This article is from page 28 of the 2008-05-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
MULLAGH village received a spring clean last week courtesy of the local girl guides and brownies.
Conscious of the environment they live in, the girls from six and a half years old to 15-years were determined to maintain it, so that any visitors to the west Clare village this summer would see it in its best light.
What began as Mullagh Brownies approximately seven years ago has now become Ibrickane Brownies and Girl Guides as the local group grows in popularity.
While initially the girls came from Mullagh and Quilty, the brownies
attracted other girls from Muiltown Malbay. Older girls also became involved and the girl guides were formed under the watchful eye of Alison Browne and Emma Ironside- Boyde.
There are 32 girls from the Ibrick- ane area involved in the guides with a waiting list forming for more inter- ested young people.
The Brown Owl, Mags Cunning- ham, who took over as leader of the brownies with the help of Marie Sex- ton just two years ago, said that the eroup were considering forming a ladybirds group for four to six and a half year olds.
Ms Cunningham, whose’ two
daughters are involved in the brown- ies and guides, said that the organi- sation help children learn about their environment, responsibility and how to lend a hand at home and in the community.
In February the girls raised €485 for sick children in Our Lady’s Hos- pital for Sick Children in Crumlin, by hosting a pancake night. They were also involved in People in Need and the St Patrick’s Day parade in Miltown Malbay.
‘They learn to respect people, help out at home and get involved in the community,” said Ms Cunningham.
At the enrolment ceremony they promise to keep to the Motto “Our
duty to God and our country”.
Ms Cunningham said that as the brownies and guides were made up of nine different schools, children had the opportunity to make new friends in the locality.
As well as remembering the secret handshake and building up a collec- tion of interest badges, the brownies and guides must also meet for an hour every Monday night.