Kerry’s youth celebrated at the 25th celebration of the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022

One hundred and seventy people from across the county attended the 25^th celebration of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee on Friday, September 30^th. The evening commenced with dinner and was followed by a presentation of twenty-five awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements. Twenty Merit Awards, a Group Award, a Special Achievement Award, a Community Safety Award and the Overall Winner Award were presented on the night. This year also welcomed the introduction of a new award entitled Inspiring our Youth Award. The awards scheme which first commenced in 1998 are held for youths between the ages of thirteen and twenty-one years and recognise the great contribution young people have made and continue to make to their communities in Kerry.

Twenty-one year old Patrick Clifford from Milltown was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022. The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Group Award was presented to Bandage your Language, Mercy Mounthawk in Tralee. The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Special Achievement Award was presented to Cian Heaslip from Tralee. The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Community Safety Award was presented to Tommy Boyle from Castleisland. The Inspiring our Youth Award was presented to Mary Gardiner.

Twenty Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Merit Award Certificates were presented to individuals who have made a positive contribution to their community and make it a better place to live. The recipients were:  Allanah O’Sullivan, Tralee; Aoife Bourke, Blennerville; Caitlin McEnteggart, Firies; Cathal Casey, Ballinskelligs; Chloe Lynch Herlihy, Killarney; Ciara Nix, Tralee ; Dean McCarthy, Listowel; Dylan O’Connor, Killarney; Ethan McIntyre, Killorglin; Jared Tritschler, Listowel; Jessica Griffin, Tralee; Leah Murphy, Kilgarvan; Markas Bielovas, Killarney; Nicole Walker, Ballymacelligott; Odhran Ferris, Ardfert; Oisin Colton Foley, Castlemaine; Sarah O’Donoghue, Killarney; Shauna Riordan, Castleisland; Shay McCarthy, Waterville and Tara Foley, Killorglin.

Assistant Commissioner Eileen Foster stated “An Garda Síochána in Kerry is proud of our continued association with the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards. The Youth Achievement awards provide An Garda Síochána with an excellent opportunity to positively engage with young people, while recognising their outstanding contributions to their communities. This year is particularly significant, as it marks 25 years of the Kerry Youth Achievement Awards and is also An Garda Síochána’s Centenary year. An Garda Síochána would also like to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Lee Strand in supporting the awards and providing a platform which recognises the efforts of young people throughout their communities. An Garda Síochána would also like to congratulate young people and their families for their significant contribution to improving the society we live in. In a time of monumental change and challenges across society, it is wonderful to see young people continuing to give back to their communities and long may that continue into the future.

Donal Pierse, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented “Lee Strand is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998. Over the past 25 years Lee Strand in association with An Garda Siochana have always been proactive in acknowledging and identifying the positive work by young people and voluntary groups to enhance community life in Kerry. The awards are a fantastic celebration of their outstanding achievements. We would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and thank our customers for supporting Lee Strand. It is only with the continued support of our customers that enables Lee Strand to continue to sponsor great celebrations like the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: Domnick Walsh Photography

Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards Winners 2022

Overall Winner           Patrick Clifford, Milltown

Group Award             Bandage your Language (Mercy Mounthawk Tralee)

Special Achievement Award             Cian Heaslip, Tralee

Community Safety Award                 Tommy Boyle, Castleisland

Merit Awards

Allanah O’Sullivan, Tralee

Aoife Bourke, Blennerville

Caitlin McEnteggart, Firies

Cathal Casey, Ballinskelligs

Chloe Lynch Herlihy, Killarney

Ciara Nix, Tralee

Dean McCarthy, Listowel

Dylan O’Connor, Killarney

Ethan McIntyre, Killorglin

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Jared Tritschler, Listowel

Jessica Griffin, Tralee

Leah Murphy, Kilgarvan

Markas Bielovas, Killarney

Nicole Walker, Ballymacelligott

Odhran Ferris, Ardfert

Oisin Colton Foley, Castlemaine

Sarah O’Donoghue, Killarney

Shauna Riordan, Castleisland

Shay McCarthy, Waterville