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News 2025
Owen Barron honoured by UCC for Silver Medal at International Maths Olympiad
Bishopstown student Owen Barron has been celebrated by University College Cork (UCC) for his exceptional performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, where he earned a silver medal, a rare and prestigious achievement for Ireland.
Owen, aged 17 and a student at Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, was honoured at a special reception hosted by UCC President Professor John O’Halloran. His medal marks only the third silver ever won by Ireland in 38 years of IMO participation.
This year’s IMO was a landmark for the Irish team, which achieved its best results to date: three medals (two silver, one bronze), a record number of points, and a breakthrough in international rankings that placed Ireland among the top-performing countries.
Owen has been training with the UCC Mathematics Enrichment Programme for over three years and has represented Ireland in three consecutive IMOs. His dedication and talent have made him a standout figure in Ireland’s growing mathematics community.
At the ceremony, Owen was joined by his mother, Professor Roisin Connolly, Director of Cancer Research at UCC; his father, Ian Barron; school principal Mr Colmán Ó Túama; and mathematics teacher Mr Niall Brett.
They were welcomed by senior UCC staff including Professor Sarah Culloty (Head, College of Science, Engineering and Food Science), Michele Power (Manager of the Quercus Talented Students’ Programme), and a delegation from the School of Mathematical Sciences: the new Head of School Dr. Martin Kilian, the new Boole Chair in Mathematics Prof. Robert Osborne, Head of Statistics discipline Dr. Ben Taylor, School Manager Catherine Maguire and Dr. Anca Mustata, organiser of UCC Mathematics Enrichment and coach of the IMO 2025 team.
Owen spoke about the IMO’s role in inspiring young minds and credited both his school and UCC for their support. His mother praised Ian Barron for fostering a love of mathematics in the family — three of the Barron children have attended UCC’s enrichment programme, including Aifric Barron, 15, who earned an honourable mention at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2025.
The event also highlighted UCC’s commitment to nurturing young talent. Just a week earlier, the university hosted a training camp for the IMO and EGMO squads. Each year, nearly 500 students take part in UCC’s mathematics outreach activities, and the recent appointment of the Boole Chair signals renewed energy and growth in the field.
The support provided by former students including Fionn Kimber O'Shea and Emily Wolfe in training camps and volunteering at the IMO overseas was also acknowledged.
UCC continues to play a central role in shaping Ireland’s future thinkers, combining academic excellence with a deep commitment to curiosity, creativity, and innovation.