undergraduate of the year awards

2026

Winners & finalists

The Undergraduate of the Year for Innovative Sustainable Thinking

Louise Weir

Agricultural Technology

Queen’s University Belfast

Louise grew up on her family’s dairy farm in County Down, where her passion for agriculture began. The family process and sell their own milk and dairy products directly to the public, giving her hands-on experience in adding value to produce while educating people about where their food comes from. She is studying Agricultural Technology at Queen’s University Belfast and currently on placement as a McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmer with Dawn Meats, gaining insight into the beef supply chain. Louise is building a career dedicated to supporting the sustainability, resilience, and long-term future of family farms and the wider agricultural sector.

finalists

Melora Costello | University College Dublin | Sustainability with Environmental Sciences

Darragh Fitzsimons | University College Dublin | Agri-Environmental Science

Clodagh Harding | University of Limerick | Arts

Zara McMahon | University College Dublin | Food Business and Chinese

Aidan Walsh | Munster Technological University, Cork | Biomedical Engineering

Louise Weir | Queen’s University Belfast | Agricultural Technology

The Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year

Rachel O’Connor

Business and Law

University College Dublin

Rachel is studying Business & Law at UCD. She is grateful to have been nominated for the Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year Award – a huge thank you to Grant Thornton for this award. Volunteering and running a small circular fashion business have truly enriched her university experience. This active involvement is something she hopes to take into her future workplace and beyond. Whether it is AI workshops for law students or raising money for isolated elderly Rachel’s goal is always the same, to turn passive awareness into meaningful involvement.

finalists

Mark Brennan | National College of Ireland | Business

Luc Dober | Atlantic Technological University, Sligo | International Tourism & Event Management

Rachel Greene | Dublin City University | Business Studies

Joaquin Holland-Moritz | University College Dublin | Economics

Kamile Jasionyte | Maynooth University | Business Management and Global Cultures

Abby Mason | Mary Immaculate College | Psychology

AnnaMarie McKeogh | TU Dublin City Campus | Business and Law

Rachel O’Connor | University College Dublin | Business and Law

Bhadra Panicker | Trinity College Dublin | Law and Business

Ben Power | Trinity College Dublin | Business and Economics (BESS)

Robyn Casey

Law

Trinity College Dublin

Robyn is a third year Law student and applied for the award to demonstrate her passion for the field. She is a first generation University student and honestly never thought she would find something that fascinated her. Her past three years of studying have allowed her to explore the world of Law and how it applies to every aspect of life. Robyn discovered a particular interested in Land Law.

finalists

Ben Casey | University College Dublin | Law with Politics

Robyn Casey | Trinity College Dublin | Law

Katherine-Mae Cristobal | Maynooth University | Law

Jack Dalzell | Ulster University | Law

Isaac Farrell | University of Galway | Civil Law and Business

Niamh Hayes | University College Cork | International Law

Eva Kelly | Queen’s University Belfast | Law

Emma Murray | TU Dublin City Campus | Business and Law

Solomiia Rohovska | Trinity College Dublin | Law

Milan Vargheese | TU Dublin City Campus | Business and Law

Gradam Fhoras na Gaeilge Undergraduate of the Year

Antaine Ó Séaghdha

Dlí agus Gaeilge

University College Cork

A chairde gaeil, cuireann sé áthas orm a bheith anso i ndeireadh na bliana acadúla seo, taréis móran éachtaí a bheith bainte amach ag na grúpaí go bhfuil baint agam lo. Ba mhaith liom a rá nach mbraithim gur domsa amháin an taitheantas seo ach dos na héinne i gCuallacht Chorcaí agus i gConradh na Gaeilge i gcoitinne. Ní fhéadfainn a bheith anso gan gach duine a chabhraigh liom agus ba mhaith liom an taitheantas seo a thiomnú dóibh.

finalists

Aoife Doyle | Maynooth University | Bachelor of Arts

Sophie Fitzpatrick | Maynooth University | Law and Nua-Ghaeilge

Michael Foran | University of Limerick | Applied Languages

Caoimhe Halpin | Maynooth University | Sociology and Nua-Ghaeilge

Aisling Kee | Atlantic Technological University, Sligo | Business and Irish

Callan Ó Cléirigh | University College Dublin | Teanga, Litríocht& Aistriúchán na Gaeilge

Rónán Ó hÍcí | University College Dublin | Law with Irish

Antaine Ó Séaghdha | University College Cork | Dlí agus Gaeilge

Maithín Ó’hÁgáin | Queen’s University Belfast | Irish

Philomena Scanlon | TUS Athlone | Business

Future Entrepreneur Undergraduate of the Year Award

Lauri Twomey

Global Business

Trinity College Dublin

As a final year Global Business student at Trinity College Dublin, Lauri has a strong interest in entrepreneurship and sustainability, and a firm belief that the two can work hand in hand to drive future growth. She is particularly passionate about how innovation and business can make environmentally conscious choices more accessible at an individual level. Lauri hopes to build a business that supports sustainability initiatives and empowers people to make greener decisions, while supporting economic growth. She applied for this award to develop her ideas, gain experience, and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable and innovative future.

finalists

Mya Austin | Queen’s University Belfast | Law

Maeve Daly | University College Cork | Financial Maths and Actuarial Science

Sophie Gannon | Dublin City University | Law and Society

Sean Gavigan | University of Galway | Global Commerce

Sam Gibson | Atlantic Technological University, Galway | Business with Entrepreneurship

