Emotional scenes at garda youth awards in Carlow
The family of the late Ryan Kearney who received a 'Special Recognition' award at the Carlow Garda Youth Awards in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel. Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
YOUNG people from across Carlow have been recognised for their remarkable contributions to their communities at the annual Carlow Garda Youth Awards, which were held recently in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel.
The awards, which are led by Insp Conor Nolan and run in association with Netwatch, with support from Carlow Co Council, celebrate the outstanding contributions that young people between the ages of 13 and 21 make to their communities, with nominations submitted by members of the public.
There were emotional scenes when it was announced that a special recognition award went to the late Ryan Kearney from Ballinaboley, Leighlinbridge.
Ryan’s mother Sinéad received the award on his behalf after he was nominated by Cara Dogs Rescue for his years of support for animal welfare and his work in fostering over 100 dogs throughout his lifetime. This year’s Christmas lights display in Tinryland in memory of Ryan raised over €27,000 for the charity and Oscar’s Kids Ireland.
The individual award went to Katie Byrne, a sixth-year student at Tullow Community School, for her involvement across a wide range of community projects. Katie was involved in the Carlow Regional Youth Services (CRYS) Community Roots Programme, as well as Tullow Youth Project, where she volunteers several times a week after school and is also a member of the ‘Headstrong’ team at Tullow CS, which promotes positive mental health for students.
The catering group from Carlow Youth Training were recipients of the group award for a bake sale they organised to raise funds for Christmas boxes to give to the residents of St Fiacc’s House in Graiguecullen. The group members, who were assisted by their catering tutor Keith Hoban, prepared the gift boxes before meeting the St Fiacc’s House residents and personally presenting them with the gifts.
There were also awards for the Heart2Home team from St Leo’s College, who received the community safety award for their project exploring how to improve homecare, while Yelyzaveta Aralova and Kateryna Trehub won a special recognition award for their roles in South East Technological University’s Ukrainian Student Society and first-year student at Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Áine Malone, who received the special achievement award.
The winners from each category will go forward to a national judging panel, where they will be considered for the Garda National Youth Awards.
