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Killarney students amongst winners in Garda Youth Achievement Awards
OVERALL WINNER: 21-year-old Amy Roche (right) from Tralee was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand and Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Award. Amy was nominated by Lisa Curran (left) for all her amazing help with Lisa’s 10-year-old son Christopher who has autism. Photo: Domnick Walsh
MERIT: Michelle Hickey, Ellen Farndon, Emma Affonso, Rebecca Kenny and Katie O'Connor all received Merit Awards in the Garda Youth Achievement Awards on Saturday Night.
AWARD: Killarney Community College Transition Year student Rachel Griffin has been awarded a Garda Youth Achievement Award.
By Michelle Crean
Killarney was represented well in this year's Lee Strand and Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards which were announced on Saturday night. As with most events this year it was a virtual affair and took place live on Radio Kerry hosted by Alan Finn with listeners tuning in from all over Kerry, across Ireland and abroad.
The awards show recognised the great contribution young people have made and continue to make to their communities in Kerry. A total of 25 awards were presented with each nominator reading a citation for each of the award winners. The award show also included interviews, music and a host of celebrity guests also paid tribute to this year’s award winners.
Killarney Community College Transition Year student Rachel Griffin was announced a winner and celebrated with her family in the comfort of her own home.
Rachel was nominated for her award by her music teacher Ms Hughes who stated that "Rachel is an unbelievably talented musician who plays guitar, sings, writes and composes her own songs".
Rachel has stood out as an exceptional musician the moment she came into the school as a First Year. She has always had an amazing work ethic and selflessly helps others in her class. Rachel is a member of our school choir, won our annual 'Who's Got Talent Competition' in 2018 and starred in the lead role of Beauty in our 'Beauty and the Beast' show in 2019. We are so proud of her," Ms Hughes said.
Rachel performed a pre-recorded song in her kitchen which was harmonised by her mother and sister and played during the ceremony. Huge numbers from the school tuned in to celebrate in Rachel's success.
St Brigid's students Michelle Hickey, Ellen Farndon, Emma Affonso, Rebecca Kenny and Katie O'Connor also all received Merit awards on the night.
[caption id="attachment_36848" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
MERIT: Michelle Hickey, Ellen Farndon, Emma Affonso, Rebecca Kenny and Katie O'Connor all received Merit Awards in the Garda Youth Achievement Awards on Saturday Night.[/caption]
The overall winner was named as 21-year-old Amy Roche from Tralee. Amy was nominated by Lisa Curran for all her amazing help with Lisa’s 10-year-old son Christopher who is autistic.
[caption id="attachment_36846" align="aligncenter" width="636"]
OVERALL WINNER: 21-year-old Amy Roche (right) from Tralee was announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand and Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Award. Amy was nominated by Lisa Curran (left) for all her amazing help with Lisa’s 10-year-old son Christopher who has autism. Photo: Domnick Walsh[/caption]
WINNERS
The Special Achievement Award Winner was Emma Kerin, Scartaglen nominated by St Mary Basketball Castleisland. Faye Greely and Molly Ní Shé from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle were announced as the Group Award Winners. Lifesavers CCC from Castleisland Community College were winners of the Community Safety Award.
The 21 merit award winners were: Caoimhe Harte, Duagh; Lisa Flynn, Cordal; Ronan Foley, Killorglin; Maisie and Edie Hall, Castlegregory; Rebecca Kenny, Katie O’Connor, Michelle Hickey, Ellen Farndon, St Brigid's Presentation Secondary Killarney; Emma Affonso, St Brigid's Presentation Secondary Killarney; Adam Cronin, Killarney No Name Club; Natasha Myers, Killorglin Community College; Conor Flaherty, Ethan Ward, Philip Tracey, CBS The Green, Tralee; Ethan Slattery, Killarney Order of Malta; Mounthawk Transition Year Fashion Show Students, Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee; Bradleigh Smith, Killorglin Community College; Alison O'Sullivan, Killarney No Name Club; Aoise Healy, Presentation Secondary, Tralee; Currow Community Clean-Up Transition Year Group, Presentation Secondary Castleisland; Troy Kennedy, St Michael’s College Listowel; Rachel Griffin, Killarney Community College, Thomas White and Anna-Marie O'Donnell, Tralee Red Cross; Hannah O'Sullivan, Colaiste na Sceilge, Caherciveen, Holly O'Brien, Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee, and Tyler O’Sullivan, Killorglin Community College.
Taoiseach makes historic first visit to Beaufort schools
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin made a historic visit to St Francis Special School and St Mary’s of the Angels on Wednesday afternoon, marking the first time a serving Taoiseach has visited either Beaufort facility.
The visit followed a recent Dáil invitation extended by Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who accompanied the Taoiseach alongside local Councillor Tommy Cahill. During the tour, the Taoiseach met with management, staff, residents, and families to observe the services firsthand and discuss operational challenges.
Both Michael and Tommy Cahill welcomed the visit, emphasizing the campus’s potential to become a super respite centre of excellence for children and adults with profound disabilities.
“This was a truly historic occasion,” Deputy Cahill said. “The Taoiseach had the opportunity to see the excellent facilities on the campus first-hand and, importantly, to hear directly about the challenges and concerns they face. There is huge potential here to further develop respite and enhanced services.”
Councillor Tommy Cahill added that the visit was a significant day for service users and staff. He confirmed ongoing engagement with government departments, St John of God, the HSE, and local stakeholders to ensure the site’s full potential is realised.
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