Local pupils recognised at national level for innovative tourism technology project, TrailTalk
Pupils from Cookstown Daniel Brownlee and Luke Johnston have achieved national recognition at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2026, winning the Aer Lingus Future Innovations Award for their innovative tourism and location-based technology project, TrailTalk. The award was presented at the RDS, Dublin, following one of the most competitive exhibitions in the event’s history.
About the Exhibition
Over 1,500 projects entered nationwide
550 finalists selected to exhibit
One of Ireland’s largest and most respected STEM and innovation showcases for young people
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About the Award
The Aer Lingus Future Innovations Award was a special category prize
It was the only award presented by Aer Lingus at the exhibition
Presented by Dave O’Donovan, Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, Aer Lingus
The award recognises projects with strong future-facing innovation, real-world relevance, and potential for impact.
About the Project – TrailTalk
TrailTalk is a mobile technology project that combines GPS, voice input, and artificial intelligence to allow users to capture, share, and discover real-world experiences linked to specific locations. Instead of relying on generic reviews, TrailTalk enables people to search for places based on how they want to feel — such as peaceful, scenic, or inspiring — using AI-driven analysis of spoken descriptions recorded on location.
The project was developed over approximately 16 months and reflects a strong blend of:
-digital skills
-innovation and problem-solving
-enterprise and entrepreneurship
-user-centred design
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Educational and Community Impact
The success of TrailTalk highlights the growing role of young innovators in Northern Ireland and the importance of partnerships between schools, industry, and local enterprise in developing future digital and entrepreneurial skills.
“This achievement reflects not only the technical quality of the project, but the confidence, creativity, and ambition of the pupils involved. TrailTalk shows what is possible when young people are given the opportunity to build real solutions to real problems.”
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