Irish Team on the Road to Shanghai as WorldSkills Ireland returns to the RDS

Ireland’s next generation of skilled talent will take centre stage this month as WorldSkills Ireland 2026 returns to the RDS Simmonscourt from September 16th to 18th, ahead of an exciting international challenge in Shanghai often referred to as the ‘Skills Olympics’.

The three-day event at the RDS will bring together young people from across Ireland to experience the breadth of skills and career opportunities available through apprenticeships, further education and training. The event will feature 31 live national competition finals, alongside interactive Try-A-Skill areas, career and educator zones and inspirational talks. With an increase in the number of apprenticeships available to students there has been a noticeable increase in interest from female students with over half (51%) of attendees at last year’s event being female.

For a select group of Ireland’s most talented young competitors, the RDS event marks another important milestone on their Road to Shanghai.

Following months of training and preparation, sixteen young Irish competitors have been selected to represent Ireland at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, where they will compete against more than 1,400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions across 64 different skill areas.

Taking place from September 22nd to 27th, WorldSkills Shanghai is the global stage for young skilled professionals, bringing together the best emerging talent from around the world to compete for international recognition.

The 16-strong Team Ireland heading to Shanghai represents an impressive breadth of skills and backgrounds, from Automobile Technology and Electrical Installations to Cybersecurity, Cookery, Beauty Therapy and Logistics & Freight Forwarding.

For those competing in Shanghai, the journey began long before stepping onto the international stage, with competitors undertaking intensive preparation and honing their skills against some of the best young talent in Ireland.

Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said, “Skills and apprenticeships are fundamental to Ireland’s future. They power our economy, strengthen industry and open doors to rewarding careers. WorldSkills Ireland shows young people that practical and technical skills are not a second choice, they are a first-choice route to success”.

With WorldSkills Ireland taking place just days before the international competition, visitors to the RDS will have the opportunity to see Ireland’s future skilled workforce in action, discover different career pathways and get hands-on with a wide range of skills.

Michael Hourihan, WorldSkills Ireland Technical Delegate, said “The event at the RDS showcases that the future can be very bright for those that choose the apprenticeship route to education and gainful employment”.

Full list (name/skill/county of origin) of WorldSkills Shanghai Team below:

Kalem Redmond, 22, Headford, Co. Galway – Automobile Technology: Having started out working in a local tyre centre, Kalem went on to pursue an apprenticeship and has since trained with Volkswagen Group Ireland and MG Ireland, as well as competing internationally in China.

Alison Adriaansen, 24, Carrigaline, Co. Cork – Cyber Security: After discovering cybersecurity during an internship while studying Software Development at MTU, Alison went on to win the 2025 national competition and has since competed in international pressure tests.

Leon Doody, 22, Cullen, Co. Cork – Retail Sales: Leon discovered apprenticeships after working in product assembly and has since developed his retail and business skills through international competitions, industry experience and even setting up his own Shopify store.

Adam Long, 24, Waterford – Digital Construction: Introduced to WorldSkills by his college lecturer at SETU, Adam has gone from being unfamiliar with the competition to competing internationally in preparation for Shanghai.

Ruán Murgatroyd, 23, Portarlington, Co. Laois – Cloud Computing: Encouraged from a young age to explore technology by his father, Ruán developed his passion for computing and has competed in skills competitions in Australia, Hungary, Korea and Ireland.

Ella Graham Harvey, 21, Bohermeen, Co. Meath – Beauty Therapy: Passionate about beauty from a young age, Ella began taking beauty courses after secondary school before studying at Dunboyne College and competing in WorldSkills.

James Hunt, 22, Virginia, Co. Cavan – Electrical Installations: James began working for his current employer at 16 before progressing to an electrical apprenticeship, and has already gained international experience competing in Australia.

Harry Green, 22, Monaghan – Additive Manufacturing CAD: Harry developed his skills through his studies at TU Dublin and has since competed in international practice competitions in France and Wales.

Eoin Dalton, 22, Lahinch, Co. Clare – Cabinetmaking: Eoin's passion for woodworking began at home, where he transformed a shed into a workshop as a teenager, before pursuing the skill professionally and competing internationally in Taiwan.

Jack O'Keeffe, 22, Knockanure, Co. Kerry – Industrial Mechanics: After gaining hands-on experience working on mechanical projects while still at school, Jack was put forward for WorldSkills and has since competed in China and trained in Sweden.

Alex Ringhoffer, 22, Cork – Cybersecurity: Alex's interest in cybersecurity grew from his Software Development studies and competing in Capture The Flag challenges, eventually leading him to the WorldSkills competition.

Darragh Brett, 22, Portrane/Donabate, Co. Dublin – Joinery: After discovering his passion for practical work through school and work experience, Darragh chose a joinery apprenticeship, won the national competition in 2024 and secured his place on Team Ireland following a play-off.

Orlaith McGeough, 21, Westport, Co. Mayo – Logistics & Freight Forwarding: Put forward by her lecturer after impressing with her exam results, Orlaith went on to win the 2025 national competition and has since combined her studies with extensive industry training ahead of Shanghai.

Oisín Alexander, 21, Killygordon, Co. Donegal – Welding: Oisín discovered welding after leaving school and developing his practical skills working on machinery, before being put forward for WorldSkills by his instructor.

Ben Langford, 22, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork – Mechanical Engineering CAD: Having taught himself CAD and 3D printing skills while still in secondary school, Ben went on to study Mechanical Engineering at MTU and has since competed internationally in France.

Charlie Ward, 22, Limerick – Cookery: Charlie's love of cooking began at home before he gained professional experience from the age of 15, working in restaurants including Michelin-starred establishments and representing Ireland at competitions in Atlanta and Shanghai.

For more information, visit worldskillsireland.ie. 

Slán go fóill.