Deserving young people honoured
TALENTED, hard-working young people were celebrated and honoured at the Wicklow Garda Youth Awards at the Parkview Hotel.
Today FM’s Phil Cawley acted as MC for the awards, which celebrate the achievements of young people aged from 13 to 21 who have excelled through their work within the community and demonstrated great selflessness and generosity to others.
Garda Emma Skinner, juvenile liaison officer, welcomed everyone to a very special evening in Newtownmountkennedy on Friday.
‘Some of these young people have overcome immense difficulties in their lives and I hope you will find them as inspirational as I have,’ she said.
There were four categories of awards to be handed out (individual, group, community safety and special achievement), with the highest marking winner from each category going forward to the National Garda Youth Awards in April.
Dylan O’Toole (19) from Bray, who was nominated by Adam Burke of Connect BNYP, has a number of phenomenal achievements under his belt – too many to list. In his school, he was class captain, head boy and prefect and carried those leadership qualities into Connect BNYP Ballywaltrim, where he was certified peer leader, organised a bereavement event and was part of the fundraising team that raised €3,900 in aid of Nathan Flynn. Dylan is also on the St Fergal’s GAA committee and is co-founder of the ‘Good Craic open mic nights’ at the Harbour Bar.
Award-winner Feargal Hennigan (14) from Dunlavin is a member of ‘The Whatchamacallits’ group as part of the West Wicklow Youth Project and is also on the board for the project as well as the Kildare Youth Services. Feargal is known for looking out for others and for constantly striving to improve things for everyone around him. He has worked on projects around making a difference to climate change, art telling the story of Dunlavin and an arts piece on mental health. The other young people really look up to Feargal, who is extremely considerate of others and is happy to work away in the background without ever looking for any recognition.
Colaiste Chraobh Abhann student Kate Wilson (14) is an exceptional camogie player for her school, club and county. She also gives back to her community by volunteering as referee and as a coaching assistant with under-six, eight and ten players. Kate is a great role model to these younger girls, helping to provide a healthy outlet and promote sport.
Another of the individual awards was presented to Matthew Fallon (14), who was nominated by his uncle, Mark Quick. Matt has volunteered with the CoderDojo in Greystones as a junior member since he was just 7 years old. Coder Dojo teaches children computer coding and as there is no fee to join it relies on volunteers like Matthew.
Eve Cowdry (17) from Wicklow town, who was nominated by Pam Beacom of the Blue Dolphins Special Olympics Club, has never missed a swimming session. Not only that, but her commitment and caring personality has ensured that numerous athletes have thrived under her guidance. She has also volunteered on the Wicklow Lourdes pilgrimage, helped with the Irish Water Safety beach swim, and she was a lifeguard on Wicklow beach last summer. A talented musician who plays several musical instruments, Eve was part of the Colaiste Chill Mhantain school orchestra that won the Waltons music competition last year.
Jonathon Murphy (17) from Delgany has been working diligently with Lakers since 2017. The recent recipient of the Bray Lions Club Youth Ambassador award, he has received funding from this to work on a project with Lakers. His intention is to make young people more aware of the work done by the Lakers and to integrate the members more closely with the wider community.
Ashford’s Sadhbh Durston (15) has always been very interested in helping people with disabilities and is actively involved in volunteering with both Wicklow Warriors and Healing Hands. Wicklow warriors is an all-inclusive rugby team for people with additional needs based in Wicklow Rugby Club while Healing Hands is a therapeutic riding centre for children and adults with disabilities.
The final individual award was presented to Shauna Kelly (21), who is hugely involved in the smooth running of GAA activities at the County Wicklow Centre of Excellence and County Grounds in Aughrim. She has become involved in the county health and wellbeing committee and as a member of the GAA National Youth Forum, she surveyed young people and presented her findings to management with great confidence. While Shauna’s
practical support to the GAA is hugely beneficial, it’s her positive attitude and kind personality that really sets her apart. She has helped county teams and, in particular, squad members from the Travelling community to ensure positive, supportive integration. Always first to volunteer or offer to lend a hand, she has also worked with the Special Olympics in Rathdrum and has collected money for the Wicklow Hospice.
In the groups category, the Order of Malta Bray Cadets were recognised for everything they do to make Bray a better place, including visiting elderly neighbours and setting up a community coffee morning. They show great spirit every time they come to training to learn about first aid, sign language, anti-bullying, fire-safety and other skills. Two of them have used their skills outside of uniform to help a family member – one saved her mother from choking and the other, who was just 15 years old, treated her dad when he suffered a heart attack.
The efforts of two students from St Gerard’s School in Bray to help the homeless was also honoured. Isabella Wilkinson and Hannah Nolan organised care packages for people sleeping rough in their communities, filling the packs with personal toiletries, a hat, gloves, socks and a hairbrush. They put together a presentation for their peers with the hope of encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. They sourced their own sponsorship and raised €1,200, which was used to put together 60 care packages which were distributed by Focus Ireland.
The positive role it plays in the community saw St Teresa’s Boxing Club in Bray collect an award. A positive outlet for young people, it provides a safe space, an affordable activity, and a group of coaches that go above and beyond to serve the community.
‘The Clowns’ from Newtownmountkennedy Youth Project (namely Alice Coster O’Brien, Kian Lyonn and Orlaith Dalton) were recognised for their efforts in their local community. As well as convincing other young people to take part in the youth group, they have taken on massive responsibilities, including taking a large group to Causey Farm, setting up a large showcase event, completing first aid and CPR and much more.
Two Community Safety Awards were presented on Friday night.
The first went to a YSI team from Colaiste Bhride Carnew, who took it upon themselves to try to make Carnew a dementia-friendly place. They took many steps to spread awareness and targeted local businesses in a bid to get them involved.
Emma and Erin Bardon, Ali Duggan and Keelin Cahill from St Mary’s College in Arklow were also winners in this category after they made over 30 packs for the homeless last year and, this year, hosted a sleep-in for Bray Women’s Refuge.
Three very worthy winners were presented with Special Achievement Awards.
Hannah Byrne (17) from Wicklow town was nominated by her mother Corinna Byrne, who suffers from severe back problems and, in her own words, would be lost without her beautiful daughter.
Every day, Hannah looks after her mam without any hesitation or resentment, is incredibly selfless and has been invaluable to her mum’s care for the past four years.
James Byrne (15) from Carnew helps to look after his younger brother, having lost his mother when he was just nine.
Together the three of them lived on a farm in Carnew and, with each passing year, James has grown with bravery, maturity and kindness.
He helps everyone he can whenever possible, brightens up the classroom and is an inspiration to all who know him.
Reegan Bartley (14) has had to stay in hospital for a considerable length of time due to medical conditions and ongoing health issues.
In recent times, he has suffered the untimely loss of both his parents. Despite these challenges, Reegan displays wonderful determination and personal strength in embracing all the opportunities life has to offer.
Chief Superintendent Denis Ferry, Inspector Fergal Harrington, Kay O’Connor (on behalf of Wicklow Partnership) and MC Phil Cawley all spoke warmly of the incredible acts and attitudes of the award winners.
Dylan O’Toole (individual), Order of Malta Bray Cadets (group), YSI team from Colaiste Bhride Carnew (Community Safety) and Hannah Byrne (Special Achievement) will go forward to represent Wicklow in the national garda awards.
The evening concluded with a beautiful selection of songs by 16-year-old singer Rachel Coyne who comes from Donard.