Limerick University students secure a place on 2026 Washington Ireland Programme

Limerick University students secure a place on 2026 Washington Ireland Programme. Niall Mahon, pictured left (via MIC Instagram), and Eoin Griffin, pictured right (via Linkedin).

Mary Immaculate College’s Niall Mahon and University of Limerick’s Eoin Griffin have been awarded places on the prestigious Washington Ireland Programme Emerging Leaders Class for 2026

Two Limerick students have been recognised on the international stage by earning a place on the Washington Ireland Programme (WIP) Emerging Leaders Class of 2026.

Niall Mahon, a fourth-year Bachelor of Education and Psychology student at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), and Eoin Griffin, a Financial Mathematics student at University of Limerick, have received the honour of joining the programme, which supports and develops future leaders in community and public service.

Each year, WIP select courageous and committed Higher Education students, and both young and experienced community leaders to take part in their leadership and skills development programmes. The group say, “We seek People who are committed to using their skills to serve others and foster reconciliation across the island of Ireland. We currently offer two Leadership programmes, as well as a range of high-profile events and Discussions for our alums and partners.”

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Niall has already demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement having taken part in the National Citizens’ Parliament as part of the MeDeMAP project, where he represented the group in Brussels. During the visit, he delivered a presentation to the European Union on January 13, highlighting key issues and perspectives from the initiative.

The students’ selection in the Washington Ireland Programme places them among emerging leaders recognised for their potential to make a positive impact in their communities, with both chosen from a pool of some 500 candidates.

United States Member of Congress Rep. Tim Kennedy, and Northern Ireland’s deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly announced the WIP Emerging Leaders Class of 2026 and the WIP Academy Class of 2026 at a special event at the University of Notre Dame’s Washington, DC office on Monday, March 16.Rep.

Tim Kennedy said at the announcement, “The Washington Ireland Program continues to drive forward peace and reconciliation across Ireland, equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills and connections to make a positive lasting impact on society. Our nation takes great pride in our collective contribution to the peace process in Ireland, and initiatives like the Washington Ireland Program build on what has been achieved. I commend this program’s dedication to lasting peace in the region.”

 Nicola Skelly, Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Programme, said, “What makes WIP special is not just what happens during the leadership programs, but also the connections and collaborations that last a lifetime. The bonds these young leaders forge with one another, along with connections to over 1,000 WIP Alumni, become the catalyst for their lifelong leadership. We are proud to support these new cohorts as they begin that journey.”