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The achievements showcase a strong year for scientific innovation in Limerick.
Students from County Limerick secured an impressive haul of seven awards at the 62nd Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE) hosted in the RDS, Dublin.
The success for the Limerick schools spanned the Technology and Health & Wellbeing categories, with projects ranging from environmental conservation to advanced medical aids.
Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom secured three major distinctions during the event.
Students Miles Bueno and Sarah Hurley were recognised twice for their project, ‘PowerPredict: Predicting Outages up to 10 days in advance.’
The duo received the AerCap Sustainable Skies Award (Technology) and secured second place in the Senior Group category for Technology.
Tomas O’Sullivan claimed first place in the Junior Individual Technology category. His project ‘chirp’ utilised AI audio analysis to create a low-cost approach for monitoring bat populations.
John Shanahan received a Highly Commended Award in the Junior Health & Wellbeing category for his research on public awareness and reaction to presumed consent for organ donation in Ireland.
Desmond College in Newcastle West continued its tradition of success at the exhibition, bringing home four awards in the Health & Wellbeing categories.
Student Sophie Keane earned two awards for her project, ‘Effective Medical Solution for Bed Bugs.’ She was presented with the Housing Agency Award and also secured second place in the Senior Individual category.
Daniel Doherty was awarded second place in the Junior Individual category for his project, ‘Grip Geenie,’ a device designed to provide comfort and confidence to users through improved mechanical grip.
Nell McMahon took third place in the Intermediate Individual category for her project, ‘AsthmaSense,’ a digital system designed to record and predict asthma attacks.
The 2026 Stripe YSTE titanium trophy was 3D-printed by Limerick-based medical device manufacturer Croom Medical.
Aoibheann Daly, a fourth-year student from Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk in County Kerry, was named the overall winner for her project, “GlioScope,” which utilises deep learning and causal AI to identify genetic mutations in brain cancer through MRI scans, potentially eliminating the need for invasive and risky brain biopsies.
