WILD WEST THEMED MURAL & CHARITY FUNDRAISER!

The upcoming event (and charity fundraiser) - Wild West Themed fancy-dress fundraising evening - will be held in The Country Club on 20th June, in aid of the youth development work activities of Tar Eis Oir.

The Night 

Recently, I have decorated the front bar in a Wild West Style mural depicting a scene from the famous spaghetti Western, "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly", starring Clint Eastwood. The exact characters from the film are replicated in a tense gun-slinging scene on the interior walls.  

On the evening, to mark the opening of the mural, we are inviting everyone to come dressed up as Cowboys/girls, Indians, out-laws/”in-laws”!!  

The party will be kick started with a BBQ and DJ from 7pm and MC by our very own Gerry “quick-shot” Mchugh, principal of Lehinch national School. Following this there will be a raffle with many great prizes to raise funds for an upcoming project of Tar Eis Oir – an association dedicated to youth work and youth development activities - and will of course be followed by the main event which is the Wild West Fancy Dress Competition.  

There will be a very special guest present on the night to unveil this striking mural for me in the premises on the night. 

The Organiser - Tar Eis Oir 

Proceeds collected on the night will fundraiser in aid of a youth exchange project -

Tar Eis Oir’s Slovenian International Youth Exchange Project. Tar Eis Oir is the alumni society of Gaisce - The President's Award in Ireland, which is the national challenge award for young people in Ireland. Tar Eis Oir, is actively involved in youth work on a national and international level, and conducts its range of activities aiming to promote the development of young people to become active citizens in our communities and future leaders of our country. Tar Éis Óir hopes to inspire young people to dream more, learn more, do more and become more… 

To-date, thousands of young Irish people have realised their personal dreams, and brought about huge positive impact in their local communities and around the world through their involvement in Gaisce – The President’s Award. We believe that if we invest efforts in our young people now they will re-invest in our society in the future. 

The Project - Slovenian International Youth Exchange Project 

Later this summer, in the framework of a partnership between Gaisce – The President’s Award and Slovenian Youth Award - M.E.P.I., a group of 12 Irish people will take part in a pan-European youth exchange project in the Slovenian Alps. From 31 July to 9 August, the group of people from all over Ireland will travel to Slovenia to take part in the first international exchange of its kind between the two countries, and their respective youth award programmes.  

Together with a group of Slovenian young people the group of up to 30 persons will take part in a series of challenging personal and community development events in the Alpine region – including hiking & survival skills training, voluntary environmental protection activities, and human rights/international relations workshops.  

The project, comprising of 6 days hiking and camping outdoors, will challenge and develop the some of the skills necessary for safe expedition planning and execution, and also those skills crucial to survival in the wilderness, under the guidance of trained professionals. It will be no holiday, but rather a challenging voyage of self-discovery. The aim of the project is not only personally and physically challenge the participants within the framework of Gaisce – The President’s Award, but also to promote the personal development of these young people to become active Irish citizens, aware of the difficult issues affecting all of us as European citizens and to help to develop a critical mind to address these areas of concern in order to help improve our own communities at home. The group will also engage in voluntary environmental protection activities with a local Non-Governmental Organisation to preserve the breathtaking landscape in which the project will take place. 

This exchange of young people will serve not only to promote tolerance and understanding between these two small European nations, but will be all done in an inclusive manner, involving young people of all personal circumstances, backgrounds, and physical capacities. 

A follow-up similar exchange of a group of Slovenians to the West of Ireland is due to take place in the course 2010!! We are sure they will be warmly welcomed with a Céad Míle Fáilte! 

Any young person can take part in Gaisce – The President’s Award, and have a chance to challenge themselves to become the best they can be. Each person sets him/herself a series of personal challenges, which if completed to Gold Level will be recognised by the highest civilian merit in the country – an award presented by the President of Ireland. In taking part, young people can learn new skills, meet new people, develop their talents and open a world of opportunity – All of which are so crucial for young people in this era of pessimism!  

More information on the award programme can be found on www.gaisce.ie 

Personal Profile – Karen Forde 

At present I am in the process of completing my own Gaisce Gold Award and I am taking part in this project as part of the Residential Section of the award programme. I have been a member of Tar Eis Oir for the past four years and plan to receive my award at the Jubilee Celebrations in Dublin Castle in 2010. Joining me on this trip are Ivan Dixon, son of  John and Mary Dixon and his girlfriend Laura Heneghan. 

The award is something which stimulates and drives me to better myself, and do more for the community around me. Over the past almost 25 years, it has positively affected the lives of so many young Irish people, and would strongly encourage anyone to take that first step, challenge themselves and support their communities.  

Tar Eis Oir would be very grateful for any contributions from the public on this venture to inspire young people to dream more, learn more, do more and become more… 

I look forward to welcoming all the modern day Clint Eastwoods, Billy the Kids, El Tuco’s and Angel Eyes to The Country Club for a great night of good ole’ fashioned Western fun!!  

Go Discover… and Keep on Discovering!!