Tipperary Lions Club Member wins at Young Ambassador Final 2025/26

Lions Club held a very successful and inspiring Young Ambassador Final in the Midland Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

They wish to offer a big thank you to the eleven clubs for participating in the Young Ambassador Programme 2025/2026.

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They wish a particular big thank you to the Club Young Ambassador Officers.

The club says they appreciate their hard work and effort to ensure this wonderful programme continues.

They say it was a pleasure to work with everyone, and were delighted to meet everyone at the finals in Portlaoise.

Club Finalists representing the eleven clubs were as follows:

Carlow: Katie Byrne;
Cashel: Rhys Coppinger;
Thurles: Caitlin Tierney;
Carrick-on-Suir: Holly Kirby;
Waterford: Lily McCarthy;
Bray: Edward Harte;
Wexford: Thomas Stafford;
Portlaoise: James Doyle;
Kilkenny: Diana Petrakova;
Galway: Oisin McCaffrey;
Tralee: Cathal Slattery.

The candidates had their interview in the morning, where they were judged under the headings of community involvement, personality leadership qualities, and use of the bursey by the three judges, Jen Keating, Liam Ahern, and Anne Shanahan.

Following the interviews, the candidates had lunch with the judges and District Governor Marian McGreevy.

After lunch, each of the candidates gave excellent three-minute presentations on their community work.

The organisers say it was so inspiring for everyone to hear the wonderful work these young people are doing in their communities and their achievements to date in their young lives are exceptional.

Following the candidate’s presentations, adjudicators were treated to a powerpoint presentation from Keeva Delaney, winner from 2024, on her trip to Austria on the Youth Exchange programme.

Keeva stated the two weeks exchange was the best experience of her life, how much she loved her time there, and how well the host family treated her.

She mentioned the fun she had during the week in camp, and great friends she made from all over the world.

Keeva is hoping to travel on another Youth Exchange Programme this year.

Cian Martin, last year's winner, and Europa Forum winner, was with the group for the day, offering his advice and putting all the candidates at ease before their interview.

Cian also addressed the group, telling them of his experiences since winning both the District and Europa Final, telling them how much he enjoyed, and how he was put out of his comfort zone on many occasions, but also how he has learned so much from the experience of participating in the programme.

His confidence has grown so much over the last 12 months.

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He said that this time last year, he would never have seen himself giving presentations to large groups of people.

He wished all the contestants the very best of luck, and encouraged them all to stay in touch.

He thanked Wexford Lions Club and District 133 for giving him such a wonderful opportunity, and Stephanie for all her hard work.

Lead judge Liam Ahern concluded the final, stating how lucky and how privileged Ann, Jen and himself were to talk with and listen to the candidates that morning.

He is slow to call the event a competition, but rather a showcase for the great work these young people are doing in their communities.

He said their sponsoring Lions Club, their parents, families and especially themselves should be so proud of their achievements.

He then gave the results.

The District 103 Young Ambassador Winner for 2025/2026 was Caitlin Tierney of Thurles Lions Club, with 2nd Place going to James Doyle of Portlaoise Lions Club, and joint-3rd place going to Katie Byrne of Carlow Lions Club and Oisin McCaffrey of Galway Lions Club.

Caitlin will receive the €1,000 prize money to be used for her project, and all four candidates have been offered a place on the Young Exchange Programme sponsored by the district.

Young Ambassador Officer Stephanie Keating says she was delighted with the success of the day, and trust all who attended enjoyed it, particularly the candidates.

She says she knows each candidate has learned so much and gained confidence from their involvement in the Young Ambassador Programme.

Organisers wish to say thank you to Portlaoise Lions club for facilitating them and everybody who attended, saying everyone’s presence there certainly helped to make the day such a success, but a particular thank you to the clubs and the young ambassador officers for their support of the programme.

They say the most important thank you is to the wonderful candidates for their service in their communities and for such an inspirational day in Portlaoise.