Dundalk woman wins insurance title at apprenticeship awards
National recognition for Saoirse Holmes
Saoirse Holmes from Co 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 508 nominees nationwide. The award was presented at a ceremony in the RDS, Dublin, attended by more than 500 guests.
The Apprentice of the Year Insurance industry award recognizes Saoirse’s leadership, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills, with the National Apprentice of the Year Awards showcase recognising the vast contributions 31,000+ apprentices provide to industries and workplaces all across Ireland. Saoirse’s accolade highlights the strong apprentice talent and skills that is present in County Louth, and that is developing across Ireland.
Minister of State for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin, presented 17 awards, including the overall Apprentice of the Year award to Sapna Sian, a Manufacturing Technology apprentice with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care in Limerick.
Saoirse Holmes 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, as part of a great team who are helping me to build strong industry knowledge, develop the practical experience and confidence needed to success in the industry, 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.”
Minister Harkin added: “Apprentices are at the heart of Ireland’s skilled workforce. I 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.”
Deirdre Mc Donnell, CEO of SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland 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.”
Hazel Johnston, the 2023 National Apprentice of the Year and a graduate of the manufacturing engineering apprenticeship, was presented with a ‘2026 Facts, Faces, Futures Outstanding Ambassador’ Award, recognising her contribution to raising awareness of apprenticeship as a career pathway for women.”
Overseen by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, the National Apprentice of the Year Awards celebrates the finest talent across the apprenticeship system in Ireland who are building successful and rewarding career with apprenticeships.
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.