Kiltale native leading the way for Ireland’s young people through Gaisce

When Avril Ryan walks into the Gaisce - The President’s Award offices in Dublin each morning, she carries with her a deep connection to Meath. The Kiltale native has spent her life championing young people and the Arts, first as a musician and theatre producer, and now as CEO of one of Ireland’s most respected youth development organisations.

“I actually started out in Trim as musical director of the Dúchas Trim Folk Theatre over 30 years ago,” Avril recalls. “My late father, Liam Ryan was very involved in Comhaltas and was secretary of the Meath branch. My mother, Eileen, has played the organ in Kiltale Church for most of her life. Growing up in that environment, surrounded by music and community, really shaped me and inspired me to get involved in the Arts and in community life.”

Avril’s early years were steeped in creativity and local collaboration. She learned first-hand how self-belief and community support can transform a young person’s confidence. “That’s something I’ve carried into everything I’ve done since,” she says. “I’ve always believed in the power of creativity and community to help young people grow and that’s what Gaisce is really about.”

Founded in 1985, Gaisce – The President’s Award encourages young people aged 14 to 25 to set personal goals, develop new skills, and contribute to their communities. It’s a challenge set directly by the President of Ireland, and for nearly forty years, it has been helping young people discover who they are and what they can achieve.

“It’s really important that our work never stops celebrating young people,” Avril says. “We want to uplift them and help them reach their full potential. The award gives them opportunities to gain new experiences, develop skills, and build resilience all while discovering who they are.”

Participants work towards three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold completing challenges in personal skill, community involvement and physical recreation, as well as an “adventure journey” that tests teamwork, problem-solving and endurance.

“For Bronze, it takes about six months; for Gold, at least a year,” Avril explains. “But the award isn’t competitive , it’s about each young person setting their own challenge and pushing themselves in their own way.”

Across Meath, schools, youth clubs, and community groups take part in Gaisce, supported by trained mentors known as President’s Award Leaders (PALs). “Wherever there are young people, you’ll find a Gaisce leader,” Avril says. “In Meath alone, there are over a hundred PALs guiding and encouraging participants. They’re the heartbeat of the programme.”

Local initiatives in the county have demonstrated the award’s reach and impact. In Trim, for example, young volunteers at the local Tidy Towns committee spent months improving public spaces and creating new community gardens. In Navan, a group of Silver Award participants organised a reading programme in local primary schools, helping younger children develop literacy skills while building their own confidence as mentors.

“That’s exactly the spirit of Gaisce,” Avril says. “It’s about giving back while growing as a person. Each project, whether it’s a garden, a mural, or a reading programme, shows young people that they can make a real difference in their own community.”

The organisation’s newly launched 2024 Impact Report shows record levels of participation last year. Over 15,600 young people across the island of Ireland achieved a Gaisce Award in 2024 the highest number in its history including 73 Gold Awardees who received their medals from President Michael D. Higgins.

Young people involved in the programme also completed more than 347,000 hours of community volunteering, supported by 792 delivery partners in schools, youth services, disability organisations and probation programmes.

“We’re extremely proud that 2024 saw record participation,” Avril says. “It shows how valued the award is. Every young person who takes part makes a positive impact in their community while also building confidence and resilience.”

For Avril, the statistics only tell part of the story. The real impact, she says, is in the personal transformations that happen quietly every day. “Not everyone is top of the class or learns in the same way. Gaisce gives recognition to young people for things that might otherwise go unnoticed – a hidden talent, a new skill, or simply the confidence to step outside your comfort zone.”

She recalls stories of participants with disabilities who have gained independence through their Gaisce challenges, or young people who overcame shyness by volunteering locally. “One mother told me all of her children’s Gaisce certificates including her son with autism are proudly displayed on the piano at home. That’s what it’s all about: every young person achieving in their own way.”

Gaisce’s commitment to inclusion is central to its success. The 2024 Impact Report shows that a record 62% of DEIS schools now offer the programme, and over 2,000 young people were supported through the SUAS Bursary Fund, which helps remove financial barriers to participation. Meanwhile, more than 240 young people from disability services completed a Gaisce Award last year.

Avril believes those achievements are made possible by the hundreds of President’s Award Leaders who volunteer their time to mentor young people through the process. “They’re the unsung heroes of Gaisce,” she says. “They give so much of themselves to guide and encourage participants, ensuring that every young person has the best chance to thrive.”

Beyond community and personal growth, Gaisce also helps prepare young people for the world of work. A recent study by Maynooth University found that the award enhances employability by helping participants articulate their skills and experiences to employers. “It gives young people a language to talk about what they’ve learned,” Avril says. “Employers want to see initiative, teamwork and resilience and those come through clearly in a Gaisce journey.”

It’s also part of a global network of youth development awards, meaning a young person’s effort in Trim or Navan is recognised internationally. “Wherever you go, from Ireland to Australia or Canada, there’s a connection through the award,” Avril says.

After a career that’s spanned theatre, arts management and youth development, Avril says her heart remains close to home. “I grew up surrounded by community spirit in Meath,” she says. “It’s still such a strong part of who I am. The support, the volunteering, the creativity it’s everything Gaisce stands for.”

Her message to young people in the county is simple: “If you’re in school, a youth club, or any community organisation ask if they deliver Gaisce. And if they don’t, ask them to start! It’s your opportunity to challenge yourself, learn something new, and make a difference. Whether it’s improving your Irish, learning music, or volunteering in your community do it with your friends and have fun.

“And if you go all the way to Gold,” she adds, “you’ll get your award from the President of Ireland. That’s a moment you’ll never forget.”