PICTURES: Inspirational and courageous young people honoured at Clare Garda Youth Awards

Some of County Clare’s most inspirational and courageous young and unsung heroes have been honoured at the seventh annual Clare Garda Divisional Youth Awards.

The recipients, who are all aged between 16 and 21, received their awards, surrounded by proud families and friends, at a special ceremony at Hotel Woodstock, Ennis on Friday.

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Sponsored by the Shannon Airport Group, seven awards in total were presented at the event; two Special Achievement, two Individual, one Community Safety and two Youth Group awards, to young people from across Clare who have displayed tremendous leadership, resilience and community spirit in helping others and overcoming challenges.

This year’s winners were recognised for a variety of voluntary work and personal triumphs, among these, raising awareness of the importance of being able to provide first aid in emergency situations; overcoming serious illness and using this personal journey to highlight the signs and symptoms of cancer among young people; organising multiple large scale ‘Tractor Run’ fundraisers, raising over €25,000; participating in a pilot project to create a school’s guide for safe social media use; volunteering with local schools and GAA clubs and organising a Drug and Alcohol Free Music Festival to raise awareness of the harm that substance abuse can bring to young people’s lives and their wider community.

Special guest speaker at the event was one of Ireland’s greatest sporting legends, former Munster and Ireland rugby player Keith Earls.

Delivering his address, Mr Earls commended the courage, resilience and determination of the winners, whom he stated will undoubtedly continue to thrive and achieve great things in their lives.

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Congratulating the winners, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said: “This is our seventh year sponsoring the awards and The Shannon Airport Group is so proud to support this wonderful initiative. The Clare Garda Youth Awards provide a platform to acknowledge some of our most inspirational young leaders, many of whom have triumphed in the face of personal adversity. These heroic young people are making a real difference in their communities, and it is important that their contribution is celebrated to serve as an inspiration for others to follow.”

Aileen Magner, Chief Superintendent of the Clare/Tipperary garda division  added: “The awards ceremony opens our eyes to the challenges that young people face, whether that adversity presents as an illness, injury or a social situation. Our two groups have identified challenges within their own young communities and came together to support future students and to create a positive and safe space within both a social media and a social setting.

"When I look at our individual award recipients, I am overwhelmed with the strength displayed by each of them. Their positive outlook is inspirational. Each of our award winners are positive role models for young people and their shared vision for an inclusive and safe future for our community is remarkable.”

The 2024 Clare Garda Youth Award winners are:

*Individual Award: Daniel Spaight (19) from Bridgetown

*Individual Award: Aaron Hunt (19), from Ballina Tipperary (student in St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe)

*Special Achievement Award: Ciara Fitzpatrick (17) from Newmarket on Fergus

*Special Achievement Award: Liam Roche (17) from Kilrush

*Community Safety Award: Emer O’Loughlin (21) from Ennis

*Group Award: Ennis TY Mobile Phone and Social Media (21 participants aged 16 from Ennis area)

*Group Award: Synergy Festival Group (10 participants aged 18-21 from Ennis area)