Episode 3 of Kinia ag Caint covers Ireland's historic first H2 Grand Prix Pro National Final, held on April 23rd at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin. Five teams of young people from across Ireland — including Cherry Orchard, Macroom, two Midlands schools, and Donabate Library,  competed in a 3.5-hour hydrogen-powered model car endurance race. The Handbreakers from Cherry Orchard Youth Service won, earning a place at the H2GP World Final in Switzerland.

Kinea CEO Marianne Checkley reflects on the event's significance for inclusion and community empowerment. A wide-ranging conversation with Ben Giordano (Horizon Educational) and Meadhbh Whelan (Department of Transport) covers hydrogen technology, the future of renewable energy careers, Ireland's alternative fuels infrastructure policy, and the importance of hands-on STEM learning. Both guests share personal reflections on learning and career paths. The episode closes with enthusiastic vox pops from students and educators at the event.

Things We Spoke About

• Ireland’s first H2GP Pro National Final
• Hydrogen-powered vehicle technology
• Renewable energy and sustainability
• Future careers in clean energy
• STEM education and inclusion
• Learning through hands-on experiences
• Teamwork, creativity, and resilience
• Youth opportunity and community engagement
• The future of hydrogen in Ireland

Guest Details

Marianne Checkley

Marianne Checkley is CEO of Kinia, an education-focused social enterprise working to create more inclusive pathways into learning, technology, and opportunity for young people across Ireland. With a background in education and social impact, she is passionate about creative learning, digital inclusion, and ensuring no young person is left behind.

Ben Giordano

Ben Giordano works with Horizon Educational, the organisation behind the global H2 Grand Prix competition. His work focuses on STEM education, renewable energy engagement, and creating hands-on learning experiences that connect young people with future careers in sustainability, engineering, and clean technology.

Meadhbh Whelan

Meadhbh Whelan is an Assistant Principal in the Irish Civil Service with experience leading climate governance, transport decarbonisation policy and EU regulatory implementation. I work at the intersection of climate action, energy security, infrastructure delivery and nature restoration, with a strong focus on evidence‑based policy, cross‑government coordination and delivery under statutory and EU frameworks. Meadbh currently works in the Department of Transport, where she leads and coordinates delivery of Ireland’s National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (NPF‑AFI) and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). My work includes responsibility for hydrogen and biomethane infrastructure policy, Shared Island initiatives, and extensive engagement at EU and national level.

About Kinia

Educational disadvantage has long been part of the story when it comes to inequality. Today, that story is evolving.

As new careers, technologies, and ways of working continue to emerge, a new kind of divide is taking shape. It is not just about access to education, but access to awareness, opportunity, and aspiration. If young people do not see these pathways reflected in their homes or communities, it becomes much harder to imagine themselves in those futures.

At Kinia, we work to change that.

We support children and young people to explore what is possible, while empowering educators with the tools, skills, and confidence to inspire the next generation. By focusing on creative, future-focused learning, we help open doors that might otherwise remain out of reach. We believe that learning creates opportunity and that when young people are given the chance to engage, create, and imagine their future, it can change lives.

Quotes

• “The democratization of energy means every country in the world can begin producing its own energy again.” — Ben Giordano
• “It’s not only about messaging, but it’s about experience.” — Ben Giordano
• “Young people are not only being told something — they’re literally experiencing how it works.” — Ben Giordano
• “Renewables offer a career that is both innovative and creative, but also infrastructure on the ground.” — Meadhbh Whelan
• “Learning isn’t just sitting in a classroom or at a desk or reading. Learning is listening to others.” — Meadhbh Whelan
• “Every single one of us should be a teacher in some way.” — Meadhbh Whelan