Irish Girl Guides to open new national training centre in Tallaght
By Mary Dennehy
THE Irish Girl Guides have set their sights on Tallaght, with plans in place to transform an industrial unit in Tallaght into its new National Training Centre.
Last year the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) – which has 11,000 members nationwide – purchased a Tallaght premises, which, pending planning permission, is expected to be up and running by this September.
The Industrial unit in Tallaght
IGG has lodged a planning application for the renovation of and modification to its new unit at The Square Industrial Complex, which is located in Belgard Square East beside the An Post sorting office and Dublin Climbing Centre.
South Dublin County Council is due to make its decision by March 26.
According to IGG, the unit is currently a black canvas warehouse that it plans to convert into offices and training rooms, including a Destination Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lounge.
This STEM training area will be a space for girls and young women to develop their STEM skills and discover how a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics can lead to “positive global impact”.
Helen Concannon is the Chair of the National Training Centre Committee, who up until recently was based at Killinarden Community School, where she was a teacher for 19 years.
“Our members are all over the country and we were looking for somewhere accessible”, Helen told The Echo.
“Tallaght has the Luas, is located near motorways – it’s a great location for us.”
According to Helen, Tallaght’s young population and diverse range of youth clubs and groups was also key to the move, alongside the area’s hub of community facilities, such as Rua Red and the Civic Theatre.
“This is a long-term investment for [IGG] – it’s a huge move for us as an organisation,” Helen said.
Irish Girl Guides: Rebecca Kelly (left) Laoibhse Curtis, Rhiannon Talbot and Sarah McCarthy, at the launch of the Mishon Moon app at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies Dunsink Observatory
“A national training centre is a first for us . . . and the new building will be as youth-friendly as possible.
“Tallaght reflects the youthful aspect of the organisation . . . and has a great hub [of facilities]. It’s a great place for us to be.”
Helen stressed that IGG will be opening the centre, which will be fully accessible, to other youth groups within the area.
She also believes that the centre will be a “positive asset” to the surrounding area, with many of IGG events, of which there is around 100 annually, set to be held at its new national HQ.
In order to kit out this new state-of-the-art training centre, girl guides are now aiming for the moon, as they set out to raise €363,104 by covering 363,104km – the distance of the earth to the moon.
Girl guides and their volunteer leaders will walk, run, cycle, swim, surf and kayak 363,104km over the next six months, with their project being mapped on a new outdoor adventure app – which was launched at the Dunsink Observatory last weekend.
The Mishon app has been created by tech entrepreneur Brendan Morrissey, who developed a specific Mishon Moon section to the app where IGG members and supporters can upload their kilometres and undertake adventure challenges.
The Mishon Moon app was trialled in recent weeks by girl guides in Lucan.
IGG is now seeking sponsorship for €1 per km to raise €363,104 – with businesses and members of the public encourage to get behind the campaign.
Local businesses in Tallaght are also invited to support the fundraising campaign.
For further details visit Irish Girl Guides, where there is also a Donate button.
