Quinn twins triumph at Young Scientist

Winners from Monaghan and Cavan

Monaghan twins Hannah and Caoimhe Quinn have once again claimed success by coming out top in their category at this year’s Stripe Young Scientist Exhibition in Dublin.

The Castleblayney College students follow up on their success from 2025 by winning the Senior Biological & Ecological category, as well as earning the nod to take home the prestigious Intellectual Property Owners of Ireland Special Award. The latter recognises projects that demonstrate excellent understanding and application of intellectual property (IP) principles.

Their project focused on the development of a cellulose-based sunscreen and UV protective lenses, paired with a mobile app designed to raise awareness about UV safety.

In a statement shared online, Castleblayney College expressed their pride: “A special thanks goes to Ms. Keith, whose passion, expertise, and support were crucial to Hannah and Caoimhe’s journey. Congratulations to both of them and to Ms. Keith on this incredible achievement—you inspire us all.”

The Stripe Young Scientist Exhibition, held at Dublin's RDS, welcomed students from across the country, with Cavan and Monaghan proudly represented by a total of 11 projects.

Nine came from Cavan, and two from Monaghan, showcasing the region’s strong commitment to nurturing young scientific talent.

But the Quinn twins weren’t the only ones to shine at this year's Young Scientist.

Lewis Mohan, a student at Breifne College in Cavan Town, earned an impressive third place in the combined Chemistry, Physics, and Maths category for his project.

Meanwhile, James O’Reilly and Eoin Slattery from St. Bricin’s College in Belturbet secured second place in the junior category with their project, The Grass Is Greener with Alpacas: Fertilizer Value, Application Methods, and Weed Seed.