Celebrating Young Leaders in the North Inner City

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Dublin North Central Garda Youth Awards in Croke Park — an evening that highlighted the energy, resilience, and leadership of young people right across the North Inner City.

The awards recognise more than just individual achievements. They celebrate courage, community spirit, and quiet determination. Each nominee, finalist, and winner shared a powerful story — of stepping up, helping others, overcoming adversity, and making a real impact in their neighbourhoods.

As Lord Mayor, the theme of my term is Celebrating Dublin — its culture and history, yes, but above all its people. And on this occasion, it was all about our young people: those who are already leading, shaping, and improving their communities in big and small ways.

One of the key initiatives of my mayoralty, Young Dubliners Speak, will formally launch in the coming weeks. The goal is simple — to ensure that young voices are not only heard, but valued, and that their ideas help shape the future of our city.

The awards evening was also a reminder of the strength of the wider community around our young people — parents, teachers, youth workers, mentors, Gardaí, neighbours. Behind every achievement is a network of support and belief.

Even those who didn’t take home an award on the night should feel proud. Their contributions are just as meaningful, and many of their stories are only beginning. The future of Dublin is brighter because of the values and commitment these young people already bring to the table.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the 2025 Garda Youth Awards — and thank you to the organisers within An Garda Siochana, community leaders, and supporters who continue to champion the next generation.