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This is our 2nd Newsletter of 2013. Packed with loads of interesting features and event details. We hope you enjoy!!!
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K a r e n D o y l eCHAIRPERSON’S WELCOME
����������� ������������������ I am once again delighted to welcome you to the Spring edition of our newsletter. I hope you are all ready to leave the dark days of winter behind and join us for some exciting events this Spring and Summer. We have been working really hard in the background since the last newsletter. We have changed our name to the Gaisce Alumni Network. We felt that this better reflects an inclusive o rga n is a t io n w h ic h i n c l u d es participants, Award holders, P.A.L’s and friends of the Award.
We are busy organising a pan-European expedition in Co. Wiclow with young people coming to Ireland from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Latvia and Luxembourg to participate! We wanted to host our own Gathering event in 2013. We are hosting a ten day event which will incorporate hiking, workshops and social events for participants undertaking their Gold Gaisce. It will be in line with the h i g h est I nte r n at io n a l Awa rd standards.
We are very keen to grow the organisation outside of Dublin and to include reg ional events to our calendar of activities. As such we are excited to say that in the coming months we will have events across I re l a nd to cate r fo r Ga isce participants, PAL’s, Award holders and friends of the Award who are eager to get involved with us. Participants are invited to team building activities taking place in Blackwater Adventure Centre in Cork, surfing in Bundoran, abseiling in Dalkey Quarry, and Bowling in Monaghan!
Finally I want to extend my thanks to everyone working hard on behalf of the Gaisce Alumni Network across Ireland and to Gaisce themselves for all their support over the past year and a half.
Karen x
P.A.L TrainingPage 2All the latest information about the next P.A.L training courses being organised by Gaisce
Munster & UlsterPage: 3Events being organised in the Munster & Ulster within the next few months
Participant ActivitiesPage: 4Finding it difficult to choose an activity for part of your award? We’ve asked some of our members to share their activities
Cycle to WestportPage: 5Adventure opportunity involving a cycle from Dublin to Westport and then climbing Crough Patrick- not to be missed!
Surf’s Up!Page:6Hula skirts and flip flops at the ready, the Gaisce Alumni are off surfing in Bundoran in April
Inside this issue
GAISCE ALUMNI NETWORK
P.A.L TRAINING
DUBLINRatra House,Phoenix Park
Wednesday April 10thSaturday April 13thSaturday August 31st
SLIGOThursday April 18th
CORK UCCThursday September 5th
LIMERICKThursday 26th September
MAYOClaremorris
Thursday 19th September
WESTMEATHAthloneThursday September 12th
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 [email protected]) There are limited spaces
available so book early!
Remember that being a P.A.L is vital for the continued success of Gaisce.
Gaisce Head Office have organised P.A.L training for the following locations around the country.
Upcoming ActivitiesUlster
Gaisce Alumni are planning to
organise a bowling night in
Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan for Friday May 24th 2013.
Cost will be €10 approx. per person
depending on numbers.
If you wish to attend (and so that lanes can be booked in advance) please email [email protected]
with Bowling as the subject heading.
MunsterThis year’s silver Gaisce awards ceremony will take place on the 14th November 2013 in the Bru Bru
centre in Co Tipperary. Help will be needed on the night from Gaisce Alumni so mark the date in your diary!
There will also be a TEO fun day/team building event in the Blackwater outdoor centre in Co cork on
4th May 2013. For more details on the venue see http://www.blackwateroutdooractivities.com
Cost is yet to be decided as it will be based on
numbers attending and the activities which include Zip lining, River tubing and Dune Buggies.
If you wish to partake please email [email protected] with Munster as the subject heading.
Abseiling- Dalkey Quarry Dublin Saturday 4th May
Experience the thrill and excitement of reaching the top of your first climb. Once on top the only way is down! - Abseiling is a lot easier than it looks but the adrenaline rush will make
you come back for more.
We are organising a half day abseiling event on Saturday 4th May. This is a great event for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Each group of six will have one experienced instructor to guide them through the day. Please email us to book your place. It will cost 30 euro per
person.
Participant ActivitiesSometimes it’s hard to decide on an activity to do to help complete the various sections of the award. Over the next few editions of the Gaisce Alumni Network magazine, we will meet some participants who will share what they did for their award.
Oliver Clare from Co. Louth is the current secretary of the Gaisce Alumni Network. He explains what he did for his physical section of his Gold Award
In October 2011, my Physical Recrea8on project started off as an hour-‐a-‐week aAerthought at a running club in Drogheda, Co. Louth. However, it didn’t take long for it to snowball into what some might call an obsession; aAer 20 marathons, a lot of fundraising and more physiotherapy sessions than I care to remember, I can safely say that last year was unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.
