going to fund facilities being provided for young athletes by the organising club Metropolitan Harriers & St. Brigid’s Athletic Club.
The Great Ireland Run on Sunday 15th April On Sunday 15th April Tar Éis Óir will be taking part in The Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park. This is a ten kilometre run which we will be doing in aid of Irish Autism Action. April is Autism awareness month. The IAA is an umbrella organisation with over 40 member groups which ranges from the 13 Special Schools for Children with Autism to local support groups and are located in practically every county in Ireland. They have set up Ireland’s first National Diagnostic and Assessment Centre known as Solas which is based in Dublin and run the National Autism Helpline. If you are interested in taking part with TÉÓ please let us know and sign up on their website which is available here: http:// www.greatirelandrun.org/Events/2012/ Default.aspx.
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Tar Éis Óir Silver Cycle Expedition: Ring of Kerry 02 Aug - 05 Aug 2012 Tar Éis Óir is pleased to announce that we are in a position to run a Silver Expedition in 2012. This expedition will take the form of a Cycle and this event will incorporate the ring of Kerry and will meet requirements for the Silver Expedition component of Gaisce the Presidents Award. Numbers: This expedition will be designed 8-10 Persons taking part with two leaders to provide support and guidance Who : This event is open to all participants of the silver award who are above the age of 18 TEO members, Associate members or friends of participants may also take part, however priority will be given to silver participants. Participants will be required to have a reasonable level of fitness and an ability to cycle. The ability to participate will be decided by the expedition leader whos decision shall be final. Participants will be responsible for ensuring that they have appropriate insurance for the event and should expect to carry out planning and preparation work for the expedition in advance of the event. What : The silver cycle will incorporate approximately 219 km of travel across Co.Kerry. Accommodation will be in hostels, however participants will need to carry all necessary equipment with them. When: The expedition will take place between 02-05 August 2012, however participants will need to commit to training and planning meetings that will run from 08MAY12 onwards through to the expedition date.Training will take place in a location as decided by the expedition coordinator. Where: The expedition will begin and end in Killarney Co.Kerry. Participants are responsible for their transfer to and from this location at the start and finish of the trip. Route : The route will incorporate the Ring of Kerry, a well known Kerry touring cycle.
This route includes stops in locations including : (i) Killarney, (ii) Kenmare, (iii) Caher Daniel, (iv) Valencia Island, (v) Caherciveen. Cost : Projected Costs will vary depending on the number of participants and whether or not you have your own suitable bicycle that you can transport to and from the event. We anticipate costs not to exceed €170, inclusive of food, accommodation and cycle hire inclusive of all spares and safety equipment if necessary.
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H E A R T S AV E R A E D / C P R C O U R S E On Saturday 25th February we organized a CPR course in Ratra house for Tar Éis Óir members at 10am. Despite a shaky start (locking ourselves out of the house!) we had a very successful morning. Participants practiced essential life saving skills including mouth to mouth, chest compressions, the use of an automated external defibrillator and how to respond to a person choking.. Thank You so much for everyone who attended and to Stephen Peers for saving us and Barney O’Callaghan for his tremendous hospitality in facilitating us in the house!
Off Site Safety Management Course 21st & 22nd April 2012 A two day course is being run on the 21st and 22nd of April by Tar Éis Óir to equip people with the necessary safety skills needed for the organisation of a range of outdoor activities. It will take place in Gaisce Head Office, Ratra House, North Road, Phoenix Park.
The OSSM course is administered by the Royal Geographical Society in London and has been running in the United Kingdom for a number of years. It is the second time the course has been run in Ireland. This course aims to allow delegates to safely plan, execute and review trips away from their usual environment at every level - from school trips to full scale expeditions. Thus it would be useful for many people in a range of different areas from teachers, Presidential Award Leaders, to those involved in the organising of leisure activities. The course will cost participants 25 euro each. The standard price for the course is 250 pounds sterling. Places will be limited so if you are interested please email us on tareisoir@gmail.com.