Joel Kavanagh | University of Limerick | Electronic and Computer Engineering

Mert Kaya | Dublin City University | Computing for Business

Ihor Melashchenko | South EastTechnological University, Carlow | Software Development

Kyle Quinn | Dundalk Institute of Technology | Electrical and Electronic Engineering

LauriT womey | Trinity College Dublin | Global Business

The Future Business Leader of the Year Undergraduate of the Year Award

Grace Kelly

Business Studies

Dublin City University

Grace is a final-year Business Studies student at Dublin City University, specialising in Finance. She completed her INTRA placement in KPMG’s audit department last year, where she developed strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure. Grace has always been passionate about leadership, which she’s built through captaining Gaelic football teams, contributing to DCU’s Student Managed Fund, and leading our student start-up “Waste Not Want Not” as CEO. Representing DCU at an International Entrepreneurship Bootcamp in Helsinki further strengthened her interest in innovation, and she applied for this award to continue challenging herself and growing as a future business leader.

finalists

Liam Culbert | South East Technological University, Waterford | Business

Aleksandra Damiecka | University College Dublin | Business Studies

Harry Davey | Queen’s University Belfast | Business Information Technology with Placement

Kurtis Forray | South East Technological University, Carlow | Aerospace Engineering

Rachel Holland | TUS Moylish Campus | Digital Marketing

Grace Kelly | Dublin City University | Business Studies

Megan Kennedy | Maynooth University | Quantitative Finance

Jonathan Lane | TU Dublin City Campus | Business and Law

Cillian Rooney | TU Dublin Blanchardstown | Business

Darasimi Tinubu | University College Dublin | Commerce International

The First Generation Undergraduate of the Year

Maria McKenna

Accounting and Finance

Maynooth University

Maria is a first year Accounting and Finance student at Maynooth University, driven by a strong sense of gratitude for the opportunities she has received. This motivates her to perform at her highest level while growing academically and personally. She is passionate about making a positive impact and inspiring others from rural Ireland. Alongside her studies, she balances part-time work in her local pub, actively participates in her local football team, and is a musician with several awards. Maria applied for the PwC First Generation Undergraduate of the Year Award to further develop and gain valuable insight into the industry.

finalists

Bel Aghedo | University of Galway | Law and Human Rights

Ahmad Baz | TU Dublin Blanchardstown | Digital Forensics and Cyber Security

Katie Hagan | Ulster University | Politics and International Studies

Ela Isik | Trinity College Dublin | Joint Honours

Ava Maher | University of Galway | Psychology

Maria McKenna | Maynooth University | Accounting and Finance

Laetitia Nouaha | Trinity College Dublin | Economics and Social Policy

Elizabeth Okuguni | University of Galway | Commerce

Ben Orsi | University of Galway | Government (Law, Economics, Politics)

Emily Profir | Trinity College Dublin | Business, Economics, and Sociology

The Female Leadership Undergraduate of the Year

Hannah Furey

Economics and International Relation

University of Limerick

Hannah is a final-year student of Economics and International Relations at the University of Limerick. She has developed strong academic and leadership experience through her involvement in the UL Student Managed Fund and her role as Chairperson of the UL Music Society. Hannah is passionate about promoting female representation in finance and leadership, and aims to encourage greater participation and confidence among other students. She aspires to pursue a career in finance or consulting, combining analytical skills with leadership to contribute to inclusive and forward-thinking workplaces.

finalists

Erleta Berisha | Ulster University | Sport and Exercise Science

Aoife Boyle | University of Galway | Biotechnology with German

Aoife Fahy | Dublin City University | Psychology and Disruptive Technology

Ellie Fee | Ulster University | Business with Education

Giada Franzolini | TU Dublin Blanchardstown | Sports Management and Coaching

Hannah Furey | University of Limerick | Economics and International Relations

Manasi Jangam | University of Limerick | International Business

Natalia Muraszko | University College Cork | Accounting

Rebecca O’Callaghan | University College Cork | Criminology

Lucy O’Connor | TUS Athlone | Software Design in AI for Cloud Computing

The Difference Maker Undergraduate of the Year

Aimee Cloake

Business, Economics and Social Studies

Trinity College Dublin

Aimee Cloake grew up in inner-city Dublin and is a first-generation college student. Now in her final year of BESS and serving as Access Officer in Trinity Students' Union, she organised College Awareness Week 2025 and is establishing Trinity's first Access Student Society. She sits on STAND's National Advisory Panel, mobilising students for global justice, equity and sustainability. An advocate on working class experiences and social mobility in Ireland, her current project is an online platform where people can share their experiences of class-based discrimination and raise awareness. She uses her voice to be the difference she needed growing up.

finalists

Aimee Cloake | Trinity College Dublin | Business, Economics, and Social Studies (BESS)

Evelyn Cooper | South East Technological University, Carlow | Bioscience with Biopharmaceuticals

Kate Keane | Mary Immaculate College | Business and Psychology

Ellen Keaney | University of Galway | Global Experience

Ethan Levins | TU Dublin Blanchardstown | Sports Management & Coaching

Carine Mambou | Dublin City University | Economics, Politics and Law

Jack O’Connell | Trinity College Dublin | Management Science and Information Systems Studies

Clodagh Quinn | Mary Immaculate College | Education

Samira Sikder | IADT | Animation

Danielle Whyte | University of Galway | Occupational Therapy

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