Irish Girl Guides

Irish Girl Guides and Plan Ireland support girls' rights

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:50:00 GMT

18th November 2011

The international children’s development charity Plan Ireland has teamed up with the Irish Girl Guides, now in their centenary year, to focus attention on girls’ rights. Plan’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ global campaign aims to raise awareness of girls’ rights in the developing world, fight gender inequality and break the cycle of poverty for millions of girls worldwide.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership, taking place today in order to mark Universal Children’s Day on November 20th, board member of Plan Ireland and former Irish Girl Guide Margaret Gilsenan said, “In the developing world, girls face discrimination on a daily basis because of their gender and age. They are removed from school, married early and are more likely to be subjected to violence.

“We know that when a girl is educated, nourished and protected she shares her knowledge and skills with her family and community and can change the future of a nation. The UN Universal Children’s Day is an occasion to promote understanding between children all over the world and we are delighted to announce our partnership with the Irish Girl Guides on this day. We look forward to engaging with girls in Ireland on issues affecting their counterparts in the developing world.”

This nationwide partnership and initiative recognises the power that Irish girls have to impact their communities and change the world around them. The project encourages every Member of the Irish Girl Guides to raise awareness and take real action on the issues that matter to her and those around her.

Commenting on the partnership, President of the Irish Girl Guides, Maureen Dillon said, “The Irish Girl Guides is delighted to partner with Plan Ireland’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign which aims to highlight gender discrimination in developing countries.

“As a girl-only promoter of diversity and inclusion, the Irish Girl Guides welcomes this fantastic opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with girls in a global context and get involved with this worldwide campaign focused on helping girls realise their true potential”.

Irish Girl Guide regional representatives across Ireland are learning about the ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign as a way to speak out and take action on issues of girl empowerment. Plan Ireland and the Irish Girl Guides will work together to raise awareness in Ireland of the plight of girls globally and sign Plan’s petition to make September 22nd the International Day of the Girl. From February 2012, they will actively engage in learning activities based on the Millennium Development Goals and girls in developing countries. This partnership will culminate in Plan Ireland hosting an innovative and interactive workshop at the Irish Girl Guide’s international Camp 101 which takes place in July 2012.

Visit our Plan Ireland Partnership page » »

For more information on Plan Ireland and the Because I am a Girl campaign please visit www.plan.ie or call 1800 829 829.

About the Because I am a Girl campaign:

- Plan Ireland’s Because I am a Girl campaign is a global movement to fight gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and break the cycle of poverty and inequality in the developing world. Recent Plan research has shown that,

· Girls are three times more likely to suffer from malnutrition, as their family feeds their brothers first. As a result, 450 million suffer from stunted growth;

· 62 million girls cannot read or write, as they are not in primary school and have not had sufficient access to education;

· Each year two million girls between the ages of 5 and 15 are trafficked, sold or coerced into the sex trade.

· 70% of all people living on less than $1 per day are female.

- To raise awareness of the campaign, Plan Ireland’s Because I am a Girl blog features Irish female guest writers from the world of business, politics, music and entertainment www.becauseiamagirl.ie.

About the Irish Girl Guides:

- The Irish Girl Guides (IGG) was founded in 1911 and is currently celebrating its centenary

- With over 11,000 members countrywide IGG is a voluntary organisation whose mission is to enable girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.

- IGG provides an environment where girls from all backgrounds can grow in self-confidence and develop a variety of skills in an unpressurised atmosphere.

IGG Senior Branch girls lead Gorta's "Stand Up Against Hunger" Pledge

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:27:00 GMT

Three members of Lucan Senior Branch attended the Gorta World Food Day conference in Dublin on 14th October. The theme of this year's conference was Food Prices: From Crisis to Stability - Building Resilience in Africa's farming communities.

