Winning for Ireland - Inspirational

One of our less endearing qualities is our proclivity to relish downfall rather than celebrate success — we can be terrible, natural begrudgers.

At a moment when it is too easy to be overcome by the negatives all around us, it is wonderful to celebrate a significant international success, one that reflects well on this society and on our education system too.

Student Kieran O’Callaghan has won the overall award at the European Student Innovation. A student at Cork Institute of Technology, he was prevailed over a field of 42 finalists from 28 countries.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has returned from a trip to China trying to promote this country. Mr O’Callaghan’s great success puts meat on that promise and should give us all reason to be optimistic. His victory shows there is a lot of fight left in this old dog just yet.