The Girls' Brigade International Council
 

Ireland

General Information  
Area 70,282 Sq.Km ( 43,575 Sq.Mi.)
Population 3.6 million
Currency 1 Euro = 100 cent
Capital Dublin
Time
Government Democracy
GMT
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern
Languages Gaelic is the official language, although the majority of the population uses English as their first language.  
Religions Christian
Major Industries Computer software, information technology, food products, brewing, textiles, clothing
     

Geography
Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean 80km (50mi) to the west of Great Britain across the Irish Sea. It stretches 500km (310mi) north to south and 300km (186mi) east to west, and contains only two cities of any size. Much of Ireland's high ground is close to the coast, and almost the entire Atlantic coast, from Cork to Donegal, is a wall of cliffs, hills and mountains. Most of the centre of the island is composed of flat farmland or raised bogs which are drained by the river Shannon.
 
Climate
Despite its northern latitude, Ireland's climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream, bringing the remains of Caribbean weather, as well as turtles and triggerfish. The temperature only drops below freezing intermittently during the winter and snow is scarce. Summers aren't particularly hot, rarely hitting 30°C (86°F), but they're comfortable and it stays light until around 11 pm. Rain falls all year round especially where the scenery is best, such as around Kerry.
 
Wildlife
The Irish landscape and predominant flora that you see today are almost wholly the result of human influence. As a result of the pressure on the land, only 1% of the native oak forests which once covered Ireland remain, much of it is now replaced by dull columns of plantation pine. Foxes and badgers are the most common native land mammals, but there are also hares, hedgehogs, squirrels, shrews, bats and red deer. Otters, stoats and pine martens are found in remote areas. Many migrating birds roost in Ireland, and there are still a couple of native species lurking about such as corncrakes and choughs.
 
Cuisine
Irish meals are usually based around meat - in particular, beef, lamb and pork chops. Other traditional dishes include Irish breads and scones, bacon and cabbage, a cake-like bread called barm brack and a filled pancake called a boxty.
 

The Girls' Brigade
 

Structure :

CHURCH
COMPANY
CHAPLAIN
CAPTAIN
OFFICERS
SUB-OFFICERS
ASSOCIATES
BRIGADERS
SENIORS
JUNIORS
EXPLORERS
TINY TOTS
DISTRICT
NATIONAL BOARD
Age Groups : The sections within The Girls' Brigade are as follows:
  Tiny Tots Under 5 years
  Explorers 5 - 8 years
 

Juniors

 9 - 11 years
  Seniors 12 - 13 years
  Brigaders 14 - 18 years

 

 Associates 19+ years
 

Uniform :

Tiny Tots & Explorers Tiny Tots & Explorers wear a long sleeved red jumper, navy tunic, navy pants, white knee socks and white runners (shoes).
  Juniors Juniors wear a white shirt, navy v-neck jumper, red tie, navy tunic, navy pants, white knee socks, navy hat and white runners.
  Seniors Seniors wear a white shirt, navy v-neck jumper, blue tie, navy skirt, navy hat, black tights and black shoes.
  Brigaders Brigaders wear a blue pilot shirt, navy skirt, red and blue striped tie, navy hat, black tights and black shoes.
  Officers Officers wear a navy suit, white long sleeved shirt, navy tie, navy tights, navy shoes, navy hat and white gloves.
The Uniform for activities is a white short sleeved blouse, navy tunic, navy pants, white ankle socks and white runners.
 

Badge Work :

  Explorers The Explorers work for three star awards: Copper, Silver and Gold. The syllabus is divided into six parts - God's book, Exploring, Self, Talents & Tasks, Activity, Riches.
    A sample programme is put together each session on a theme e.g. Water, Animals, Talking to God, Family, Friends.
The Junior, Senior and Brigader badgework is based on the four sided programme of Spiritual, Physical, Educational and Service.
  Juniors The Juniors work for two circles and must cover a subject from each side of the programme to gain their badge.
    Example subjects are: Spiritual - Bible Study, Bible Drama; Physical - Rhythmic Movement, Modern Dance, Swimming; Educational - Choir, Choral Speaking, Crafts; Service - First Aid, Health & Hygiene, Giving for Pleasure.
  Seniors The Seniors work for two circles and must cover a subject from each side of the programme to gain their badge.
    Example subjects are: Spiritual - Bible Study, Bible Drama, Missionary Interest; Physical - Rhythmic Movement, Modern Dance, Swimming, Horse Riding; Educational - Choir, Choral Speaking, Crafts, Accident Prevention; Service - First Aid, Health & Hygiene, Giving for Pleasure, Young Hostess.
  Brigaders The Brigaders work for four awards - three triangles and a Brigader Brooch. Following the four-sided programme, each girl requires 10 points to complete each triangle, each subject (except the Bible Study) is worth 2 points (Bible exam is worth 4 points). To complete the Brigader Brooch each girl must have a total of 40 points with a minimum of six gained in each aspect of the four sided programme.
    Example subjects are: Spiritual - Bible Study, Church Service, Missionary Interest, Sunday School Teaching; Physical - Adventure, Rhythmic Movement, Modern Dancing, Swimming, Team Games; Educational - Household DIY, Magazine Production, Arts of Make Up & Hairstyles, Drama; Service - Company Service, First Aid, Care of Elderly, Baby Care, Catering for a Group, Service to the Community.
Brigaders can also do their President's Award (equivalent to Duke of Edinburgh Award) through Girls' Brigade and can gain points towards their Brigader Triangles and Brigader Brooch for same. Brigaders may also complete the two year syllabus to gain their International Award (equivalent to Queen's Award).
National President: Mrs Joan Darling
 
WEB SITE : http://gofree.indigo.ie/~gbirelnd/