Gorta's partners stood up to take the pledge, being led by Clare Sheridan, Tamsin le Roux and Shauna Murphy from Lucan Rangers. The pledge read:

We are standing now with millions of people around the world on this historic day, to show our commitment to the fight against extreme poverty and hunger. We only have six years left to the 2015 deadline to realise the Millennium Development Goals.

Today, we Stand Up together to say:

To the leaders of the wealthy countries: Be great. Keep your promises on debt cancellation, more and better aid, and trade rules that help fight poverty. Deliver the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

We also stand before the leaders of poorer countries to say: Be great. Make it your first responsibility to save the lives of your poorest citizens. We ask you to tackle inequality in all forms, to be accountable to your people.

To our own leaders: honour our promises to the world’s poorest, by prioritising interventions aimed at food and water security. Cutting Overseas Aid hurts those with the greatest needs – and the weakest voices. On their behalf we ask...no more cuts.

We will continue to Stand Up, not just today but every day, to say: No more Excuses, End Poverty and Hunger Now!

Speakers on the day included Simon Coveney TD, Karen Coleman broadcaster and journalist and Michael Ojiambo from the Kenya Freedom from Hunger Council.

World Food Day is marked each year on 16 October, the day on which the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations was founded in 1945.

The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the problem of hunger in the world.

For more information on the event visit www.worldfoodday.ie

Is your Unit interested in bag packing for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland?

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:19:00 GMT

To coincide with MDI’s National Awareness Campaign for 2012, Dunnes Stores has kindly granted MDI permission to organise a national bag packing day in all of their grocery departments nationwide on Friday 3^rd and Saturday 4^th February 2012. This is a great opportunity for MDI to create a further awareness of muscular dystrophy and to raise much needed funds for their youth services and summer camp programmes for 2012. The youth services and summer camps increase self confidence, self-esteem, learning and continued support for members and families through respite breaks. Children with neuromuscular conditions have the same needs that all children have. They need to be loved, to feel valued and safe, to develop strong self-esteem, and to be able to handle troubling events and emotions as they arise.

They need your help to bag pack in various Dunnes Stores nationwide
on the 3rd & 4th February 2012.
If you are able to assist please call or email Kim in the MDI head office on (01) 6236414 or email kim@mdi.ie.

Click here to download a list of the Dunnes Stores that are involved to find your nearest one. Remember, even if your Unit can't take part, you can still go yourself!

For more information on the charity, visit their website.

MDI is a voluntary organisation which provides counselling, family support, information, respite, holidays and youth activities and medical research to people living with muscular dystrophy in Ireland. This is a fantastic opportunity for MDI to spread further awareness of muscular dystrophy and with your support; it would greatly help them to exceed their fundraising targets for their 2012 National Awareness Campaign. With the current financial cut backs which we are all experiencing at present, MDI now depend on support from volunteers more than ever and they would therefore really appreciate any help which you can give them.

Go Rockets for Reading

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:56:00 GMT

IGG are proud to support the MS Readathon run by MS Ireland.

October 14th - November 14th

←Click on the image to enlarge

The MS READaTHON is a campaign where children get sponsored by family and friends to read books of their choice for one month with the money raised coming to MS Ireland. It is designed to help encourage children to discover the joys of reading while helping raise much needed funds for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Why not get your Unit involved?

Work on your Programme at the same time:
Brownie ‘Book Lover’ and Guide ‘Reader’ badges

Simply visit the website www.msreadathon.ie and fill out the online form. The more you raise, the more you have a chance of winning the fantastic prizes

Irish Girl Guides are 'Leading Lights'

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:13:00 GMT

The RSA Leading Lights in Road Safety Awards took place yesterday 12th October, and the Irish Girl Guides were proud to attend and collect an award for the Community Education category. Gay Byrne, Chairman of the RSA was there to give out the awards and complimented all the winning individuals and organisations, “It gives me great honour to be here today to recognise the extraordinary efforts you have all made, and continue to make, to keep our roads free of tragedy. For that, I thank you and urge you to keep up the great work you are doing.”

