Cork students to take on peers from across the globe robotics challenge

Kinsale Community School students are America bound to take part in the VEX Robotics World Championship in St Louis, Missouri.

In total, 14 students, four robots/teams and three teachers will represent the school at the global event, which will run from next Tuesday until Friday.

They will be among seven teams from Ireland to compete in the event, with Kinsale Community School representing more than half of the Irish qualifiers.

The Kinsale Community School students travelling are Joshua Smyth, Alex Smyth, Peter Leahy, Conor Galvin, Oscar Green, Grace Kelleher, Faiz Zakri, Dylan Sadler, Fintan Tuohy, Liam Riordan, Eoin Condon, Amelie Zerwes, Mara Siefert, and Aisling Lynch.

Competing

During the 2025/2026 VEX Robotics season, those at Kinsale school worked to develop their robots, programming and teamwork skills, spending many hours designing, testing and improving their machines, while competing in events across Ireland.

Since 2017, more 300 students have taken part in the robotics programme at the school, overseen by assistant principal Eddie Farren and TY coordinator Niamh Hay.

Over the years, the school has consistently achieved success at national level, winning Ireland’s Excellence Award and tournament champion titles across multiple seasons.

Many past students have gone on to pursue STEM related courses and careers, influenced by their experience in the robotics programme.

Once again, Kinsale Community School teams will be looking to perform strongly and compete for the top awards.

A school spokesperson said: “It has been a very positive season for the students, reflecting months of effort, teamwork and support from the wider school community as they prepare to represent their school and Ireland on the world stage.”