Participants in the 2025 Gaisce Defence Forces Adventure Challenge. From left to right (back): Commandant Joanne Naughton, 2 Artillery Regiment, Padraig Byrne, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Eoin Moylan, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly, Jack O’Connell, Inis Mór, Co. Galway, Avril Ryan, Gaisce CEO, Jane Moran, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow, Michael O’Sullivan Irwin, Glenamoy, Co. Mayo, Ben Aaron Moore, Caherdavin, Limerick From left to right (front): Sean Robert Keane, Waterford city, Amy Nolan-Edwards, Edenderry, Co. Offaly, Ava Connolly, Milford, Co. Donegal, Chloe Shields, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal, Rónán Blake, Ennis, Co. Clare, Adam Hagan, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Two Offaly people take part in Defence Forces challenge for Gaisce Silver Award

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Two young people from Offaly recently participated in a Defence Forces Adventure Challenge week as part of the Gaisce Silver Award programme.

The challenge was hosted and coordinated by 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment (2 BAR) in Custume Barracks, Athlone, and the local training areas.

Eoin Moylan from Kilcormac and Amy Nolan Edwards from Edenderry were among 12 young people from all over Ireland who are undertaking their Gaisce Silver Award and took part in the annual Defence Forces Adventure Challenge.

The challenge included a lecture on camouflage and concealment, survival skills training involving teaching the students how to apply camouflage cream, and teaching the students how to light a fire and other survival strategies using minimal equipment. The group also undertook a number of hikes during the challenge in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and surrounding areas.

The group was instructed by Lt Col Niall Verling, the Commanding Officer of 2 BAR, and other military instructors from Custume Barracks.

Lt Col Niall Verling OC 2BAR said: “2 Brigade Artillery Regiment (2 BAR) were delighted to represent the Defence Forces by coordinating the Adventure Week Challenge with Gaisce. The purpose was to provide a challenging interactive environment to assist the participants to achieve their Silver Award. The Defence Forces' aim was to provide participants with an insight into the professional, unique and disciplined skillsets of the Defence Forces. The participants had an opportunity to build confidence in their own ability and develop life skills through hiking, survival skill training, tactical movement and navigation lessons. Congratulations to all the successful participants.”

Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce said: “Gaisce – The President’s Award is delighted to maintain our strong partnership with the Defence Forces, which is now in its 37th year. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Defence Forces, 12 Gaisce Silver Award participants have had the chance to experience this fantastic opportunity. Adventure in the outdoors is a cornerstone of the Gaisce experience, offering young people the chance to step beyond the familiar and discover both the natural world and their own inner resources. Through the adventure journey, participants gain a variety of practical skills – from preparing meals, to setting up a campsite, to choosing the right gear, to navigating tracks and trails. These are not just outdoor skills; they are life lessons in preparation, problem-solving, resilience, and teamwork.

"The annual Gaisce Defence Forces Adventure Journey Challenge truly epitomises this spirit of adventure and learning that we want every awardee to carry forward in their Award journey. A massive congratulations to all the participants on taking part, and to the dedicated Defence Forces personnel from Custume Barracks who made it such a memorable and transformative experience for everyone involved.”

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