Launching the Lee Strand/Garda Youth Achievements Awards 2026 in Lee Strand. Kneeling l to r: Rebecca O’Sullivan (2025 Overall Winner of the Lee Strand/Garda Youth Achievement Award) and Superintendent Dave Callaghan. Standing l to r: Sergeant Irene Riordan, Inspector Emma Clerkin, Theresa Walk (Lee Strand) and Garda Mary Gardiner. Picture by Eye Focus LTD.LEE Strand and Kerry Garda are delighted to announce details of the Lee Strand / Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2026.
The awards are held for youths between the ages of thirteen and twenty one years and recognise the great contribution young people have made and continue to make to their communities in Kerry.
The awards will be presented at an awards ceremony in the Rose Hotel, Tralee on Friday, September 18th.
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This year 20 Merit Awards will be presented to individuals who have made a positive contribution to their community and make it a better place to live.
A Group Award will also be presented to groups of two or more people who have made an impact to their community. The Special Achievement Award will be presented to an individual who has overcome difficult circumstances, has defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.
\A Community Safety Award will be presented to an individual who through crime prevention or a safety initiative/innovation has made their community a safer place to live. The Overall Winner of the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement 2026 will also be presented.
Chief Superintendent Colm O’Sullivan stated “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Their commitment to the communities that the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Awards recognise and reward, is certainly indicative of their future roles in forming and maintaining a caring and thoughtful society in an ever changing world.”
“Leadership is difficult, but the resilience of our youth is remarkable; their initiative, their willingness to get involved, their ability to adapt, to mentor and deliver, in and for their communities, bodes well for all our futures. The annual awards continue our role in An Garda Síochána in developing and maintaining strong relationships with our youth in Kerry.”
“This recognition and co-operation has a positive effect on society and as a whole and I would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to Lee Strand for their continued sponsorship and support for these worthy awards.”
Gearoid Linnane, CEO, Lee Strand stated; “Lee Strand has a strong commitment to supporting initiatives within the local community and we are delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since its commencement in 1998. The awards provide a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of the young people of Kerry, who have made a positive impact within their local community.”
The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, May 29th 2026. Nominations are available from any Garda Station in Kerry or are also available to download on www.leestrand.ie/garda-awards/
Any member of the public can nominate a young person whom they feel has made a contribution to their local area.
Nominations are accepted from individuals, community and voluntary groups, schools and youth clubs/organisation. For further information contact: 066 7102300.
