Youth of the Year: Outsider.ie Awards 2024

Energetic, exceptional, and endlessly ambitious! This year’s Youth Award celebrates the rising stars that are under 18 and who are making their mark on the Irish outdoor scene. Our panel of judges will have the tough task of choosing from an incredible pool of young adventurers.

You’re Invited!

If you’re a nominee, consider this your official invitation to the Outsider Awards, taking place on the evening of Thursday 27 February 2025, at the iconic Sugar Club, Dublin.

We are beyond thrilled to announce the support of our incredible sponsors, who are helping us celebrate all the brilliance of the Irish adventure scene. With their backing, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable night!

A special thank you to our title sponsor, Sport Ireland, as well as our supporting sponsors: Craghoppers, Sustainable Tourism Network, Fáilte Ireland and Salewa.

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We were blown away by the quality and quantity of the nominations we received this year. So sit down, relax and check out these incredible nominees for Outsider.ie Youth of the Year 2024. #OutsiderAwards.

Leah Hough

Teenager Leah Hough wowed the world of paddle sports this year when she brought home Ireland’s first-ever women’s gold in freestyle kayaking at the World Cup in Germany.

Leah (18) – from Navan in County Meath and a member of Trim Canoe Club – discovered kayaking through the scouts when she was 13. “It was the ideal way for me to explore my passion for the outdoors and the natural world,” she says. “And being surrounded by wildlife and nature when kayaking is my favourite aspect of the sport by far.”

While Leah was nervous before her World Cup race, she says she managed to enter her flow state and paddle well enough to be satisfied with her performance. Her favourite memory of the event? “Standing on top of the podium at an international event for the first time – it was something I’d long been dreaming of.”

Her advice for young people who want to get into paddle sports is “to hold onto your dreams and keep believing in them” but also to remember to have lots of fun along the way. “If you work hard anything is possible,” she says.

Leah is also grateful for the huge support she gets from friends and family, Trim Canoe Club, and the Irish Freestyle team.

Leon Kennedy Toase

On his last day as a six-year-old Leon Kennedy Toase became the youngest person to complete the County Highpoints – achieving this standout feat of climbing the highest points in Ireland’s 32 counties in just eight months.

Leon (now 7) – from Mayobridge in County Down – says he was motivated to complete this challenge as he loves “going away on adventures, seeing new places and being really high up!”.

His dad Drew says the pair have been fond of hiking and camping in the Mournes for years but had never ventured further afield. Then he was given an Irish walking guide for his birthday. “We ticked off a few of the local counties with some friends and planned trips further away. We soon caught the bug and headed off in the van any opportunity we could,” he says.

Drew has been super impressed with Leon’s attitude throughout. “He always has a smile plastered on his face, happily chatting with people we met along the way and is confident yet careful along the trails. I’m very jealous of his energy levels. After a tough hike, he would run on to play on the beach or run round a park while I was just fit for the floor!”

Of all the county high points he climbed, Leon says Carrauntoohill was his favourite. “The zig zags were fun and my daddy was terrified!” he says, laughing.

His tips for other kids who might fancy climbing some of these high points with their parents or carers? “Bring loads of sweeties for energy, don’t go to the top if the weather’s too scary – try again another day. And always go for a hot chocolate after a big hike!”

Katie Franklin

Katie Franklin climbed Carrauntoohil and went to Iceland on the Tom Crean survival challenge this year, proving to herself and others that keeping active is the best way to manage having scoliosis.

Katie (15) – from County Wexford – decided to climb Ireland’s highest mountain on one of the coldest January days of the year to demonstrate to herself she was capable. “I knew it would be tough, and it definitely was, but I wanted to challenge myself and show that just because something is difficult doesn’t mean I’ll fail,” she says, proving herself right in the process, even though she thought her legs would fall off at one point!

It was part of her training for the Tom Crean survival challenge in Iceland on which she thrived when pushing herself physically and mentally. “The hikes, carrying gear, learning survival skills, facing weather that was new to me, while bonding with a group of 40 other teenagers and adults I hadn’t met before, was challenging,” she says. “But completing it gave me a new sense of confidence and showed me just how much I’m capable of.”

She also notes how being active in the outdoors brings so much to her life, despite suffering from the spinal condition scoliosis. “Having scoliosis does make things a bit different, but I’ve learned to manage it,” she says. “Before my spinal fusion surgery, I had to find the right mix of staying active while not overdoing it, which wasn’t always easy. Now, after my surgery, I’m taking things step by step. Staying active helps me focus on what I can do, rather than what I can’t.”

Siobhan O’Loughlin

Siobhan O’Loughlin (16) has had a phenomenal 2024 season, cementing her place as one of Ireland’s rising stars in mountain running.

At the U18 Mountain Running Championships in Palencia, Spain, Siobhan dominated the trial race, and placed as the highest Irish woman on race day, earning an impressive 32nd place in a world-class field.

Her incredible form continued as she qualified for both the uphill-only and classic distance events at the European Off-Road Championships in Annecy – a rare double achievement for a junior athlete.

Back on home soil, Siobhan shone at the British & Irish Mountain Running Championships, hosted by Ireland in Glendalough. She powered through the trials, crossing the line first and securing her place in the final. She delivered again on race day, finishing as the leading Irish U17 athlete.

Siobhan trains with St. Michael’s AC in Portarlington under the guidance of coach Owen Connolly, who has helped channel her evident talent into standout performances. A testament to her hard work, bravery and quiet determination, Siobhan will be a name to watch in the years ahead on both the national and international stages.

Dillon Lynch

Dillon Lynch became the youngest person to break the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for summiting all 32 county high points in Ireland in 2024 – an extraordinary feat completed in just 49 hours, 47 minutes, and 17 seconds.