The charity I was running for was the Inspire Ireland Founda8on (Reachout.com). Combining technology with the direct involvement of young people, they deliver prac8cal and innova8ve online programmes that help prevent youth suicide and help improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The ‘Running for Reachout’ campaign began as a bog-‐standard WordPress blog that I setup over a weekend; by the end of last December, the website had 14,000 hits and €5,000 was raised for ReachOut.
There were far too many highlights to try and list them
all, but one of my favourite memories would have to be compe8ng in the Connemara 100-‐Mile Ultra-‐marathon last August. Rubbing shoulders with some of the toughest runners in the country, and ul8mately crossing the finish-‐line in just over 28 ½ hours, was an unforge\able experience. Ge^ng a personal best at the Dublin marathon (3hrs:54min) was also something that I was quite proud of.
If I could give advice to somebody considering an ac8vity for their gold award, it would be to find something that you enjoy, and that you
feel is worthwhile. That especially applies to your 78 week challenge; look for something you would want to try anyway, even if you had never heard of Gaisce. There will absolutely be 8mes when you’ll want to quit and you’ll wonder just what you were even thinking in the first place! But s8ck with it; speaking as somebody who has the hardest parts of my award behind me, it’s an incredible feeling when you complete your challenges, and well worth the effort. Good luck!
h\p://www.runningforreachout.ie
h\p://www.facebook.com/runningforreachout
Oliver sprinting to the finish-line at the Dingle Marathon
Gold Award Ceremony 2013
This year’s Gold Award Ceremony will take place on Thursday 24th October with President Michael D. Higgins.
Portfolios, logbooks and completions sheets must be with Gaisce head office before May 31st in order to be considered for this year’s ceremony
Hoodies & T-shirtsWe are currently having a sale on all hoodies and t-shirts. There are limited stocks available and are selling like hotcakes. Hoodies now cost €20 and t-shirts €15. What a bargain!
Also be on the lookout for our new hoodies and other merchandise coming your way very soon.
World Scout MootYou may remember from our last issue that Gaisce and Scouting Ireland are partnering to send a team to the World Scout Moot in Canada. There are some spaces still available on this once-in - a- lifetime trip. Full details are available in the last edition of the newsletter or by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.
Don’t Forget!Dublin to Westport Cycle -August 2013
My name is Stephen Fuery and I’m a volunteer with the Order Of Malta. I helped launch the Gaisce Programme in my local unit Marino in 2007. It has been immensely popular and has had numerous candidates comple8ng the award, some even going to Gold!
In 2012, I returned to UCD to complete an undergraduate degree in history & geography. When I learned of an a\empt to get a Gaisce Society up and running in UCD I was delighted to become involved. Since then, I have commenced signing people up and have had a lot of interest.
I am organising a cycle from Dublin to Westport and then a climb up Croagh Patrick in August. Ideally, I hope to cycle from Dublin to Longford and then Longford to Westport. We will then climb the Reek before returning to Westport for some mighty craic. This is an ideal adventure for those doing Bronze or Silver and can easily be upgraded to Gold standard. If you are interested in par8cipa8ng let me know on 085-‐1574644 or by email to [email protected]
Remember you don’t have to be an awardee to have an adventure!
Stephen Fuery
Surf ’s up Dudes and Dudettes !Bundoran Co. Donegal -April 20th & 21st
Cowabunga folks, surf’s up and the waves are looking sweeeeeet!
Gaisce Alumni Network are heading for the seaside for a bit of surfing on Saturday April 20th. The plan is to arrive down early on Saturday and do a bit of surfing followed by hot whiskeys and a laugh over a sociable and return Sunday with a possible hike Sunday morning for those willing and able.
It has been a long time since we organised a gig in the hills of Donegal and we have missed it as it has always been an awesome weekend (Highlights included drinking with the Delorentos, chatting with world champion surfers and myself doing awesome…
wipe-outs.
Did I mention it is a great town to hit the pubs?
The northwest coast has some of the best waves in the world and
Bundoran has some of the best in Ireland.
All gear will be provided in rental @ €20 a day for boards winter grade wetsuit booties and gloves and an extra €10 for a 2 hour lesson. Accommodation is about €20. These prices will drop the more people we get so invite all your friends and your Grandma! Hopefully we will see you all there.
Getting there.
There will be people driving so lifts can be arranged if you can drive please let us know.
It is about 2.5 hours from Dublin.
More directions can be given on request.
Bus: The No. 30 bus from Dublin to Donegal getting off at Ballyshannon. Then a connecting bus to Bundoran is also needed. Train: Sligo is the nearest train station with connecting bus to Bundoran.
