Launch of Donegal Garda Youth Awards 2026 on May 19th

The annual ‘Donegal Garda Youth Awards’ celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years from throughout Donegal.

An Garda Síochána in Donegal in conjunction with Supermac’s and the Abbey Hotel (Donegal Town) recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community in Donegal. Awards will be considered for nominated young people who by their presence make their communities a better place to live in.

The nomination process is now open and An Garda Síochána in Donegal is now inviting the public to nominate a young person or young people they know who is/are committed to making a difference in their community.

Awards Adjudicator, Inspector Freda Mc Cague, said: "I am delighted to be associated with the Donegal Youth Awards this year for the first time and I am looking forward to seeing the high quality nominations that we have become accustomed to receiving from the young people in Donegal. Many of these young people have represented the county with distinction at national level over the last number of years. I urge people in positions of responsibility with young people to make use of this opportunity to nominate suitable youths for consideration and recognition in their respective fields.”

Fellow Adjudicator, Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan, said: "The Garda Youth Awards is a fantastic initiative. Since the awards were launched in Donegal in 2019, it has become very clear that there is an abundance of talented young people in our community who make various types of positive contributions on a regular basis. It is very important that such contributions are recognised and celebrated. Please continue to take this opportunity to nominate suitable young people, for consideration and recognition in their respective field.”

The winners of the 2025 Donegal Youth Awards were as follows:
• Individual – Karolina Byrne
• Special Achievement – Rihanna Reynolds
• Community Safety – Casey Reid & Aoife Cameron
• Group – John Cannon & Ryan Quinn
• Special Recognition – Paddy Boyle

In 2025 Donegal also had two winners at National Level as follows:
• Special Recognition Category – Paddy Boyle
• Rihanna Reynolds – Special Achievement Category

There are four separate award categories for young people:

Individual Award – Making a positive contribution to their Community, making it a better place to live in.

Group Award – two or more young people making a positive contribution to their community, making it a better place to live in.

Special Achievement Award – Overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds, and whose commitment deserves recognition.

Community Safety Award – Through a crime prevention or safety initiative/innovation, have made their Community a safer place to live.

Nomination forms may be obtained from any Garda Station. A copy of the form may also be requested by emailing DG.GardaYouthAwards@Garda.ie or downloaded below.
The application form is also available in Irish. When the form is completed, please submit it via email to the email address above or by post to Garda Gráinne Doherty, Letterkenny Garda Station, Newline Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 PC03.

Completed nomination forms must be accompanied by a media consent form.

Nominations must be received by noon on Tuesday, 7th July 2026 to be considered.

An awards event will take place later this year on a date to be determined. Winners and nominees will be notified of the event by the organising committee following the adjudication process.