Donal Enright, Desmond College, Newcastle West, Co Limerick

He biggest impact that Donal has had is in my personal life. Donal has been a guiding light for all of my endeavors, and inspired me to take a dedicated stance on humanitarian work.

Our Teachers Inspire Gala is less than a week away and today, we tell the story of teacher Donal Enright, from Desmond College, Newcastle West, Co Limerick.

Donal was nominated by former student Jack O’Connor who went on to found Moyo Nua, a student-led initiative towards creating a collaborative eco-system.

In his nomination Jack references Donal's business acumen and never ending support and guidance.

“Donal Enright has been one of the most influential people in my professional and personal life.

“Donal was my teacher from my time in Desmond College in Limerick, where he provided me the platform to develop as a student, businessperson, and as a human being.

"My initial experience with Donal was through the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, where he provides unconditional tutelage and support for every project that enters our school.

“Donal has been involved with the Young Scientist since 2005, and over that time he has led a countless number of projects into the Exhibition; winning 3 Educator of Excellence awards from BT in the process.

“He encouraged me to pursue an agtech project for use in sub-Saharan Africa for the Young Scientist competition. His motivation and support allowed me and my colleague to design a handheld seed planter, which eliminated the need for bending over during the planting process of smallholder farming.

“Donal spent countless hours outside of the standard school-time to work with us in research and development, which ultimately led us to create a project that won the Self Help Africa Science for Development Award, sponsored by Irish Aid.

“His mentoring did not stop there, however, as he worked diligently in ensuring we received a patent for our innovative design (Patent number S86874) and worked with me for my entry into the BT Business Bootcamp, a competition that I was fortunate to win.

“Donal's relentless support and guidance inspired me to be the first person in my family of six to attend university, as a student in UL studying International Business.

“However, the biggest impact that Donal has had is in my personal life. Donal has been a guiding light for all of my endeavors, and inspired me to take a dedicated stance on humanitarian work. I have been fortunate enough to graduate from a DEIS school and progress into a position where I can make a truly positive impact on the international humanitarian side of business, as the incoming United Nations Youth Delegate for Ireland.

“I have the good fortune of knowing Donal as a teacher, mentor, but most importantly as a friend. To this day, I come to him with any problem, query, suggestion, or idea that I may have; and am always met with positivity, practicality and an openness to new ways of thinking.

“I would highly commend Donal for this award, along with every other piece of recognition that he has rightfully earned to date, and will rightfully earn in future.”

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