Atlantic Technological University (ATU) hosted a special event recently to honour students who represented ATU Sligo at the WorldSkills Ireland Carpentry finals. The ceremony, attended by family, employers, staff, and students, saw Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the awards.
In the Joinery competition, Dylan Kilgannon from Dromore West finished first, receiving Silver at the WorldSkills competition.
Among those recognised was WorldSkills Ireland Carpentry Winner, Kenneth Mulrooney, from Carrowhubbuck North, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. Mulrooney, representing ATU Sligo, secured the top national title following an intense competition that tested Ireland’s finest young carpenters.
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the award to Kenneth Mulrooney, from Carrowhubbuck North, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo at ATU Sligo.
Mulrooney was supported by his employer Brendan Kilrehill of Kilrehill Brothers, based in Carrowmarble, Dromore West, Co. Sligo. The company, a respected name in regional construction, has been instrumental in training young carpenters through hands-on, high-standard apprenticeship mentoring.
Among the honourees was ATU Sligo student Aaron Hayes, an apprentice from Bellinter, Co. Meath, who achieved remarkable national success after winning the Silver medal for first place in the Joinery competition at WorldSkills Ireland 2025, held recently at the RDS in Dublin.
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the award to ATU Sligo student Aaron Hayes.
The celebrations also acknowledged the contributions of Sligo-linked competitor Eoghan Tuttlebee from Bundoran, supported by employer Bryan Barber of Grange, Co. Sligo. ATU Sligo Lecturer and Worldskills Ireland joinery expert John Joe O’Reilly, praised the students exceptional skills, saying: “To reach the national final, the students first had to qualify through a 12-hour national preliminary round. Their skills, knowledge, work ethic, and craftsmanship shone through in the final, where they completed a 22-hour joinery project incorporating modern and traditional wood joints in a 3D test. All their hard work and training paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.”
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, presenting the award to Eoghan Tuttlebee from Bundoran, supported by employer Bryan Barber of Grange, Co. Sligo.
ATU Sligo Lecturer and WorldSkills Ireland Carpentry Expert Patrick McElwee expressed his pride in the competitors: “I couldn’t be any more proud of the competitors for their work rate and dedication, this year’s final test piece was challenging to say the least containing various types of incline, raking and crossing rafters which all had to be developed first testing the geometric ability of each competitor, it has been a great year for the college to have four competitors qualifying for the final in carpentry and to come away with the winner and three placed is extremely pleasing”
Padraig McGarry Head of Department of Engineering Technology at ATU Sligo added:
“I am very proud of the long tradition we have competing in the WorldSkills competition both nationally and internationally. It is a huge endorsement of the teaching and technical standards at ATU Sligo to produce three national champions in the same year, in the Skills of Electrical Installations, Carpentry and Joinery. Well done to all our contestants, we hope this will inspire all groups of apprentices coming through the college to reach for the stars.”
Students and staff from ATU Sligo.
Mulrooney’s national title adds to ATU Sligo’s growing reputation as a leading centre for carpentry and apprenticeship excellence, reinforcing the region’s continued contribution to Ireland’s skilled trades workforce.