Our Road Safety programme was launched in February 2009 and it features activities and games for each age branch within IGG. The Brownies and Guides now have integrated Road Safety Interest Badges while the Ladybirds and Senior Branch have got a pack which can be downloaded from our website. More information can be found here.

IGG has sold over 5,000 Road Safety badges to our members from the youngest Ladybird to the most experienced Leader and we hope that this number will continue to grow. The youngest ones learn about road safety through songs and simple games, while the older ones learn about pedestrian and bike safety. They also learn about the dangers of driving whilst speaking on a mobile phone and how important it is to belt up. Role play games help to make sure the information gets through to the girls, but making it a fun learning experience at the same time.

In attendance at the awards ceremony were Alice McGrane and Heather English from Cealla Guides, Kells along with IGG President Maureen Dillon and CEO, Linda Peters.
The awards took place during ‘Irish Road Safety Week’ which runs until Sunday 17th October.

This is not the first award ceremony that the Road Safety pack has been involved in - it was nominated in the Connecting Communities awards scheme run by the Ombudsman for Children in June 2009. We won an award for the Safer Communities category.

Why not be extra vigilant this winter by stocking up on some reflective armbands which are available in the Distribution Centre, and have our Centenary logo on them.

Tralee District in "Rose of Tralee" Parade

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:11:00 GMT

Tralee District participated in the Rose of Tralee Parade on Saturday evening the 20th of August.

The Chiefs hit Boyle in Co. Roscommon

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:38:00 GMT

The Irish Girl Guides Chief Commissioners event took place last week when all participants travelled to the West to begin their adventures. Read below to see what went on...also have a look on the Senior Branch Facebook page for lots more photos

Day 1

So while the rest of the Chiefs participants got some last minute packing in, Jemma and Fiona met up the night before in Athlone to get the last minute shopping and attempted to pack everything into Fiona’s car!

Apart from most people guessing it would be somewhere in the west, the participants still are unaware as to where they will be but we can now announce that our teams will be hiking the Miner’s Way and Historical Trail between Lough Arrow and Lough Allen.

We’ve even been told that we got a shout out at Sunday morning’s mass by Fr Ian in Ballinafad!!!

Official day 1 saw all 10 teams arrive in Boyle. Unfortunately we lost 2 teams the week before the event but we hope to see them at the next Chiefs! So travelling from the the east, the south and well, around the corner from the station we were set to travel to our accommodation for the night!

All cars loaded we headed off to ArrowRock Hostel on Lough Arrow, where all girls were fed and briefed about what was to happen during the week. A few last minute adjustments to bags and questions asked, they all headed off for an early night while we planned who would get the fun of dropping them where!

Excitement is high in the hostel tonight and soon they will realise the full extent of the chiefs!

We hope to be able to update you daily!

For now good night!!!

Day 2

Last night the under 20’s really surprised us! We put them all together thinking they would stay up messing and this would allow the over 20’s to sleep! To our shock all were asleep by 11.30! We had one latecomer who arrived at 12!

A staff meeting and a fit of giggles later the “staff” managed bed for about 2! An 8am start for all saw a few tired faces, this was clearly not the case in one of our adult teams, as Gwen and Carolyn started us all off with “I’m alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic.”

We were lucky enough to have Ellen Keady and Marie Boner as our cooks! Porridge, sausages and rashers were on the menu as well as the usual cereal! Each team were given a trail mix to bring with them before heading off to finish packing and finalising plans.

6 cars left the hostel at 10.30 to drop off the girls. This morning brought all plans to reality. For the teams all their practice was now to show, for the organisers it became real that this day is here!

After all teams were dropped around the locality most of the team headed off to Drumshanbo for some coffee and lunch and the allocation of camping sites! We shall meet back up with the teams around 5.30 to see how today went and to offer some support :)

Day 3

Day 3, or day 2 of the hike, has come around! After pitching tents last night we are delighted to announce that all teams arrived safe,sound and cheerful! Followed not too long after by the staff members for the night. The rest of Monday ended up being dry yet windy and by the time tents were up some even saw sun!

