Tipperary flair takes centre stage in Limerick

A Tipperary student was crowned Enterprise Ireland Product Design Student Entrepreneur in Limerick this week.

University of Limerick's (UL) Design@UL 2017 exhibition opened on Tuesday (May 23) in Limerick city centre, bringing together a culmination of the year’s work from the graduating students of architecture, product design and technology education.

Amongst them was Nenagh’s Shane Cody who was acclaimed for developing MANTA, a hydrofoil water exploration vessel designed to provide safe and easy access to inland waterways. Its hybrid pedal and battery propulsion system affords users performance, efficiency and comfort.

Nenagh's Shane Cody.

The work on display shows how students can develop solutions that address real needs, explore new technologies and potential futures, question perceptions and ultimately improve everyday experiences.

Opening the exhibition, UL president Dr. Des Fitzgerald paid tribute to all those involved. “The diversity of product design, architecture and technology project themes brings primary research to the fore, investigating complex problems and developing innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to change our user experience paradigms.

Tipperary's Maeve Curley.

“These range from water rescue devices, assistive systems for people with visual impairment, to mapping and display systems for firefighters, and even a product to improve your golf swing. The hard work and innovative thinking of the students is clearly evident in the work on display”.

This year’s Design@UL is the first showcase of work under the new School of Design at UL. It demonstrates what can be achieved through interdisciplinary collaboration, and offers a vision of change for design education and research in Ireland.

Nenagh's Kieran Larkin.

The exhibition is open to the public in the former Helene Modes building at 10 Roches Street, Limerick, from 10am to 4pm daily until June 2.