President's Award - Gaisce
Information
The President's Award is the National Challenge Award given by the President to young people in Ireland between the ages of 15 and 25 years. Recipients of the award get a medal in a presentation box, a certificate signed by the President and a lapel pin.
The purpose of the award is to reward young people who have set and achieved a demanding challenge for themselves in each of four different areas of activity:
- Community involvement, e.g., helping the elderly or learning first aid or lifesaving
- Personal skill, e.g., learning a musical instrument, computer skills or driving
- Physical recreation, e.g., swimming, football or tennis
- Adventure activity, e.g., a cycling, canoeing or hiking trip.
Once you have achieved your personal challenges under the guidance of a President's Award Leader, you will earn your award.
Rules
Levels of award
There are three levels of award that reflect different levels of time and commitment:
- Bronze - the minimum age at which you can take part is 15 years and your activity must completed within 6 to 9 months.
- Silver - the minimum age at which you can take part is 16 years and your activity must be completed within 12 to 15 months
- Gold - the minimum age at which you can compete is 17 years and your activity must be completed within 18 to 24 months.
It is not necessary to undertake the Bronze Award before attempting Silver, or undertake the Silver award before the Gold.
What is expected of you in each section
The activities that you must carry out in each section depends on the level of award.
Community activity
You must select one activity and the minimum requirement is:
- Bronze - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 15 weeks
- Silver - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 30 weeks
- Gold - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 60 weeks.
Personal skill
- Bronze - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 26 weeks
- Silver - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 39 weeks
- Gold - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 52 weeks.
Physical recreation
- Bronze - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 12 weeks
- Silver - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 15 weeks
- Gold - you must carry out the activity for one hour per week for 18 weeks.
Venture section
You must choose one activity, e.g, a foot or cycling expedition. The minimum requirement is:
| Award | Foot expedition | Cycling expedition | Canoeing expedition |
| Bronze | 2 days - over 24 km | 2 days - over 113 km | 2 days - 20 to 30 km |
| Silver | 3 days - over 48 km | 3 days - over 193 km | 3 days - 40 to 50 km |
| Gold | 4 days - over 80 km | 4 days - over 274 km | 4 days - 60 to 80 km |
Rates
It costs €5 to enter for a Bronze or Silver award and 10 euro to enter for a Gold award.
How to apply
Each participant needs to agree the challenge in writing with a President's Award Leader. The challenge is agreed once the participants have explored all the activity options in each section of the Award. More information is available on the The President's Award website.
President's Award Leaders include teachers in schools, employers, youth leaders, Gardai and designated individuals in third-level colleges.
You should contact The President's Award office if you are having difficulty locating a President's Award Leader locally.
Download application forms and President's Award Leader Forms. Alternatively, you can request the forms by e-mail from the address below.
Where to apply
Language
Related Documents
- Budget 2009
Budget 2009 was announced on 14 October 2008. Summary of the main changes. - Youth clubs in Ireland
Youth clubs are local groups for young people whose programmes include recreational and educational activities. - Motorcycle driving tests in Ireland
All motorcyclists in Ireland who have been issued with two 2-year provisional driving licences must undergo a driving test.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.