Celebration for Kilkenny students at Garda Youth Awards

Young people who go the extra mile and do extraordinary things in their community were recently recognised at the Annual Garda Youth Awards.

Remarkable groups and individual entries from young people aged between 13 and 21 years of age were acknowledged with an awards evening in the Tower Hotel, Waterford.

The awards acknowledge those who by their presence, make their communities and society in general, a better place in which to live and acknowledges the endeavours of young people who have faced and overcome challenges in their life.

This year Kilkenny Garda District combined with Waterford Kilkenny Garda Division Youth Awards for

the first time. The winners in four categories each received a Waterford Crystal engraved vase and special guests at the event were Thomas Barr track and field Olympian and Kathelyn Cummins, the 2025 Rose of Tralee.

There were over 20 winners with one overall winner that will progress on to the National Garda Youth awards.

Kilkenny- INDIVIDUAL AWARD winner: Lilly Ells Boland

This award is presented Lilly Ella Boland who was nominated by Mary Pierce.

Lilly Ella is a student at Kilkenny college who has shown exceptional compassion in helping those experiencing homelessness. Lilly Ella demonstrated an outstanding spirit of leadership and initiative in organising a collection drive within her school for food and toiletries. She encouraged fellow students, teachers and staff to donate essential items which were then distributed to local families in need and experiencing homelessness locally and on Grafton Street. Lilly Ella’s actions have made a positive difference on people’s lives and have also raised awareness of the difficulties of homelessness. Lilly Ella is truly an inspiring role model for young people within her community.

Kilkenny -SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT winner: William Cody

This award is presented to William Cody who was nominated by Anthony Leahy, Colaiste Abhainn Ri, Callan.

Will has carried an exceptional weight for someone so young. He lost his mother some years ago. More recently his father’s serious farm accident removed his central adult support while also placing significant practical responsibilities on someone so young’s shoulders.

Showing enormous courage Will has stepped up to run the family farm, a demanding role, while at the same time finding the time and commitment to navigate his Junior Cert. He also excels in his sport playing a significant role in the school’s Junior All-Ireland win, never letting his team down. Will really is an inspiration to us all, dealing courageously and selflessly with all the personal setbacks he has had to endure.

Kilkenny INDIVIDUAL AWARD: Oleksii Sukhykh

This award is presented to Oleksii Sukhykh who was nominated by Shane Doyle.

Oleksii arrived in Ireland following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. In 2022, he joined Kilkenny no name club as a youth member. In 2023 he became a junior member and supported over 50 new members into the club which has an ethos of supporting teenagers to have a fun social life without a reliance on alcohol or other drugs. Oleksii’s enthusiasm for his role has been of great benefit not only for the club but also in his support for helping other Ukrainian teenagers to join and interact with the local community.

Kilkenny SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT winner: Finn Abbott

This award is presented to Finn Abbott who was nominated by Bernadette and Jacqueline Brophy.

At just 13 years of age Finn was faced with two serious emergency situations on consecutive days. In the first incident, he found a girl unconscious due to substance misuse.

While others left her, Finn acted decisively contacting an ambulance and his mother, putting the girls needs first and foremost, making sure she was cared for over all else. The next day he was again called upon in an emergency when his friend hurt himself and Finn again displayed enormous maturity by ensuring he received the care needed.

Finns’ contribution directly helped two people who were in a medical crisis. Displaying courage and maturity beyond his years he put their needs above all else. While others walked away, he showed remarkable calmness and responsibility of which he should be very proud.

Kilkenny Community Safety winner: Kilkenny Comhairle na Nog

This award is presented to Kilkenny Comhairle na Nog who were nominated by Graciela Ploania. Kilkenny Comhairle nan Og recognised mental health as a key safety priority during their Annual Youth Conference. They discovered that isolation and poor wellbeing were significant contributors to vulnerability and antisocial behaviour. They recognised that mental health is a major factor in young people feeling safe. Preventing isolation is key to stopping anti-social behaviour before it starts. KCNN partnered with CYPSC to develop the “act, belong, commit!” campaign.

Kilkenny Community Safety winner: Kilkenny Comhairle na Nog

This award is presented to Kilkenny Comhairle na Nog who were nominated by Graciela Ploania. Kilkenny Comhairle nan Og recognised mental health as a key safety priority during their Annual Youth Conference. They discovered that isolation and poor wellbeing were significant contributors to vulnerability and antisocial behaviour. They recognised that mental health is a major factor in young people feeling safe.

Kilkenny Community Safety Award: Kilkenny Youth Pride Committee

This award is presented to Kilkenny Youth Pride Committee who were nominated by Ruth Flanagan and Mary Mescal. Kilkenny youth pride is a group of young people aged 16 to 19 who were involved in co-organising Kilkenny’s first ever pride parade and festival. The group were heavily involved in working with Kilkenny pride and the county council to deliver a family fun day after the parade, in addition to youth specific events for young LGBT+ people and friends.

Kilkenny Community Safety Award winner: Business studies students, Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale

This award is presented to the business studies students, who were nominated by Helen McTighe and Rita Dooley. These third year students created a student led financial literacy book as part of their digital media literacy class in 2025.

Community Safety Category Award Winner: Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes

This award is presented to the youth pilgrimage to Lourdes nominated by Father Sean O Connor and Celine Phelan. These 7 young people, Molly Phelan, Abbey O Brien, Beibhinn Shefflin, Gloria Kolodziej, Freya Reid, Liam OGrady and Aden Farrell, have devoted their time and energy to fundraising to get to go on a religious pilgrimage with the parish elderly and infirm residents.

Overall Group Award Category Winner -The Air that I Breathe

Najah Hussein, Enya Pesce, Tallia Donnelly, Nicholas Nowah and Cian Holden who were nominated by Amanda Quigley and Hannah McCormick. In 2025 Newpark Close family resource centre engaged a group of young people in art workshops exploring the factors driving smoking and vaping. Through creating a sculpture, they examined underlying influences and discussed impacts on health, community and the environment.