Dundalk woman awarded top industry accolade at national apprentice awards
Dundalk native Saoirse Holmes awarded top industry accolade at National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026
Saoirse Holmes from Dundalk, Louth has won the Apprentice of the Year ‘Insurance’ industry award at Ireland’s National Apprentice of the Year Awards 2026 ceremony.
The 23-year-old, who is completing an Insurance Practitioner apprenticeship with Acorn Financial Services in River Lane, Dundalk was selected as just one of 17 award winners from a record number of 508 nominees nationwide.
The award was presented at a ceremony in the RDS, Dublin, attended by more than 500 guests.
Saoirse said: “I am delighted to receive this award, which is so unexpected, and thrilled to receive such a wonderful recognition so early into my apprenticeship journey.
“I am thoroughly enjoying earning and learning with the Insurance Practitioner apprenticeship at Acorn Financial Services and I would like to thank all of my amazing colleagues at Acorn Financial for the support.
“This recognition shows that apprentices can make a valuable contribution while they are still learning and developing their careers, and I am honoured to receive this award as I progress along my apprenticeship journey and career.”
The awards aims to recognise the contributions of over 31,000 apprentices across Ireland and Saoirse’s accolade highlights the strong apprentice talent and skills that are present in County Louth.
Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin TD presented 17 awards.
She said: “Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce. I wish to congratulate Saoirse Holmes on this incredible achievement, along with all 508 nominees.
“Their talent, commitment and skills are helping to shape Ireland’s future workforce.”
Overseen by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, the National Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrates talent across the apprenticeship system in Ireland.
Apprentices can be nominated by employers, training providers or anyone who knows an apprentice well. Nominees are judged on their skills and qualities in areas including leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.
Deirdre McDonnell, CEO of SOLAS said: “Apprenticeships provide a valuable pathway to rewarding careers and help employers develop the skills they need. Congratulations to Saoirse Holmes, all 17 award winners and every nominee on this well-deserved recognition.”
Find out more about the Apprentice of the Year Awards here.