Merit award winners Conor McCarthy, Alex Thornton, Danny Kingston, Eoin Mangan and Philip McEneaney at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot CreanTWO hundred people from across the county attended the 29th celebration of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2026 in the Rose Hotel, Tralee on Friday, September 18.
Twenty-five awards were presented accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements.
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.
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Kayla McGaley from Castleisland winner of the Lee Strand Garda Youth Individual Overall Achievement Award in The Rose Hotel on Friday evening. Photo By: © Eye Focus LTDSeventeen-year-old Kayla McGaley from Castleisland announced as the Overall Winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2026.
Kayla had to have both legs amputated after contracting meningitis when she was just 13 months old. The former Castleisland Community College student is now an inspiring swimming coach at Tralee Little Dolphins swim club which provides adaptive swimming lessons designed for children with Autism, Physical and Additional Needs.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Group Award was presented to Five Young Swimmers – One Big Cause.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Special Achievement Award was presented to Kacper Robak, Killarney.
The Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Community Safety Award was presented to Brian Enright, Listowel.
The Inspiring our Youth Award was presented to Liz Twomey.
Twenty 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.
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Superintendent John Ryan stated; “Every year, the stories from the Awards remind us of the incredible potential, resilience, and power of our younger generation. On behalf of An Garda Síochána, it is an absolute privilege to congratulate this year’s recipients and celebrate these remarkable young people alongside their families.”
Merit award winners Emma Lacey and Jessica Lacey with Teresa Higgins Walker of Lee Strand and Garda Liz Twomey at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean“An Garda Síochána remains deeply committed to ensuring our youth are recognised for their vital role in shaping the future of our society. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the parents, families, teachers, coaches, youth leaders, and friends whose unwavering support makes these achievements possible.”
Ronan Savage, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented; “Lee Strand is delighted to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards since 1998. Over the past 29 years Lee Strand in association with An Garda Siochana 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.”
Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Award Winners 2026
Individual Overall Winner – Kayla McGaley, Castleisland
Group Award – Five Young Swimmers – One Big Cause (Cathal Slattery, Ewan Kennelly, Noah Connoly, Adam Burns & JJ Liston)
Special Achievement Award – Kacper Robak, Killarney
Community Safety Award – Brian Enright, Listowel
Merit Awards
• Aoibheann Daly, Tralee
• St Brigids Killarney (Fiona Brunner, Blaithnaid O’Connell, Keelin O’Shea, Hannah Kelliher, Lucy Lenihan, Rachel Clifford, Sophie Duke & Tara O’Sullivan)
• Culann Dowling, Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee
• CBS The Green, Tralee (Danny Kingston, Eoin Mangan, Conor McCarthy, Alex Thornton & Philip McEneeny)
• Eibhlin Lynch, Caherciveen
• Emily O’Reilly, Tralee
• Eilidh Cregan, Ballybunion
• Grace McGovern, Scartaglin
Fiona O’Brien & Lisa McMahon, Duagh
• Jamie Manning, Abbeydorney
• Jessica & Emma Lacey, Tralee
• Killian Fitzgerald, Dingle
• Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Tralee (Sophia White, Keelin O’Sullivan, Nadia Kozub, Sadie Mazurek)
• Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh, Castlegregory (Go Wild & Shoreline Shapers)
• Nathan O’Brien, Killarney
• Orla O’Shea, Valentia Island
• Oisín Doyle, Killarney
• Order of Malta, Killarney (Faye Sparling O’Riordan, Michael O’Donovan & Eoin Cremin)
Presentation Listowel (Margaret Carmody & Eabha Keane)
• Yvonne Barrett, Listowel
Inspiring our Youth Award – Liz Twomey
Order of Malta members Tara Sparling O’Riordan, Faye Sparling O’Riordan, Eoin Cremin, Michael O’Donovan and Daniel Cremin at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Group Award winners, ‘Five Young Swimmers’, JJ Liston, Adam Burns Noah Connolly, Ewan Kennelly and Cathal Slattery at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit award winner Culann Dowling with Eddie Dowling and Evelyn Dowling at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit award winners Sophia White, Sadie Mazurek and Keelin O’Sullivan, at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit award winner Nathan O’Brien with grandfather Michael O’Brien and aunt Danielle Dewhurst at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit award winner Jamie Manning with Shane Manning, Carmel Roche and Jordan Manning at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh, Castlegregory’s ‘Go Wild & Shoreline Shapers’ group with Principal Karen Blennerhassett at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Merit award winner Fiona O’Brien with Brendan and Siobhan O’Brien at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
St Brigids Killarney student Bláithnaid O’Connell with family Fiona, Dearbhla, Fionán and Tim O’Connell at the Lee Strand Garda Youth Achievement Awards at The Rose Hotel on Friday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
