THE Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2026 Awards Technology Category was presented by Ray McGrath, Chair of the Judging Panel from Stripe. He presented the 3rd Junior Group Award to Ailbhe Hartnett and Sophie McKenna, from Presentation College Headford for the project Poor Women’s Telescope in This Economy.

Headford young scientists’ success on national stage

Patrick Flaherty

Published: Fri 16 Jan 2026, 9:41 AM

THERE was great success for Presentation College Headford at the weekend as they took home two prizes at the Stripe Young Scientist Exhibition in Dublin.

The competition, which saw hundreds of entries was held in the RDS in Dublin from January 6-10.

Having taken home four awards last year, the Headford school continued their remarkable record in the competition by winning two awards in 2026 in the fields of technology and chemistry.

Fifth Year student from Kilcoona, Eve Kennedy won the The AirNav Ireland Safety Innovation Award for her entry that looked at the crumpling zones found at the back and front of cars.

Meanwhile Second Year students Ailbhe Hartnett (13) from Kilmaine and Sophie McKenna (14) from Glencorrb in Co Mayo came third in the Junior Technology category after creating a budget friendly Newtonian telescope.

Read more about these projects and the other local schools featured at the exhibition in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald, on sale in shops or buy our digital edition here.