There was great excitement at the weekend when Drogheda Senior Branch were announced as the winners of the 2024 National Senior Branch Challenge which involves groups from across the country earning points by completing various activities throughout the year.

The Drogheda group chose a broad range of challenges to complete, spending time camping, hiking, changing tires, hosting debates, running events, volunteering, and everything in between!

Senior Branch of the Irish Girl Guides, caters to young people from the age of 14 to 30. The current Drogheda unit was founded in 2012 with only 4 members and hasn't stopped growing since - now there are nearly 30 members!

The unit is now being run by Sophie and Orla, two of the oricinal four members. When discussing the Senior Branch Challenge, Orla said, “It was our first year taking part in the competition, we’d talked about it in the past but had never got around to it; but the group this year were so enthusiastic that we had to do it!”

Sophie agreed, adding that “Everyone worked really hard and put a lot of time into it, it was great to see the camaraderie among the whole group and to see their leadership skills flourish as they took on the responsibility to run activities for their peers as well as for younger members of the organisation!”

Neassa, who joined the group last year, spoke about the group's spring trip away as her favourite part of the experience “I felt that was when we really bonded and got to know each other better, it was when we became good friends.”

Talking about what they thought was the most challenging part, members Lauren and Jenna spoke about the weekend they planned and ran for the Brownies (aged 7 - 10) “I didn’t realise how energetic they would be!” Lauren laughed, Jenna agreed and followed up with “But it was a really good experience and so fun too!”

Through Senior Branch, young people have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, make new friends, grow in confidence and independence, and even experience international adventures! The last year saw some of our members take part in trips to Switzerland, Norway and London, alongside our own adventures to Antrim, Meath and Cavan, thanks in part to support from local councillors Declan Power and Michelle Hall.

This summer 13 members of the group will be attending Orbit, where they’ll join over 700 members of Irish Girl Guides for a week of fun!

Drogheda Senior Branch are always happy to welcome new members, if you’re aged between 14 and 30 and interested in getting involved (even if you’ve never been a guide before!) you can contact us at droghedaseniorbranch@gmail.com  or via the Drogheda Girl Guides page on Facebook.