Eoghan McCabe honoured at Garda National Youth Awards

Ardee student Eoghan McCabe this afternoon honoured with a special achievement award at this year's Garda National Youth Awards held at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.

Born with a rare genetic condition, it was not certain how this might impact how Eoghan would navigate life or the day-to-day life or that of his loved ones.

Eoghan has proven the old saying, ‘where there is a will there's a way.’

With years of hard work, love and perseverance, Eoghan has been able to attend his local secondary school, Scoil Uí Mhuirí together with his siblings.

He plays a central part in the management and operations of his local GAA club and among friends and club mates in the Special Olympics, Drogheda.

His happy, positive disposition brings an infectious smile to all who have the pleasure of encountering him or to be in his presence.

Eoghan had the genius idea of holding a Charity Tractor Run as part of his Transition Year project for the benefit of charities close to his heart, and he held it again this year to raise a combined €55,585.

“Eoghan’s Home Run” as it is now known, has been a tremendous success and is a testament to his spirit and enthusiasm that he managed to pull it all off with the support of his allies and peers in the community.

Speaking to the Democrat ahead of last year’s tractor run, Eoghan’s mother Linda explained how he first came up with the idea during lockdown in 2021:

“For TY he had to do a project, and he said during the summer of that year that he’d like to do a tractor run so his granny and granda could go out and see it.

“I thought that maybe we would get a few to turn up and rock around the parish, but the response was amazing.

“We pulled together a few family and friends to try to organise it and Eoghan said he wanted to do it for charity and we decided on Williams Syndrome Ireland because he has Williams Syndrome and we thought we’d throw in a local charity too which was Ardee Hospice.”

Eoghan’s efforts have seen him awarded a Civic Award from Ardee Municipal District at last year’s annual awards ceremony along with a Special Recognition Award at the Foróige Youth Entrepreneur Awards last year.

Eoghan also represented Ireland last September at the European YouthStart Awards.

The Garda National Youth Awards recognise exceptional young people aged 13-21 who have positively contributed to their community.

The first inaugural Divisional Garda Youth Awards took place in 1995 having been brought about by Garda James O’Mahony, a Bandon based Juvenile Liaison Officer. Garda O’Mahony believed it would be fitting to award the excellence of young volunteers in the local area.

In 2019, the National Garda Youth Awards were established by Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris in recognition of the meaningful work of so many young people in communities all across Ireland.