A Connemara student won a national title for his woodworking skills at the WorldSkills Ireland 2026 competition last month.
Eoin Ó Ráinne from Leitir Móir, Co. Galway, claimed first place in Cabinetmaking while representing ATU Connemara at WorldSkills Ireland at the RDS in September.
Galway was well represented across multiple competition categories:
- Eoin Ó Ráinne, Leitir Móir – Cabinetmaking (Winner)
- Jake Slattery, Dunmore/Tuam – Carpentry
- Enda Farrell, Kylebrack, Loughrea – Industrial Controls
- Kacper Krzykowski, Ballymacward, Ballinasloe – Automobile Technology
- Edward Hempsted, Gurteen, Ballinasloe – Toolmaking
- Enda Acros, Gort – Cabinetmaking
- Chloe Costello, Ballinasloe – Restaurant Service
- Pavel Kostin, Moycullen – Restaurant Service
Professor Graham Heaslip, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at ATU, said, “We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of all our ATU students at WorldSkills Ireland.”
“Their dedication, professionalism and willingness to test themselves on a national stage exemplify the talent being developed across ATU and the strength of our apprenticeship and skills programmes.”
“I also want to acknowledge the lecturers, technical staff and employers whose mentoring and support made this possible. These students are the skilled professionals our region and our industries depend on, and they have done themselves, their families and ATU proud.”
