{"id":164853,"date":"2025-11-28T20:38:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T20:38:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/164853\/"},"modified":"2025-11-28T20:38:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T20:38:13","slug":"phenomenal-win-for-laois-as-midlands-ireland-celebrated-at-national-stem-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/164853\/","title":{"rendered":"Phenomenal win for Laois as Midlands Ireland celebrated at national STEM awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Midlands Ireland’s<\/a> excellent work with STEM engagement in the region was recognised at two national awards ceremonies on Thursday, 27 November.<\/p>\n

Midlands Ireland, led by Laois County Council in collaboration with Longford County Council, Offaly County Council and Westmeath County Council, was named as a winner at this year\u2019s Excellence in Local Government Awards which celebrated outstanding projects delivered in 2025.<\/p>\n

These awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland and sponsored by the\u00a0Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, honour the exceptional work carried out by Local Authorities across the country.<\/p>\n

Midlands Ireland was the winner of the Local Authority Innovation category for the Driving STEM in the Midlands Initiative.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0<\/p>\n

(L-R) Ian Talbot, Siobh\u00e1n Grealy, Former\u00a0T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney, Christine Collins, Kieran O\u2019Donnell TD, Cllr Barry Walsh, Antoinette Brennan, Tom\u00e1s Mulcahy, Kelley Keogh, Angela McEvoy, Seanie Morris, and Ray Bell at the\u00a0Excellence in Local Government Awards (Photo courtesy of Chambers Ireland)<\/p>\n

Laois County Council\u00a0was also shortlisted on the night in the following categories: Climate Change for Portlaoise: Ireland\u2019s First Low Carbon Town; Health & Wellbeing for the Live Well Health and Wellbeing Expo; Local Authority Innovation for MyPay\u2019s Robotic Process Automation – Superannuation Starters Project; and the Municipal District Initiative for Refurbishment of the People\u2019s Park, Portarlington.<\/p>\n

READ NEXT:\u00a0Touching: Laois village to hold concert fundraiser for Roscrea business destroyed by fire<\/a><\/p>\n

Midlands Ireland were also recognised earlier in the day at the\u00a0#OurEUStory Awards by Access Europe.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0#OurEUStory competition required entries to be based on a video presentation. In their presentation, Midlands Ireland\u00a0highlighted how their EU funded project, ‘Driving STEM in the Midlands’, has benefitted communities in the Midlands in promoting STEM participation and retention for a sustainable future in technology and digitalisation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(L-R) Seanie Morris, Antoinette Brennan, Kelley Keogh, Cllr Barry Walsh, and Christine Collins at the #OurEUStory awards<\/p>\n

The work of Laois County Council’s STEM Engagement Officer Seanie Morris was highlighted in the video, as well as\u00a0Siobh\u00e1n Grealy of Longford County Council, Dean Hodge from Offaly County Council, and Westmeath County Council’s Kelly Keogh.<\/p>\n

Seanie Morris also gave in-depth presentation on how Midlands Ireland was actively promoting STEM engagement in Laois at the November meeting of Laois County Council. In that presentation, he spoke about the phenomenal increase in the numbers of Laois children participating in STEM programmes and potential future initiatives involving older people in the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Their video was awarded second place in the #OurEUStory competition for excellence in\u00a0communicating the impact of EU funding on Midlands Ireland and its community.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the success of Midlands Ireland at the awards,\u00a0Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Barry Walsh said: \u201cThe recognition Midlands Ireland has received is a proud moment for Laois County Council. It demonstrates the strength of our vision and the dedication of our teams to deliver projects that not only meet local needs but set a benchmark for excellence nationally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adding to this,\u00a0Angela McEvoy, Director of Services at Laois County Council, said: \u201cThis recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the Midlands. We are proud to play a role in creating opportunities that inspire young people to pursue STEM pathways and make STEM accessible and exciting for all. I\u2019d like to thank our fantastic STEM Engagement Officers and the teams in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath for their dedication in inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.\u201d<\/p>\n

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