President Michael D Higgins has presented Gold Gaisce medals to eight young people from Galway at a ceremony this afternoon
Three of them are with Music Matters in Loughrea; Abbie Curley, Conor Fallen and Harry Stephen Kingsland.
Another three are with the University of Galway; Niamh Lynch, Tahsin Ibne Kamal Labib and Tara McLaughlin.
While Enda O’Brien of Garbally College in Ballinasloe, and Hannah Needham with the Irish Red Cross have also received the award.