Dinners were cooked and the first days hike was added up. Looks like everybody has roughly 12km covered. Meals were all cooked and for those lucky enough, log books writing up in the comfort of couches and heat!

The girls who camped in Drumshanbo were lucky enough to meet the famous Sean who is a walking Google! 30 mins into talking with him and they had nearly all their projects complete!

So far the girls have been lucky in terms of their service. The staff on camps yesterday got informed that one team cleaned the windows (in a 5 star hotel), one team helped a woman deliver meals on wheels and one team met an elderly woman and helped her clean her house. That team were also lucky enough to get themselves some tea on a boat!

Enthusiasm is still high and the younger teams are doing great! Not long till pick ups on Friday and showers!

The Staff are enjoying themselves visiting local towns and tourist spots as well as deciding to possibly visit Lough Key on Thursday to try out one or two attractions!!! Staff will meet back at hostel later to have some dinner before hitting the camp sites for the night.

Thats all from today but more of an update tomorrow afternoon on tonight and tomorrow

Day 4

All campers arrived after their next day of hiking at campsites and fields! Hikes hit anything up to 23km yesterday bringing most teams up on 35+ km coming up on day 3.

The weather held up the last 2 days but this morning saw a great change. High winds and lashing rain - all are surprised that the tents stayed down.

Luckily the locality are treating the girls really well and some teams have been lucky enough to get tea and snacks off locals, one team were even lucky enough to get chatting to some scout leaders who had done their explorer belt and arrived back to the girls with a cooked chicken!!

Other teams were lucky enough to camp at base camp last night!! This was to their advantage as we cooked too much for dinner and they got spoilt with salad and apple tart and cream :) We even gave them some of our juice! There are 2 campsites with access to showers and toilets so the girls are being well spoilt to date!

Half way there now and bodies are getting sore, muscles are straining and bag straps rubbing but all teams have hit day 3 with optimism. Staff meeting this morning back in base camp to organise tonights camp sites, and to recap on how the girls were after yesterday’s hikes and now are off to visit the locality with sweets and treats in their car on the off chance we meet the teams out and about!!!

Day 5

Day 5, hike day 4 has come along. Today is the last full day of hiking. Yesterday the weather was challenging. All teams are in great spirits, however one team are finding the lack of technology an issue and were found sitting on site watching a ditch

There have been some minor challenges yet all teams are still flying it! Log books are all being updated and songs finalised.

Shortest hikes the next 2 days and all girls are looking forward to pick up tomorrow!

Day 6, hike day 5

The weather has been kind enough so far, Wednesday was horrible but yesterday the girls found themselves stopping for suncream breaks. Teams started to arrive on camp sites form 1.30 on and the staff took a spin down to Carrick-on-Shannon to do the shopping for the weekend. Today will be our last day in the Arrow Rock Hostel and I am sure poor Craig is really going to miss us!

Last night wasnt too bad weather wise, there was mist down on higher grounds but the winds were light. This morning up in Arigna we awoke to the mist being down so you couldn’t see past the Tri-colours blowing in the early morning breeze.

Staff are now packing up cars to move all the food and the girls day sacks to Drumshanbo where we will be staying for the weekend in the Allen Centre. Most teams have hikes of around 6km today and will be picked up at there designated points at 2pm.

Enthusiasm and energy is really high today knowing that in just a few hours there will be showers and beds.

Assessment panel have met and a timeline has been put in place. Realistically with so many teams it is possible to have to continue it in the morning. On Saturday the Chief Commissioner will arrive along with some other VIP’s as well as the past participants.

This may be the last update before we all head home depending on what internet access is like in Drumshanbo.

