BT Young Scientist winner named as Limerick's St Patrick's Day parade grand marshal

LIMERICK student Seán O’Sullivan, who won the top prize at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has been named as this year’s grand marshal of the city’s St Patrick’s Day parade.

The 17 year old is a 5th year student at Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom, where his father Ger O’Sullivan is school principal. Seán’s project explored the development of a new artificial intelligence (AI) detection system that uses past examples of an author's writing to detect if AI was used to generate a piece of work.

The theme of this year’s Limerick St Patrick’s Festival is ‘Limerick: A Different Kind of Energy’, encapsulating the city and county’s constant evolution, where past and present combine to generate Limerick’s unique energy.

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell says Seán is an ideal choice to lead out Limerick’s main St Patrick’s Day parade.

“Seán’s win at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition gave the whole county a much-needed lift in January and I’m delighted that Limerick will be able to collectively celebrate his achievement on St Patrick’s Day.

AI is currently dominating the conversation in the technology sphere but there is certainly nothing artificial about Seán’s intelligence. He is a change maker and the personification of the different kind of energy that sets Limerick apart. I look forward to meeting this impressive young man on the parade route on March 17,” Mayor Mitchell said.

Seán says he felt honoured by the invitation to be Limerick’s grand marshal.

“It's going to take a while for me to process this, but I'm honoured. I've been to the St Patrick's Day Festival many times and it's a celebration of everything that is Irish and I am forever grateful to be given this opportunity. While I'm going to be there representing as the BT Young Scientist of 2024, this will be so much more than myself. It’s my parents, it's the school that has nurtured this, it's a combination of everything up until this moment and I think that if anything, it will be a celebration of science in Ireland.”

Coláiste Chiaráin secured a number of wins at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2024, including Best School in the Republic of Ireland.

“I believe that the publicity that it has given is incredible. It's highlighting everything that we champion as a school. Excellence in STEM, communication skills and just, embracing whatever a student has to offer,” said Seán.

Among the festival highlights are the traditional St Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 17, and the 52nd Limerick International Band Championship on Monday, 18 March.

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Both parades will follow the same route as 2023, making their way down O’Connell Street before moving on to Henry Street and ending at Arthur’s Quay Park.

A musical Jamboree at Arthur’s Quay Park following the International Band Championship parade is free to attend.

Additional fringe events surrounding the parade and championship will be announced in the weeks to come.