Following in the Collison brothers' footsteps: Limerick students earn their stripes

LAST week’s 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition once again highlighted the extraordinary talent being nurtured in classrooms across Limerick city, county and beyond.

Over four inspiring days, young innovators showcased projects that tackled real-world problems.

Limerick’s connection to the exhibition runs deep. The story of the Collison brothers, former Castletroy College students, remains one of its proudest chapters.

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Patrick Collison won the overall prize in 2005 for developing a new programming language, while his brother, John, also earned a category award. Two decades on, the siblings returned this year not as competitors, but as the new title sponsors through their programmable financial services company, Stripe - now a multi-billion dollar global success.

Stripe also partnered with Croom Medical to manufacture the trophies for this year's competition.

The Collison brothers are proof of what can grow from a spark of teenage curiosity. 

Seán O’Sullivan of Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom claimed top honours in 2024, and this year Limerick students once again excelled.

Thirty-three projects from 11 local schools qualified for the exhibition, with seven awards coming back to the county.

Coláiste Chiaráin, and Desmond College in Newcastle West shared those honours, with projects that ranged from predicting electricity outages and asthma attacks to developing potential treatments for bed bugs.

Behind every project are long evenings, sacrificed weekends and supportive teachers and families. These achievements are hard-earned.

Patrick Collison’s words to this year’s finalists included: “Hone your curiosity and figure out what it is that compels you.”

Clearly, many Limerick students are doing just that and their curiosity and creativity will no doubt help shape the world of tomorrow.