Popular Offaly Guidance Counsellor given prestigious honour at special event

A popular Offaly Guidance Counsellor was given a prestigious honour at a special event recently.

Claire Nolan, Guidance Counsellor in Colaiste na Sionna, Banagher College, was awarded the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) medal for outstanding achievement to the Midlands Branch of the IGC, at a dinner in the County Arms.

In the citation, Ursula Finnegan, Treasurer of the Midlands Branch, spoke about Claire as the embodiment of what it means to be a guidance counsellor: a steady presence in uncertain times, a skilled listener and communicator, a voice of encouragement when it’s needed most, and, above all, a tireless advocate for young people guiding them with key decision making at important stages in their lives.

As Chairperson of the Midlands Branch of the IGC, she champions professional development and nurtures collegiality among guidance counsellors. For over a year, Claire led the Midlands team in preparing for the National IGC Conference, held last March 2025 in the Mullingar Park Hotel. At that event, she represented the Midlands Branch with professionalism and grace, delivering a heartfelt and insightful reflection on the evolving role of guidance counselling in today’s rapidly changing world.

Pictured above is Claire Nolan, recipient of the IGC Outstanding Achievement Award 2025 with members of the Midlands Branch of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.