Final Day

Chiefs 2011 wrapped up on Friday evening with all 10 teams who started finishing. All girls arrived back happy, sore and hungry and after a lovely hot lunch, shower and then dinner the assessments began. With such large team numbers these ran into Saturday. We were lucky enough to be joined by Emer O'Sullivan on Saturday morning as all teams, staff and Emer headed to the Arigna mines for a tour. The afternoon was spent by many enjoying the jacuzzi in the Ramada Hotel as we had organised passes to the leisure centre. After relaxing it was back to the hostel to get ready for the Awards which were to be held by the lake. At this stage the rest of our VIP's and even some parents had arrived up!

We were joined at the awards by past participants of the chiefs who shared memories at our ceremony. The teams were then called up one by one to get either the cert, woggle or pin. This year we had 5 teams receive the pin, 8 the woggle and all 10 teams received the cert.

After all the photos had been taken we were then moved to the Ramada hotel to watch a slide show on how the chiefs had progressed in time. This was followed by the presentation of a few gifts and wrapped up with an amazing 3 course dinner.

All members made it back to the hostel where a campfire began and ran till the early hours. Sunday was wrapped up with a lovely Guides own where all teams reflected on the week for them and we got to see some photos.

Chiefs 2011 is now over and it leaves us to wonder who will lead 2013 and where it will be. Everybody left with a smile and many memories.

From the Chiefs team of 2011, we would like to thank you all for your support and help throughout the last few months, and the messages of support sent to the girls through out the award

Regional Centenary Camps July 2011

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:33:00 GMT

Emer and Maureen would like to thank everyone involved in the Regional Centenary Camps for allowing us to visit with you all and for making us so welcome.

Between Friday evening and Sunday night we travelled over 1300 km. and are delighted to have been able to meet with over 1100 Leaders and Guides, and 350 Ladybirds and Brownies.
The weather was exceptional with hot sunshine beaming down all over the country. This was reflected in the very warm welcome we received from the Leaders and Guides of all six Regions in Athlone; Cork; Cappoquin, Co. Waterford; Larchill, Co. Dublin; Loughcrew, Co. Meath and Letterkenny, Co.Donegal. Travelling around the six Centenary camps was an amazing once in a lifetime experience for us both. Every camp had its own particular Regional difference, yet all had the same Guiding ethos, and the same emphasis on fun, enjoyment and welcome. Smiling faces and laughter were evident everywhere we went.

We would particularly like to thank all the Regional Centenary Camp Teams for organising the camps, and the Leaders who gave up their time to bring the girls. We both appreciate the amount of time and hard work which went in to the smooth running of all six camps.

It was a real joy to see so many enjoying the outdoors and looking forward to CAMP 101 next year in Lough Key Forest Park.

Thank you again,
Emer O’Sullivan, Chief Commissioner
Maureen Dillon, President

Catch up on all the activities that went on around the country by viewing the IGG Photo Gallery

Get a discount card for Trespass outdoor shops

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Thu, 26 May 2011 09:32:00 GMT

Trespass Outdoor Shops - IGG Units and individuals can avail of a 15% discount card if they contact National Office. We still have lots to give away and it will be on a first come, first served basis. Trespass have a great range of outdoor clothing, footwear, camp equipment and lots more - they have shops in Dun Laoghaire, Stephen's Green and Athlone. Email international@irishgirlguides.ie with how many you would like - we will share around as much as possible

Remember if you don't get a card, you can get your normal 10% discount when you produce your memberhip card/badge which you would have gotten earlier in the year. There are lots more shops around the country with this 10% offer - the list was published in April Trefoil News and you can see it again here - List of Shops

Senator Nomination - Jillian van Turnhout

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:39:00 GMT

Personal Statement from Jillian van Turnhout on appointment as Senator
20 May 2011

It is a great personal honour for me to accept the Taoiseach’s nomination to Seanad Éireann. Receiving this honour, in relation to my work for the Children’s Rights Alliance, is a satisfying professional achievement. I believe that my nomination can, and will, make a positive difference.

As Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, and a member of Social Partnership, I have built up a strong network of contacts that include a wide range of organisations in the community and voluntary sector in Ireland.

With the soon-to-be established Department of Children and Youth Affairs, I believe that I can play a strong and constructive role to create positive outcomes for children and young people. A key priority for me will be the successful passage of a referendum to strengthen children’s rights in the Irish Constitution. I will be a strong and vocal champion for children’s rights in the Oireachtas.

The Alliance has also afforded me a special insight into some crucial issues of social justice, such as my role as Chair of the Children’s Mental Health Coalition, and I intend to continue to fight on this important issue within Seanad Éireann.

Throughout my life, I have always been active in youth affairs, culminating in my election to the post of Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides. Indeed, my connection to the Irish Girl Guides is on-going, as I volunteer each week as an active leader in my home area of Dundrum, Dublin.

Another life’s passion is Europe. I have been a State appointee to the European Economic and Social Committee for the past 12 years, which has provided me with a wealth of experience and the opportunity to build solid relationships within Europe and beyond, including China. I am also Vice President of European Movement Ireland and have been active in several European referendum campaigns. As a result of these two roles, I am in a privileged position to see how Ireland views Europe, but also how Europe views Ireland. With Ireland’s relationship with Europe now at a critical point, I hope this perspective and my experience will be of benefit.

From the late 80s, I worked for over 15 years in the family business (SME), based in the Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin, which employed 55 people. During this time, I rose through the ranks and contributed to the company’s growth. I was a Director of the company during the late 90s downturn and had the unenviable task of managing several redundancies. I have never forgotten this experience and it helps me appreciate the pressures facing SMEs today. Thankfully, I was instrumental in securing the future employment of the majority of employees through the sale of the company to a UK firm, looking to enter the Irish market. It is a matter of great pride to me that under the new management I was asked to remain as a Director – and did so for a further two years.

My hope is that my nomination will greatly contribute to the achievement of the Taoiseach’s aim of making “Ireland the best for business, for raising a family and to grow old with dignity”.

Thank you

Jillian

Bailiú Lost and Found

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:08:00 GMT

BAILIU - We hope you had a wonderful day out - remember to send your photos to trefoil.news@irishgirlguides.ie or centenary@irishgirlguides.ie

Items you lost and we found at Bailiú

Please note we can only hold on to these items for 1 month. Any items not claimed after this will be donated to a charity shop. Any money in the purses will be given to the centenary charity fund.

Ladybird Leader badge tab, woggle and Centenary woggle. (badges on tab are: Ladybird pin; miniature IGG and WAGGGS pins; CIGA pin: old IGG promise pin; WAGGGS world pin: service award with blue background; IGG pin shaped like a neckerchief in green and gold)

Pink back pack named Aoife Keenan (includes a lunch box, Guide note book and pink purse with coins)

Purses (note: some of the purses contain small sums of money)
Pink purse / wallet (child’s) with a picture of girl dancing on front and tag line “Got to Rock”
Denim purse / wallet (bought in Pennys
Pink purse / wallet with material front including heart. Inside there are small cards advertising a bus travel company (probably to Poland)
Pink plastic purse / wallet
Small coin purse with beads on both sides in shape of Butterfly
Small coin purse, black with name Grainne embroidered on it
Small brown coin purse from Medugorje
Pink purse / child’s handbag with ‘shocking pink’ handles

Jackets / Fleeces
Adult pink shower proof jacket (brand name Backswing) size 14
Navy lightweight shower proof jacket (like mac in a sack),size 16, Brand name Active
Stone-washed denim jacket (brand River Island) size 8
Light-weight child’s rain jacket – pink heart decoration (brand Mothercare) age 7 – 8 years
Adult fleece (very dark blue, short zip) brand Gelert, size large
Navy lightweight mac, belongs to Sarah Condon; tel: 591875 (size 10, brand Denim Co)

Sunglasses
Pair of brown sunglasses - Fossil brand
Pair of brown sunglasses
Child’s sunglasses, spotty light blue & white front and pink stripped sides in a pale pink holder, (brand E-pass)

Neckerchiefs
Guide necker with new type woggle ( navy flat woggle)
2 Ladybird or Brownie neckers, 1 with woggle, 1 without
1 orange Unit helper necker
1 centenary woggle belonging to Shaunagh O’Driscoll, tel: 021-7331910
1 centenary woggle, no name
Red plastic bag from Esprit but contains sitapon + 2 Brownie neckerchiefs – 1 for Abigail Murphy + 1 for Jane Serery?