When Dillon Lynch (17) – from Kildorrery, Co. Cork – first set out to take on this challenge, he wasn’t just chasing records. His aim was to combine his love of the outdoors with a deeper purpose: raising funds for Barretstown, a charity that provides life-changing experiences for seriously ill children.

The FKT challenge required Dillon to summit each county’s highest point, covering over 160km and more than 10,000 metres of elevation. Starting with the iconic peak of Mweelrea in Mayo and finishing on Errigal in Donegal, Dillon navigated technical descents, night ascents, and minimal rest during the 90-minute drives between summits. Despite the physical and mental toll, he pushed through with grit and determination, shaving over three hours off the previous record.

Dillon’s passion for the outdoors began at an early age. At eight, he became the youngest person to complete the 32 County High Points Challenge, using the opportunity to raise money for local causes. Since then, he has taken on numerous adventures, always tying them to a charitable mission. His journey to breaking the FKT was no exception, raising over €9,000 for Barrettstown with the support of sponsors and donors.

For Dillon, this challenge wasn’t just about breaking records; it was about proving what’s possible when you combine passion, purpose, and perseverance. His advice to aspiring adventurers? “Plan meticulously, train hard, and remember to enjoy the journey – it’s as much about the people you meet and the memories you make along the way as it is about the finish line.”

Culann and Aaron Conroy

Ten-year-old Culann Conroy became the youngest ever Irish person to summit Kilimanjaro this year, alongside his 13-year-old brother Aaron. An amazing achievement for these two outstanding youths as it’s a strenuous near 6000m climb.

Culann (now 11) – hailing from Kylemore, Connemara in County Galway – took on the challenge with his 13-year-old brother Aaron and dad, having first decided he wanted to go to Africa when he was five years old. “We love the outdoors and listening to dad tell us stories of the mountains he’d climbed,” says Culann. Once the boys learned that Kilimanjaro could be taken on by children as young as 10, the pair were all in.

Culann’s favourite parts of the climb were seeing the mice that looked like chipmunks on the mountain, a lightning storm below them from the high camp, swimming in the hot springs and the safari. His advice for other kids wanting to take on an adventurous challenge in 2025? “You must be very fit and not eat too much chocolate! Big challenges are hard and lots of the time it isn’t fun but it’s definitely worth it.” He also recommends going with Jason Black if you want to climb mountains.

His dad Peter says Culann can be shy, while his brother Aaron is very outgoing but gets pressure from his peer group at school. Peter hoped if they achieved the climb, it would supercharge their confidence and self-belief. His verdict after the climb? “They inspired me! Young kids are extremely capable and they know when to get serious. We need to have more belief in their physical and mental endurance.”

Alexandra and India Lewis

Siblings Alexandra Lewis (12) and her sister India (15) also climbed Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, this year, an awesome feat by two very capable, outdoors-loving girls.

With a mother from Naas in Co Kildare, India and Alexandra were born and raised in Dubai. They wanted to climb Kilimanjaro as it was their dad’s birthday wish to have a family adventure together, rather than a bog-standard present. “I thought it would be a fulfilling achievement,” says India, “and I was determined to make it to the summit.”

Her favourite part of the climb was when they got up early in the freezing cold ready to make the final ascent. “It felt very scary and exhilarating at the same time,” she says. “I knew I had a challenging time ahead of me but once I made it to the top it was worth it.”

Her sister Alexandra says she loved the whole experience, especially the food and atmosphere on the climb. For anyone thinking of taking on a similar challenge, Alexandra says: “Be strong and don’t give up. And make sure you eat all the food provided to you to give you the energy to keep going!”

India adds: “Focus on the journey and not just the destination, and embrace the world around you as you may only get this opportunity once in your life.”

Their dad, Elliot, says they had one of the best experiences of their lives all together. “I’d recommend it to any family – it was great for bonding and really motivational for us all.”

Brian Foster

Brian Foster (16) wowed the open-water swimming community this year when he became the first male ever to complete a two-way North Channel swim. Yes, you read that right—this teenager swam to Scotland and back!

Brian is one of only two people ever to achieve this feat, joining professional American swimmer Sarah Thomas. The mammoth 70km swim took the schoolboy an incredible 24 hours, 50 minutes and 13 seconds to complete—a true ultra challenge by this open-water prodigy.

Growing up in Cork, Brian didn’t swim competitively in the pool but he always loved swimming for fun, whether in the sea, the pool, or wherever he could. Locally, Sandycove Island became a huge influence. A regular group of marathon and Channel swimmers often lapped the island and Brian was inspired to follow in their wake. “I aspired to complete similar challenges,” he says. With their guidance and support, he became part of the welcoming open-water community, which only deepened his passion for the sport.

The timing of his training aligned perfectly with transition year (TY) in school and fewer academic pressures. “It freed up a lot of time and made training less stressful,” Brian explains. Although there were moments when life felt like “eat, sleep, swim, repeat,” he managed to balance his training, school, and social life thanks to the flexibility TY offered.

For Brian, the love of open-water swimming goes beyond the physical challenge. “I love the community, the challenge and how nothing is ever the same in the open water,” he says. “It’s a new experience every day, with a different vibe and personality to every swim.”

Initially, Brian had only planned to complete a one-way North Channel swim, but as his training progressed, he began contemplating the unthinkable: a double North Channel crossing. After hitting milestones in his training and receiving encouragement from Jacqueline McClelland of Infinity Channel Swimming, the dream turned into a reality.

Despite the gruelling conditions, Brian never considered giving up. “I was always committed to finishing the swim,” he says. Even in tough moments where the conditions threatened to cut the swim short, his determination never wavered.