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International Linguistics Olympiad

The four top students in the individual category of the All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) are selected to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad.

To see some IOL Puzzles click here.

The International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) sees talented young decoders from more than 30 countries and territories pit their wits against each other in the hope of becoming world champions. The week-long Olympiad comprises individual and team contests and students enjoy an active programme of social and cultural events.

IOL 2023

The 4 members of the Irish team who will represent Ireland at the 20th anniversary IOL in Bansko, Bulgaria are:
  • Naoise Sheridan Tullamore College,Offaly
  • Finn Wallace CBC Monkstown, Dublin
  • Paddy Clancy St Vincent’s Castleknock, Dublin
  • Megan Boland Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Tipperary

Finn Wallace CBC Monkstown

IOL 2022

The 4 members of the Irish team who represented Ireland in for July 2022 in the Isle of Man were:
  • Eoin Boushel Belvedere College, Dublin
  • Finn Wallace CBC Monkstown, Dublin
  • Justin Cunningham Patrician Secondary School, Kildare
  • Arthur McKeever Methodist College Belfast, Antrim

Ireland achieved an Honourable Mention at IOL 2022 (https://ioling.org/results/IRL)

IOL 2021

IOL 2021 took place online remotely (from Ventspils in Latvia).

This year, the 4 members of the team proudly representing Ireland remotely from Dublin City University in July were:

  • Justin Cunningham, Patrician Secondary School
  • Oscar Despard, Sandford Park School
  • Natalia Timulakova, Holy Faith Clontarf
  • David Wright, Lucan Community College

Ireland achieved a Bronze Medal and Honourable Mention at IOL 2021 (https://ioling.org/results/IRL)

IOL 2020, due to be held in Latvia, was postponed due the pandemic.

The 4 members of the team who had qualified but did not get to attend an IOL were:

  • Zara Watson,Methodist College Belfast
  • Oisín Dilger, Coláiste an Eachréidh, Athenry, Galway
  • Dmitri Salyshka, Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, Limerick
  • Justin Cunningham, Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Kildare

IOL 2019

rep of korea flag

IOL 2019 took place in Yongin, South Korea 29th July – 2nd August 2019.

This year, the 4 members of the team proudly representing Ireland in Korea in July were:

  • Laura Cosgrave, Midleton College Cork
  • Keelan James Daye,  Sandford Park Dublin
  • Flynn Ryan Rathmore, Grammar School Belfast
  • Páidí Walsh, Ballybay Community College Monaghan
“When I entered the Linguistics Olympiad, I never dreamed that I’d make it to the international round in China, but I’m so thankful that I did. The problems themselves were engaging and challenging, and I hugely enjoyed myself. It’s been a life-changing experience, and I’ve met people I hope to remain great friends with!”Jane D’Altuin, Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai, Kerry
“This competition has granted me an amazing opportunity to represent my country, and has really improved my problem-solving skills. After the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) 2013 in Manchester last year, I spent months dreaming about Beijing and IOL 2014. To get the chance to do this all over again was simply unbelievable.”Daniel Herlihy, Douglas Community School, Cork

IOL 2018

czech flag1

IOL 2018 took place in Prague, Czechia from 26th to 30th July 2018.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Leo Doherty, Lumen Christi (Derry)
  • Eimear Kyle, St Finian’s College (Mullingar, Westmeath)
  • Lucy Dornan, St. Andrew’s College (Blackrock, Dublin)
  • Daniel Quigley, Belfast Royal Academy (Belfast, Antrim)
  • Philip Krause, Ashton School (Blackrock Cork)

IOL 2017

IOL 2017 took place in Dublin, Ireland from 31st July to 4th August.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Philip Krause, Ashton Blackrock Cork
  • Eimear Kyle, St Finian’s College, Mullingar
  • Marco Stango, Newtown School Waterford
  • Tom McAlinden, Aquinas Grammar, Belfast, Co Antrim
  • Padraig Sheehy, Gonzaga College SJ, Dublin
  • Tristan I’Anson-Sparks, Methodist College Belfast
  • Cian O’Hara, Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole Dublin
  • Daniel Quigley, Belfast Royal Academy, Belfast

IOL 2016

IOL 2016 took place in Mysore, India from 25-29 July 2016.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Claire O’Connor, St Louis’ High School, Rathmines, Dublin
  • Dónal Farren, St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
  • Pádraig Sheehy, Gonzaga College, Dublin
  • Richard Neville, St Andrew’s College, Booterstown, Dublin

Ireland achieved a Bronze Medal and two Honourable Mentions at IOL 2016 (https://ioling.org/results/IRL)

IOL 2015

IOL 2015 took place in Bulgaria from 20-24 July 2015.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Luke Gardiner, Gonzaga College, Dublin
  • Shmuel Barron, Sutton Park School, Dublin
  • Ethan Hamman, Newpark Comprehensive, Dublin
  • Niamh Lynch, Loreto College Letterkenny, Donegal

Ireland achieved a Bronze Medal at  IOL 2015 (https://ioling.org/results/IRL)

IOL 2014

IOL 2014 took place at the Beijing Language and Culture University in Beijing, China in July 2014.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Luke Gardiner, Gonzaga College, Dublin
  • Matthew Nixon, Aquinas Grammar School, Co. Antrim
  • Jane D’Altuin, Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí, Co. Kerry
  • Daniel Herlihy, Douglas Community School, Cork

Ireland achieved an Honourable Mention at IOL 2014 (https://ioling.org/results/IRL)

IOL 2013

IOL 2013 took place in Manchester, England in July 2013.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Matthew O’Dwyer, Gonzaga College, Dublin
  • Daniel Herlihy, Douglas Community School, Cork
  • Eleanor McSweeney, St. Joseph of Cluny, Dublin
  • Imogen Grumley Traynor, St.Kilian’s Deutsche Schule Dublin

IOL 2012

IOL 2012 took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia in July 2012.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Dale Walmsley, Wellington College Belfast
  • Aidan Marnane, St. Francis College Cork
  • Diarmaid Wingfield, Newtown School Waterford
  • Imogen Grumley Traynor, St.Kilian’s Deutsche Schule Dublin

IOL 2011

IOL 2011 was hosted by the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA in July 2011.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Medhb Campbell, Methodist College, Belfast
  • Declan Manning, Ballincollig Community School, Cork
  • Niamh Dhondt, Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny
  • Alec Fair, Methodist College, Belfast

Ireland achieved an Honourable Mention at IOL 2011 (https://ioling.org/results/IRL)

IOL 2010

IOL 2010 took place in Sweden.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Emma Carrigan, Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Dublin
  • Imogen Grumley-Traynor, St Kilian’s Deutsche Schule, Dublin
  • Cormac Manning, Ballincollig Community School, Cork
  • Ellie Cameron, Antrim Grammar School

IOL 2009

Ireland first competed at IOL 2009, when the competition was held in Wrocław, Poland.

Representing Ireland were:

  • Kieran Fleming, St Caimin’s Community School, Shannon, Co Clare
  • Ruadhan Treacy, Newtown School, Waterford
  • Stephen Ennis, Newtown School, Waterford
  • Aislinn McGuire, Mount Temple School, Dublin

Ireland achieved an Honourable Mention at IOL 2009 (https://ioling.org/results/IRL)

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