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P R E S I D E N T I A L AWA R D L E A D E R S S O U G H T Due to an increased interest, Gaisce is organising a second Presidential Award Leader Training Day on Saturday 31st March. If you are interested you will need to fill out a form and send it to Gaisce before attending the session. You can contact us or Gaisce directly for this form and further information. The course will begin at 9.30am and will be over at 2.30pm approximately. There is no cost to attending this course and it will run in Gaisce Head Office in Ratra House, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
P R E S I D E N T I A L AWA R D L E A D E R S S O U G H T Tar Éis Óir is always looking for new and eager Presidential Award Leaders. We are currently compiling a national database of P.A.Ls. A PAL can be a teacher, Youth leader or any adult (other than a family member) who is interested in supporting the award. The PAL is responsible for explaining the award to potential participants, agreeing an appropriate challenge with interested young people and monitoring and motivating the participants. They sign off when participants complete the award. If this sounds like something you would be interested in doing please contact the Gaisce office directly and they will let you know the next steps involved. It is a truly rewarding experience and allows you to share your love of the Award and its significance to others within your community. Call the Gaisce office on (01) 6171999 for further details and to book a training day or email us to include yourself in our national database of Presidential Award Leaders.
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A message from the Slovenian Gold Award Holders Association "The
cooperation
between
the
Gold
Award
Association and our international award office in Slovenia is very important. I can say that there is a large involvement from the youth in Slovenia, even if the Award is young and we are working as an International Award. We all want to make a difference on many different aspects. And because of that we devided our small group of Gold Award Holders in On the way to new opportunities./ Best way for getting new ideas
good will that on that way we can achieve even more. Since last IGE (September 2011) we have worked on extending the Award into different organisations that work with or for the young people in Slovenia. So our GAHA team started delivering interactive informative Award workshops (among schools) and in the second part of this year we will try to focus on the colleges and youth centers as well. Our IO Award office is also trying to establish the Award program in Serbia, so that is why our group also helped with the
Interactive informative Award workshops.
international project of Award leaders course by taking several tasks such as leaders of workshops, promo team ect.. Currently we are working on another issue of our Award magazine and trying to establish our new Award page. We are willing to do our best to help extend our Award family by becoming NAA. We also had a first official meeting for the gold expedition that will be held in Nepal, this October, and already contacted schools who run the Award there. Our GAHA group is also helping our IO office with coorganization of local and gold award ceremonies.
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Our main project this year will be Award summer camp for 30 children from youth centers in Ljubljana. The staff is based on GAHA group and we will also include 2 award holders who will use this project for their Residential Project. We are trying to present the Award to youngsters through interactive workshops and camping outdoors. We have finally succeed to conclude a collaboration agreement between the Ministry of Defence and our Award IO office, but we still have to declare the tender for this project, because we want for our
One part of Slovenian GAHA team meeting British ambassador at his place
participants to be able to attend our camp for free. Meanwhile we are all eager to gain new knowledge, so we are participating in different educational trainings, also in the Award leaders course. Some members of the team are already mentors and instructors
in
different
schools.
After
the
presentation (for Award members) of Guardians of the Earth, we are thinking to support them in a way that one part of volunteering service could be focused on their work. I think this could be interesting for whole EMAS region or Award itself. I agree that youth engagement is a basic element to the success of the Award programme and its future sustainability. Together as a team, we can move mountains and we see some opportunities for changes and that makes us even more willing to make a difference." Irena Dokl National Chairperson of the Slovenian Gold Award Holder's Association.
One part of Slovenian GAHA team with the President of Slovenia
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Email: Tareisoir@gmail.com Facebook: Type in ‘Tareisoir’ in the search engine to find us.
TÉÓ Committee 2011—2012. Want to get involved too? Let us know!
And finally….. Thank You so much to everyone who took part in our activities over winter. We hope you enjoyed them as much as we did! So many members new and not so new took part in our activities and it was a delight to see them there. Please keep involved and stay in touch! This newsletter had the support of a few wonderful individuals who have helped create the TÉÓ we know of today. In particular I would like to thank the following for their contributions to this newsletter; Christine Carty, Benny King and Neil Ledwith. It was really helpful to have your input, ideas and contributions. Until next time, Karen Doyle Editor