Mayo student to represent Ireland on the world stage in Shanghai
Westport’s Orlaith McGeough is preparing to represent Ireland on the world stage this September as she travels to China to compete at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
The 21-year-old TU Dublin student will wear the Irish harp as Ireland’s representative in Logistics and Freight Forwarding, competing against the very best young talent from across the globe at one of the world’s largest and most prestigious international skills competitions.
Orlaith will be one of just 16 competitors representing Ireland in Shanghai.
More than 1,400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions will compete across 64 different skills.
The scale of WorldSkills has previously been summed up by Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, who described it as “the Olympics for vocational, technological, and service-oriented skills.”
Orlaith will depart Ireland with Team Ireland on September 18, ahead of the Opening Ceremony and Parade of Nations on September 22.
Four days of competition will take place from September 23 to 26, before the Closing Ceremony on September 27, where the results will be announced and medals awarded.
After competing at national level, Orlaith won the WorldSkills Ireland Logistics and Freight Forwarding competition, beginning the pathway that would ultimately see her selected to represent Ireland internationally.
“When I first got involved in WorldSkills, I don't think I fully understood where it could take me. To go from competing in Ireland to now preparing to wear the Irish harp and represent my country on the world stage in Shanghai is something that’s very hard to put into words.”
Orlaith’s preparation has taken her beyond the lecture hall and into industry, with experience across Irish Rail and a multinational company, alongside opportunities to learn from professionals throughout the freight forwarding, transport and supply chain sectors.
“The journey to Shanghai has involved months of training, industry experience, challenges and opportunities that I never could have imagined. I’ve had the chance to learn from some amazing people along the way, develop my skills and push myself further than ever before.”
At WorldSkills Shanghai, that preparation will be put to the test, with competitors required to demonstrate technical knowledge, accuracy, organisation, decision-making and the ability to solve complex problems under intense time pressure.
Receiving the official Team Ireland harp she will wear in Shanghai was one moment that made the experience feel particularly real.
Being part of Team Ireland has also become one of the most special parts of the journey.
“Over the last few months, I’ve watched every person on this team put so much of themselves into their skill.
"We all compete in completely different areas, but the determination, pressure, long hours and drive to represent Ireland as best we can is something we all share. I couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside them in Shanghai.”
The Shanghai competition carries additional significance, with 2026 marking 70 years since Ireland joined WorldSkills International.
Ireland joined the WorldSkills movement in 1956 and sent its first competitors to the international competition the following year.
Since then, 732 competitors have represented Team Ireland, bringing home 63 gold, 53 silver and 80 bronze medals, as well as 174 Diplomas and Medallions of Excellence.
This September, Orlaith and her 15 fellow competitors will become the latest generation to wear the Irish harp on the international stage.
As she prepares to leave for Shanghai, Orlaith is also keen to acknowledge those who have helped her reach this point.
“I definitely wouldn’t have got here on my own. I’m incredibly grateful to my WorldSkills expert and mentor, Megan Yeates, who has been brilliant throughout my training and has put so much time and effort into helping me prepare for Shanghai.”
“I’m also so thankful to everyone involved with WorldSkills Ireland, and to all the people who have mentored and supported me at different stages of my life, whether that was on the football pitch, during my years in Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh, or now in TU Dublin.
"Most of all, I’m incredibly grateful to my family. Their support has been constant throughout this journey and having them behind me as I head to Shanghai means more than I can put into words.”
With the final weeks of preparation underway, Orlaith’s attention is now firmly on the challenge ahead.
“My focus now is on one final push before Shanghai. I want to go out there, take in every part of the experience and give absolutely everything I have. Whatever happens, being able to say that I represented Ireland at WorldSkills is something I’ll always be proud of.”
Seventy years after Ireland first joined the WorldSkills movement, another generation of Irish competitors is preparing to take its place on the international stage.
From Mayo to Shanghai, Orlaith McGeough will carry the Irish harp and plenty of Mayo pride with her to China.