Dundalk IT celebrates double success at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

Charlie Ward, who won a Bronze Medal in Cookery pictured with his mentor Alan McCabe | Supplied

placeholder image — Charlie Ward, who won a Bronze Medal in Cookery pictured with his mentor Alan McCabe | Supplied

Two Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) trained competitors win medals on the world stage at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 as Ireland returns with Bronze and seven Medals of Excellence

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) is celebrating an outstanding double achievement at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, with two competitors trained at the Institute returning with medals from one of the world's most prestigious skills competitions.

Charlie Ward (22), from Limerick, secured a Bronze Medal in Cookery - the highest individual result for Team Ireland - and was also named Ireland's Best of Nation, recognising the competitor whose performance best reflected excellence across the entire Irish team. James Hunt (22), from Virginia, Co. Cavan, claimed a Medal of Excellence in Electrical Installations.

Charlie was mentored by Alan Mc Cabe, Programme Director of Culinary Arts at DkIT, while James was trained by Gerard Galligan, Acting Head of the Department of Engineering Trades.

Both competed as part of Team Ireland at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, which brought together more than 1,400 young skilled professionals from 68 countries and regions across 64 skill competitions.

Alan Mc Cabe, Programme Director of Culinary Arts, said: "Charlie's Bronze Medal and Best of Nation recognition speaks for itself.

James Hunt, who won a Medal of Excellence in Electrical Installations, pictured with his mentor Gerard Galligan and Sean McLoughlin, WorldSkills Electrical Installations Lyon competitor in 2024 | Supplied

“His dedication over many months of preparation was extraordinary, and to be recognised as Ireland's standout performer on the world stage is something very special."

Gerard Galligan, Acting Head of the Department of Engineering Trades, said: "James is a credit to himself and to the trade. To compete at this level, against the best in the world, and to come away with a Medal of Excellence is a remarkable achievement. I am incredibly proud of everything he has put into this."

DkIT President, Dr. Diarmuid O'Callaghan, added: "To have two of our staff training two of Ireland's top performers at WorldSkills Shanghai is a testament to the quality of education, mentorship and training that DkIT provides.

“We are enormously proud of Charlie, James, Alan and Gerard, and of what this result says about the standard of further education and training at this Institute."

WorldSkills is the world's leading vocational education and skills excellence competition, held every two years and drawing competitors from across the globe.

Medals are awarded to the highest-scoring competitors in each skill, with Medals of Excellence recognising those who achieve world-class standards.