Honours for ‘inspirational’ Kerry Girl Guides at awards ceremony in Croke Park

NINE Kerry teenagers received the Trail Blazer National Guide Award – Irish Girl Guides’ highest award – at a special ceremony in Croke Park last week.

The girls, who are all aged 14 or 15, were among 135 Irish Girl Guides (IGG) members who travelled from all corners of the country to receive the award and, with their Guide leaders and families, celebrate reaching the pinnacle of Guiding.

Méabh O’Sullivan Darcy, Sarah McCarthy and Ellen McSweeney of Mangerton Guides, Killarney, Ella Guerin, Isabel Ryan and Rosie McClintock of Kenmare Guides, Leah Williams-Morgan and Grainne Leahy of St Brendan’s Guides, Tralee, and Grace Myers of Fossa Guides, Killarney, each received a Trail Blazer gold pin from Irish Girl Guides (IGG) President Maureen Murphy and a National Guide Award certificate from IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon.

Congratulating the recipients, IGG President Maureen Murphy said that all the girls showed commitment and inspiration to reach this level.

“It is a privilege to be here today to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of our Trail Blazers who have all shown commitment in completing the challenges and, in doing so, putting your individual footprint on your tasks.”

“You are inspirational, you will inspire younger members and take your learning and experiences gained into your communities and wider society,” she added.

Assistant Chair of IGG Guide Branch,Carol Stanley, said that the awards recognise successfully completed challenges in teamwork activities, outdoor survival skills, community service, global awareness and working with younger members of Irish Girl Guides.

All nine Kerry girls undertook these challenges and proved they could do it. IGG’S Honorary Ambassador Dr Niamh Shaw said she was “especially excited” to attend the awards to celebrate and acknowledge all the recipients’ outstanding achievements.” “I want you to keep contributing your very best to everything you pursue in life because you are our future, Ireland’s future,” she said.

Irish Girl Guides welcomes new members from age 5+ and volunteer leaders from age 18+. To find out more, see www. irishgirlguides.ie

Irish Girl Guides Leah Williams Morgan (age 14) and Grainne Leahy (age 14) from St Brendans Guide Unit, Tralee, at Irish Girl Guides’ National Guide Awards ceremony. The girls were among the 135 members of Irish Girl Guides to receive the Trail Blazer gold pin, which is Guiding’s highest award.

Leah Williams-Morgan and Grainne Leahy of St Brendan’s Guides, Tralee, pictured at the National Guide Awards with their Guide Leader, Aine Bulman, and (left) Irish Girl Guides President Maureen Murphy, and (right) IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon.

Ella Guerin and Isabel Ryan of Kenmare Guides pictured at the National Guide Awards with their Guide Leaders Elizabeth Carson and Heather Coombs and (left) Irish Girl Guides President Maureen Murphy and (right) IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon.

Robbie Reynolds Photography. Méabh O’Sullivan Darcy, Sarah McCarthy and Ellen McSweeney of Mangerton Guides, Killarney at the National Guide Awards in Croke Park with (left) Irish Girl Guides President Maureen Murphy, Mangerton Guides Leader Patricia Palmer and IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon. Photo by

Photos by Robbie Reynolds photography Grace Myers of Fossa Guides with (left) Irish Girl Guides President Maureen Murphy, Fossa Guide Leader Anne O’Connell and IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon.