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03 Nov 2025
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03 Nov 2025
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Pictured at the National Guide Award Ceremony in University College Dublin are Ailish Farrell, Caoimhe Farrell and Sarah Gill from Ardagh Girl Guides, Alina Chernenko and Valentina Shevchenko from Vik
Six girl guides from county Longford were among the 150 members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG) who travelled to University College Dublin on Saturday October 11 to receive the highest award a Guide can achieve—the Trail Blazer Award—at the National Guide Award ceremony.
Ailish Farrell, Caoimhe Farrell and Sarah Gill from Ardagh Girl Guides, Alina Chernenko and Valentina Shevchenko from Viking Guides, Longford town and Laoise Smith from North Longford Guides received the honour on appropriately enough the International Day of the Girl.
Girls aged 14-15 years of age came from all over the country, bringing their families and Guide Leaders to witness this milestone in their Guiding journey.
Each girl was awarded a Trail Blazer gold pin by IGG President Deirdre Henley and a National Guide Award certificate by IGG Chief Commissioner Amanda O'Sullivan.
These awards represent the spirit of the outdoors, learning life skills, and gaining confidence.
Guides, who are girls aged 10 to 14 years of age, are the third branch within the Irish Girl Guides.
They follow a four-year Journey Programme designed to develop their independence, self-confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.
This is achieved through a variety of activities, including meetings, outdoor camping, indoor weekends, outdoor adventures, and international travel.
Congratulations also to Lauren Quinless, North Longford Senior Branch who received her Silver Gaisce Award at the same ceremony.
The Senior Branch programme gives members the opportunity to work through the three levels of the Gaisce Award system; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
These link with the overall Senior Branch Awards of Bronze Star, Silver Moon and Golden Sun respectively.
If you would like to become a member of Irish Girl Guides, Ladybirds ages 5-7; Brownies ages 7-10; Guides ages 10-14; Senior Branch 10-30 years or volunteer to be a Leader, please email wcmrdo@irishgirlguides.ie, you don't have to have been a member from the start - join the fun at any age.
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