*Eoin Dalton, 22, from Lahinch, Co. Clare
Lahinch man Eoin Dalton is set to represent Ireland on the world stage this month after being selected to compete at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, often referred to as the ‘Skills Olympics’.
The 22-year-old cabinet maker is one of 16 young Irish competitors selected to represent Team Ireland at the international competition, which takes place in Shanghai from September 22 to 27.
More than 1,400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions will compete across 64 different skill areas at the event.
Eoin, who will compete in the Cabinet Making category, will first be among the Irish talent showcased at WorldSkills Ireland 2026, which takes place at RDS Simmonscourt from September 16 to 18. The event will feature live national competition finals alongside interactive Try-A-Skill areas, career and educator zones and talks.
Speaking on the benefits of the WorldSkills competition, Eoin said: “Representing Ireland as its best young cabinet maker will hopefully get me a lot of leverage in the job market. I hope to get a job in a high end workshop after competing. The skills of organisation, time management and quality management will also stick by me for the rest of my career”.
Eoin’s passion for woodworking began at home, where he transformed a shed into a workshop as a teenager, before pursuing the skill professionally and competing internationally in Taiwan.
For Eoin and those competing in Shanghai, the journey began long before stepping onto the international stage, with competitors undertaking intensive preparation and honing their skills against some of the best young talent in Ireland.
Ray English, Chair of WorldSkills Ireland, said: “Skills and apprenticeships are fundamental to Ireland’s future. They power our economy, strengthen industry and open doors to rewarding careers. WorldSkills Ireland shows young people that practical and technical skills are not a second choice, they are a first-choice route to success”.
With WorldSkills Ireland taking place just days before the international competition, visitors to the RDS will have the opportunity to see Ireland’s future skilled workforce in action and discover different career pathways.
Michael Hourihan, WorldSkills Ireland Technical Delegate, said: “The event at the RDS showcases that the future can be very bright for those that choose the apprenticeship route to education and gainful employment”.
Detailed competition preparations will continue before Eoin travels to Shanghai later this month, where he will compete against young cabinet makers from around the world.
