Four young people from Killarney were amongst those commended for their great contribution to society during Friday night's Garda Youth Achievement Awards.

Dylan O’Connor from Killarney was one of the Merit award winners at the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards on Friday. Photo: Domnick Walsh

Killarney’s Sarah O’Donoghue pictured holding her Merit award during the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards on Friday night. Photo: Domnick Walsh

Markas Bielovas Killarney received a Merit Award at the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards on Friday. Photo: Domnick Walsh

Garda Mary Gardiner received the Inspiring Our Youth Award at the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Friday. Photo: Domnick Walsh

Merit award went to Caitlin McEnteggart Firies at the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel Tralee on Friday. Photo: Domnick Walsh

170 people from across the county celebrated at the 25th Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2022 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel.

It commenced with dinner and was followed by a presentation of 25 awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements.

20 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 13 and 21 years and recognise the great contribution young people have made and continue to make to their communities in Kerry.

21-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.

20 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:

Chloe Lynch Herlihy, Killarney
Dylan O’Connor, Killarney
Markas Bielovas, Killarney
Sarah O’Donoghue, Killarney
Allanah O’Sullivan, Tralee
Aoife Bourke, Blennerville
Caitlin McEnteggart, Firies
Cathal Casey, Ballinskelligs
Ciara Nix, Tralee
Dean McCarthy, Listowel
Ethan McIntyre, Killorglin
Jared Tritschler, Listowel
Jessica Griffin, Tralee
Leah Murphy, Kilgarvan
Nicole Walker, Ballymacelligott
Odhran Ferris, Ardfert
Oisin Colton Foley, Castlemaine
Shauna Riordan, Castleisland
Shay McCarthy, Waterville
Tara Foley, Killorglin

“An Garda Síochána in Kerry is proud of our continued association with the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards," Assistant Commissioner, Eileen Foster, said.

"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 added that 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 Síochána 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.”