Pictures: Young Kilkenny people celebrated at Garda Youth Awards 2025

A number of young people from Kilkenny were celebrated at the recent Kilkenny/Carlow Garda Youth Awards 2025, sponsored by Netwatch, at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow.

The Garda Youth Awards celebrates outstanding young people aged between 13 and 21 years, and recognises the good work they are doing throughout their communities. The Garda Youth Awards, at County and National level, celebrates outstanding young people aged between 13 and 21 years, and recognises the good work they are doing throughout their communities.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Counci Michael McCarthy; Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Fergal Browne, along with Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere TD; Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD and Minister for State; Natasha Newsome-Drennan TD; Colin Hayes, Netwatch; Mick Galwey, Netwatch and Superintendent Sean O’Meara, Kilkenny Garda station made presentations of awards on the night.
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The awards were originally launched locally in Kilkenny/Carlow in 2019 to highlight the resilience, compassion, and community spirit exhibited by young individuals. Whether through acts of kindness, leadership, or perseverance, these young individuals demonstrate their commitment to improving the world around them and inspire others to foster a culture of positivity and support within the two counties.

Nominations were made from across the two counties and following a judging panel the winners were selected. There were four main categories for the 2025 awards: Individual Award, Group Award (for two or more young people), Special Achievement Award and Community Safety Award, in addition a number of awards were presented to winners from the Carlow, Kilkenny and Thomastown areas. The main category award winners will have their nominations submitted for consideration for the Garda National Youth Awards to be held later in 2025.
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Inspector Conor Nolan lead out proceedings on behalf of An Garda Síochána: "Judging the contribution of young people under key themes was really challenging," said Inspector Nolan.

"Our award winners have made a real difference to people. I am delighted on behalf of An Garda Síochána to acknowledge the contribution of these young people to their communities, especially vulnerable people living among us. These are young people making a real difference. I want to thank Cathlaoireach Fergal Brown, Carlow Local Authority and Cathlaoireach Michael McCarthy, Kilkenny Local Authority for also supporting these young people and presenting awards on the night."

Superintendent Anthony Farrell congratulated all Award winners from Kilkenny and Carlow who who overcame challenges and in some cases personal adversity to make a real positive difference.

"These award winners are fantastic young people," he said. "Through their actions, they have changed focus from themselves to others in their community - small acts of thoughtfulness and kindness do make a real difference. A special well done for our Carlow Award winners St. Leo's College and Lauryn Webster. Finally thanks to Managing Director Colin Hayes and the team at Netwatch for their unwavering community support."

The attendance of Cathaoirligh and senior management from Carlow and Kilkenny Local Authorities really added to evening and demonstrated not only the strong collaboration between public sector organisations in the community but also the outward focus of both organisations on its citizens.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell also acknowledged the role of Netwatch in supporting An Garda Síochána Divisional Youth Awards as key sponsor. Colin Hayes has always been supportive of the community work of An Garda Síochána, especially celebrating all that is positive. Netwatch success as market leaders in detection and security technology internationally has been in part reinvested into communities especially here in Carlow. That investment is beyond financial where with his team of ten colleagues came along in person to support the Awards evening in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel.

Netwatch MD Colin Hayes said: “We are delighted to support the Carlow and Kilkenny Awards showcasing young people who make their communities a better place, or have shown fortitude and resolve. The awards are a great opportunity to recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people throughout Kilkenny and Carlow on a daily basis, which speaks to the Netwatch mission; to create a fearless environment.”

The following were our award winners for 2025:
Individual Award Winner: Ciara Ryan, Callan, Kilkenny – presented by Superintendent Sean O’Meara, Kilkenny Garda station
Group Award Winner: Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership Swim Buddy Group – presented by Cllr. Michael McCarthy, Cathaoirleach Kilkenny County Council
Special Achievement Award Winner: Lauryn Webster, Carlow – presented by Mick Galwey, Netwatch
Community Safety Award Winner: Phoneless Phobia, St Leo’s College, Carlow – presented by Cllr Fergal Browne, Cathaoirleach Carlow County Council
Area Award Winners:
Danny Carty, Bagenalstown, Carlow – presented by Superintendent Sean O’Meara, Kilkenny Garda station
Ellie Carter, Gowran, Kilkenny – presented by Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere TD
Maisie Rowe, Kilkenny City – presented by Natasha Newsome Drennan TD
Holly Long, Ballyhale, Kilkenny – presented by Colin Hayes, Netwatch