Celebrate Nonie's 35 years of Service to Bearna Girl Guides

Sí Gaoith Girl Guides has been a staple part of community life in Bearna for over 30 years. Nonie Hickey and Margaret Mary Devaney are the leaders in this picture, taken in the mid-1980s.

Sí Gaoith Girl Guides has been a staple part of community life in Bearna for over 30 years. Nonie Hickey and Margaret Mary Devaney are the leaders in this picture, taken in the mid-1980s.

Bearna-Na Forbacha in 1982 was a very different place. Into this small community, Nonie Hickey introduced the Irish Girl Guides, and set up the Sí Gaoith troupe. Last December, after 35 year at the helm, she attended her last meeting.

On Saturday, ex-guides, parents, and friends are invited to attend a special celebration in The Twelve Hotel at 2.30pm. It will be an opportunity to thank Nonie for her extraordinary dedication and commitment to the countless number of girls - about 1,500 - who donned the blue uniform with the Sí Gaoith crest every Friday night over the years.

If you have old photographs from those days, or stories, please share them with us, as we would love to show what an impressive contribution Nonie has made to the community.

 

The First Roll Call: 

 
The uniform may have changed, but Nonie was still among the faces at this 25th anniversary celebration in 2007.

The uniform may have changed, but Nonie was still among the faces at this 25th anniversary celebration in 2007.

Nonie's last meeting in December 2017. Therese, Mags, and Orla will carry on her great work into the future. 

Nonie's last meeting in December 2017. Therese, Mags, and Orla will carry on her great work into the future. 

A trip down memory lane... (Photos courtsey of Nonie Hickey)