Benny King
To book your spot email [email protected] with Surf Trip as the subject
Rás UCD - 6th April 2013 Peadar Ó Lamhna writes about an event that he is involved with as part of his Community Involvement
Tosóidh an ceathrú RÁS UCD- Rás Bóthair dátheangach 5 ciliméadar ag meán lae Dé Sathairn 6 Aibreán 2013, chun cúnamh le Saorálaithe Thar Lear UCD le tacaíocht ó Bhord na Gaeilge UCD. Dúnfar giotaí de ghréasán bóthar an champais chuige sin, agus cuirfear fáilte roimh gach duine de chumas ar bith aclaíochta páirt a ghlacadh sa rás. Tá cead ag gach cumann agus club spóirt foireann a chur san áireamh, agus tá duaiseanna le buachan ag iomaitheoirí aonair, foirne agus lucht bréagéide. Beidh t-léinte cuimhneacháin agus mála toirtíní ag dul don chéad 500 duine le clárú ar-líne.
Cláraigh anois ag http://www.ucd.ie/rasucd
The fourth annual bilingual road race, Rás UCD 5k will take place on Saturday 6th April at 12 noon in aid of UCD Volunteers Overseas and supported by Bord na Gaeilge UCD. Part of the campus road network will be closed, and people of all athletic capabilities are encouraged to compete. There are individual, team, and fancy dress prizes - a perfect opportunity for the Gaisce Alumni to enter a team or teams of 4! There are goodie bags and souvenir t-shirts for the first 500 to register online and it promises to be a fun-filled day!
Register at http://www.ucd.ie/rasucd
Further information is available from Peadar at [email protected]
Defence Forces 4 Day AdventureLimited spaces available for this annual adventure from 4-7 June. Contact Gaisce Head Office immediately if you are interested [email protected]
CPR CourseThe next CPR training course will take place on Saturday March 30th in Foxrock at 11:00. This course is accredited by the Irish Heart Founda8on.
B o o k i n g i s e s s e n 8 a l a t [email protected]
Congratulations!A huge congratulations to Gold Award Holders Janice Conway Mustafova and Josie McGee on being honoured by the International Award Foundation for their contribution to the development of the International Award. Both will be formally honoured at an event in London in April
PALs Needed! The Alumni Network are always on the lookout for new PALs from all parts of the country to help participants commence their Gaisce journeys. We keep our own database for queries so why not add yourself onto this list by contacting Helena at [email protected] with your location and what levels you are willing to take on.
News����������� ������������������ in����������� ������������������ Brief
Gold residential opportunity
Gold Award participants sometimes find it difficult to find a suitably challenging Residential. A good Residential can often provide useful skills which benefit participants in life and can also provide a resource for their local operating body or National Award Authority.
For this reason Gaisce - The President's Award has decided to run an International Gold Residential in September 2013 (23rd to 28th September 2013) for Gold participants from around the world.It will be held in a four star modern Retreat centre close to Dublin airport (Emmaus, Swords County Dublin).Brochures on the event were distributed at the World Forum in Malta last November.A full programme to stimulate the mind and body is awaiting participants.The Residential will explore subjects such as Leadership, teamwork, communications and group dynamics. Themes relating to Being Young in the modern world, a subject close to the heart of Gaisce’s patron, President Michael D. Higgins will be discussed.
The event will be run by Gaisce alumni Award holders, Gaisce staff and guest speakers on specialist subjects.
The location is close to many amenities and participants will have the opportunity of experiencing outdoor activities and Irish cultural sites.
There will be an opening reception, special visits and a closing dinner
Certificates of attendance will be presented.
We hope that you have enjoyed the latest issue of the TÉÓ newsletter and we look forward to seeing you at some of our events in the near future. Remember to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. If you wish to order a hoodie or t-shirt, place your order soon as stocks are limited. Many thanks to all the contributors to this edition of the newsletter and to those who have attended our events in 2013 so far.
Peadar
Contributors:
Peadar Ó Lamhna, Karen Doyle, Karen O Sullivan, John T. Murphy, Oliver Clare, Benny King, Stephen Fuery, Steven Cull
The Small Print It is important that when attending events run by
TÉÓ that you are aware of your own
personal safety and that you take all
possible steps to minimise your risk. It is important that you obey the instructions of the dedicated leaders and organisers. You may be turned
away from an event if the leader/organiser feels you are a danger to
yourself or the success of the event. You must be over 18 to attend Tar Éis Óir events. We cannot an will not entertain individuals below 18 for safety and security reasons. Any
questions on the above please contact us.
Contact Details
That’s all folks!International
Expedition August 2013
The date for our international expedition has been changed changed to 12th – 21st August. Five countries are participating along with our own members and award participants; Latvia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Ireland. All Irish places have been filled but Irish participants may apply to be on the waiting list for any places which may arise in the c o m i n g m o n t h s . I r i s h participants will be contacted to arrange pre-hikes in May.
Gaisce Alumni NetworkGaisce -‐ The President's Award,
Ratra House, North Road,Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.tareisoir.ie
Twi\er: @GaisceAlumni
Facebook : www.facebook.com/gaiscealumni
LinkedIn : Tar Éis Óir Gaisce Alumni
Previous edi8ons of our Newsle\er: h\p://www.issuu.com/tareisoir
