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DCU student from Lissivigeen helps develop Ireland’s first solar-powered racing car

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The unveiling event took place at the Stokes Building on DCU’s Glasnevin campus, where supporters, alumni, and staff from the university’s five faculties gathered to celebrate the team’s success.

DCU Solar Racing has proudly unveiled Ireland’s first-ever solar-powered racing car, designed and built by an interdisciplinary team of students from Dublin City University (DCU). Among them is Killarney student Rian Gill, the son of Joan and Pat, who played a pivotal role as a systems engineer and head of manufacturing for the project.

Rian's responsibilities included overseeing the development of the car and coordinating project tasks to ensure the 30-member student team worked efficiently.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser this week, the third-year engineering student shared: “As the head of manufacturing, I acted like an operations manager. My job was to lead the manufacturing team and ensure we operated as efficiently as possible. It has been an incredible experience so far. The team consists entirely of students, so to have developed a full-scale prototype that is now ready for production is a huge achievement for everyone involved.”

This accomplishment represents a significant milestone in the team's preparations for the prestigious Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2025. The solar-powered car will face the ultimate test in a 3,000-kilometre race across the Australian outback.

The unveiling event took place at the Stokes Building on DCU’s Glasnevin campus, where supporters, alumni, and staff from the university’s five faculties gathered to celebrate the team’s success. Attendees heard from the students involved in the design and construction of the solar car, as well as from the team members who will drive it in the grueling race from Darwin to Adelaide.

The unveiling event took place at the Stokes Building on DCU’s Glasnevin campus, where supporters, alumni, and staff from the university’s five faculties gathered to celebrate the team’s success.

“The next step is to fully manufacture the car by April, so we can ship it to Australia in August, in time for the event,” Rian explained. “The race itself will pose its own challenges, especially with the intense heat. There won’t be any air-conditioning, as it would add too much weight, so nine of us from the project will take turns driving the car over the distance. I’m hoping to be one of them. The car’s interior could reach temperatures of up to 47 degrees Celsius, so it will be tough, but I’m sure it will be an amazing experience.” The former St. Brendan’s College student added.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is one of the world’s most demanding innovation and engineering competitions, focusing on green technology, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility. It serves as a platform for some of the brightest young minds globally to tackle the urgent need for sustainable transport solutions. The race features three distinct classes, each representing different design philosophies and the diversity of energy-efficient vehicles in today’s market.

The students have already raised over €125,000 to support the development of the car and they are very much open to talking to other businesses who might be interested in supporting the project. For more information you can email info@solarracing.ie

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Angland family celebrate Munster Fleadh triumph

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Angland family celebrate Munster Fleadh triumph


Glenflesk CCE and the local traditional music community are celebrating a major haul of silverware following the Angland family’s outstanding performances at the Munster Fleadh Cheoil in Lismore, County Waterford.


Siblings Colleen, Olivia, Seán, and Grace Angland earned a impressive collection of provincial titles, podium finishes, and All-Ireland qualification spots across multiple music, singing, and dancing disciplines.
Seán Angland delivered a stellar run in the 12-15 category, taking first place in the Melodeon alongside second-place finishes in Piano, Accompaniment, and Mouth Organ. He also secured second place in both the Duet and Trio competitions alongside his sister Olivia and Aoife Hobbert of Lixnaw CCE.
Olivia Angland added to the family success with third-place finishes in both the 12-15 Fiddle and Lilting competitions. She also excelled on the dance floor, winning first place in the 12-15 Mixed Set Dance and third in the Ladies Set Dance with Killarney CCE.
In the 15-18 age group, Colleen Angland secured double silver with second-place finishes in both the Flute Slow Airs and Whistle Slow Airs. Colleen, Olivia, and Seán also joined forces as members of the Cork-based Baile Átha an Spidéil Grúpaí Ceoil (15-18) to take third place in a competitive field.
Meanwhile, Grace Angland earned second place with the An Ríocht Senior Grúpaí Ceoil. The achievement sees Grace return to the All-Ireland stage in Belfast, following her national title win in Senior Piano at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann last year.

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Local musicians and dancers head for Belfast All-Ireland Fleadh

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Local musicians and dancers head for Belfast All-Ireland Fleadh

Musicians, singers, and dancers from both the Killarney and Kilcummin branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are heading to Belfast this weekend for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann following major success at the Munster Fleadh in Lismore, County Waterford.


The All-Ireland competition runs from August 2 to August 9, with competitors from across the two local parishes travelling north to compete on the national stage.
Kilcummin CCÉ enjoyed an outstanding provincial tournament across music, language, and dancing. Eoin Foley claimed a Munster title in the 15 to 18 Button Accordion, while Micheál Healy took gold in the Over 18 Melodeon alongside a third-place finish in the button accordion. Brynn McCarthy secured her spot in Belfast after qualifying in Comhrá Gaeilge for 9 to 11 age group, while also picking up third place in Under 12 English Singing.
Dancers from the Moriarty School of Dancing dominated the set dancing competitions in Lismore, winning five Munster titles across Under 12 Ladies, Under 12 Mixed, Under 18 Ladies, Over 18 Mixed, and Over 35 Ladies. These five sets now join four previously qualified Kilcummin sets—the Over 18 Mixed, Ladies, and Half sets, along with the Over 35 Mixed—bringing a total of nine set dancing teams from the parish to the Belfast finals under trainers Adrian, John, and Mary Moriarty.
Killarney CCÉ members also celebrated a highly successful provincial championship, securing a haul of Munster titles and top-three qualification spots across various music, singing, dancing, and Irish language categories.

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