Team Ireland celebrates Bronze Medal and Seven Medals of Excellence at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026
Ireland’s young skilled professionals have returned from the global stage with an impressive haul of medals and accolades following four intense days of competition at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Team Ireland’s 16 competitors joined more than 1,400 young skilled professionals from 68 countries and regions in Shanghai, competing across 64 skill competitions from September 22nd to 27th.
Among the highlights for Ireland was a Bronze Medal for Charlie Ward in Cookery, while the Limerick chef was also named Best of Nation, recognising his performance as the competitor from Ireland whose performance best reflected excellence.
Seven members of Team Ireland were also awarded Medals for Excellence, recognising competitors who demonstrated world-class standards in their respective skills.
The Irish recipients were:
Darragh Brett - Joinery
Ella Graham Harvey - Beauty Therapy
James Hunt - Electrical Installations
Alison Adriaansen - Cyber Security
Alex Ringhoffer - Cyber Security
Jack O’Keeffe - Industrial Mechanics
Kalem Redmond - Automobile Technology
The results mark the culmination of months of intensive preparation for Team Ireland, with competitors undertaking specialist training and international practice competitions in the lead-up to Shanghai.
For Charlie Ward, the Bronze Medal caps a journey that began with his passion for cooking at home before progressing into professional kitchens from the age of 15. A graduate of TUS Limerick Culinary Arts, Charlie has gained experience in restaurants including Michelin-starred establishments and previously represented Ireland at international competitions.
Across the four-day competition, competitors were challenged to demonstrate the highest levels of technical ability, precision and professionalism in their respective skills, competing alongside some of the most talented young skilled professionals from around the world.
The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 closing ceremony celebrated the achievements of all 1,400 competitors, with Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals awarded to the highest-scoring competitors across the 64 skill competitions. Medals for Excellence recognised those who reached world-class standards, while Best of Nation medals recognised the competitor from each participating country or region whose performance best reflected excellence.
Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said, “WorldSkills Shanghai has been an incredible experience for Team Ireland, and these results are a testament to the talent, dedication and determination of our young skilled professionals. To see Charlie bring home a Bronze Medal and be recognised as Ireland’s Best of Nation, alongside seven Medals for Excellence across such a diverse range of skills, is a fantastic achievement. We are incredibly proud of every member of Team Ireland who represented their country on the world stage.”
Michael Hourihan, WorldSkills Ireland Technical Delegate, said, “WorldSkills is about much more than the medals. It gives our competitors the opportunity to test themselves against the very best in the world, develop their skills and gain experience that will stay with them throughout their careers. The standard of competition in Shanghai was exceptionally high, and the results achieved by Team Ireland reflect the huge amount of work that has gone into their preparation. Every competitor should be proud of what they have achieved.”
For the 16 members of Team Ireland, the experience in Shanghai represents another important milestone in their development as skilled professionals, with the competition providing an opportunity to showcase the value of technical skills, apprenticeships, further education and training on a global stage.
The success of Team Ireland in Shanghai follows the national WorldSkills Ireland competition, which returned to the RDS in Dublin earlier this month, bringing together young people from across Ireland to explore the breadth of skills and career opportunities available through apprenticeships, further education and training.
Full list of Team Ireland competitors and skills:
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 setting up his own Shopify store.
Adam Long, 24, Co. 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, Co. 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 – Cabinet Making:
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. Charlie secured a Bronze Medal in Cookery at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and was named Best of Nation for Ireland.
For more information visit worldskillsireland.ie.
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