Caps / hats
Peaked caps – 1 navy / 1 pink
Brown knitted hat

Other items
Katelyn’s (Neary) Gynmastics Book (yellow front and was bought in Easons)
Child’s pair of ear muffs with snowflake design on ear muff (knitted)
Green plastic pill box (brand name Herbalife) with tablets enclosed

Brownies Bounce to the Moon!

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:41:00 GMT

Well not literally, but it is just as exciting, as two paintings from Stillorgan Gold Pack Brownies were chosen to be beamed to the Moon on 10th April (GROW Day) at 19.00 hrs complete with Centenary Logo.

Liadh aged 10 and Lucy aged 7 both had their paintings featured in this special event.

You can view the recording on http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/13911581. Forward the video to 58 minutes and 60 minutes to see these two paintings being beamed back. This is part of AWB Astronomy without Borders (One People, One Sky), Lunar Week and GAM: Global Astronomy Month, April 2011.

The science bit of this is the colours in the paintings are converted into radio waves beamed to the Moon 800,000 kms away and back to Earth. They will be received on Earth by the Dwingeloo radio telescope in the Netherlands. These colours also make music so turn up the sound.

This is a first for Daniela Paulis, artist and Deirdre Kelleghan and a first using this type of technology in the world. In all 6 paintings will be bounced off the Moon. We are very privileged to be a part of this FIRST. (OPTICKS borrows its name from the essay by Isaac Newton on light refraction.)

More photos can be found on the NASA Facebook page and if you want to read more into the concept, visit www.opticks.info and www.deirdrekelleghan.net

Stay Safe Online

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:40:00 GMT

IGG Safety Guidelines

With the launch of our new Facebook and Twitter pages, we would like to remind Leaders, parents and girls to make sure they are safe while using the internet and social media. Facebook has special privacy settings which should be used to protect your own safety, and your Guides/Senior Branch members should adhere to these also. IGG have developed Social Media Best Practice Guidelines so please click here to view them and you can print and share them with your Unit. IGG also has Safety Guidelines for the Internet and these can be accessed here.

Better Together Competition - Thanks for voting for the Irish Girl Guides - Celebrating 100 years!

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:20:00 GMT

Thank you all for your votes on the Better Together Campaign. Our video which was compiled by Katherine Ryan, was unlucky to receive an award but we were shortlisted which is a great achievement.

IGG submitted a video on the theme of “Celebrating 100 Years!” - you can view our video here.

The Better Together Campaign was run by The Wheel in conjunction with EBS, aiming to show you how you can make a difference by getting involved in community and voluntary activity. Charities had the opportunity to showcase their work by uploading videos to www.bettertogether.ie, and standing a chance of winning a cash prize and lots of publicity.

We hope that you will continue to share this video with family and friends, especially as we enter our Centenary year in 2011.

The Big Knit - thank you

webmaster@irishgirlguides.ie — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:16:00 GMT

Thank you to all the Units and individuals who knitted to support our elderly community this Winter.

The Big Knit Campaign that Innocent Drinks were running was generously supported by our members. Innocent managed to gather over 76,000 tiny knitted hats from the general public and IGG to put on their smoothie bottles. Their aim was to collect 80,000 so congratulations to all our members for contributing to this.

Every bottle that was sold donated 25 cent to Age Action Ireland. Thats well over €19,000 raised! Well done to all.