THURLES TO HOST 6,000 VISITORS ON 7th May, 2011

Below is a Media Release for National Fun Event where 6000 Girl Guides will descend on Thurles, Co. Tipperary for Centenary Celebrations

Location: Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Date:Saturday 7th May 2011.

Special Guest’s: Over 6,000 members of Irish Girl Guides

Event:Centenary Celebrations & Record Breaking Event

On the 7th of May 2011, the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) will hold the largest celebration fun day in its history, to celebrate 100 years of changing lives here in Ireland. Over 6,000 girls and Leaders will descend on Thurles, Co. Tipperary to join together for a day of great fun activities including a Guinness Book of Records attempt.
All the branches will be joining in the celebrations – the Ladybirds who are aged between 5 – 7 years, the Brownies from 6½ – 11 years; the Guides 10½– 15 years and Senior Branch 14½ - 26 years.
The day will begin with a parade which will be led by 85 teenage girls, who are Guiding Stars, as each will be receiving the prestigious Gold Award, the highest achievement that a Guide can achieve. Then IGG will take on the challenge of breaking the Guinness Book of Records for the longest string of reef knots ever!
After this the girls will break into their different age groups to try activities such as Drumming, Circus skills, Dance, Animal Roadshow, Science workshops, Reptile village, Gospel Singing along with time to enjoy the free flow area which will include Large scale inflatables, Helter Skelter, Carousel, Giant paint by numbers and Street entertainers.
As the day comes to a close there will be a presentation of 30 year service pins to many dedicated leaders by special guest Mary McPhail, CEO of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. This is especially significant as 2011 has been designated the European Year of volunteering.
Emer O’Sullivan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Girl Guides, said, “This is a great opportunity to thank all our volunteer Leaders but an extremely special chance to thank the leaders with 30+ years of service. Today we will remember with pride and gratitude, the work and efforts of those who have gone before and those who strive today to make Guiding the wonderful organisation that it is.”
To end the day on a high the girls and leaders will party to an ABBA tribute band concert as IGG continues to celebrate our centenary for the rest of 2011.
In essence the day is all about celebrating 100 years of an association that has grown from strength to strength, and continues to meet the needs of girls and women in Ireland through a programme of fun and friendship that enables them to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
Well known former members of the Irish Girl Guides include Sonia O’Sullivan, Olympic Medallist; Catherine McGuinness, Former Supreme Court Justice; Roisin Ingle, Journalist and Una Healy of The Saturdays.