Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE 2017 FORBES list of the most ambitious, smart, and productive people of the year is out – and there are a few familiar Irish faces on the list.
The list is actually 600 people long – compiled of impressive young adults across every sector of the working world that you can think of.
The long list of winners are available to view on Forbes’ lovely website and searchable by category. Meanwhile, we’ve compiled them here in order of their age, and included the reasons why Forbes were so impressed by them.
Sam Blanckensee (aged 22) – Law & Policy
The Wicklow native first got a taste for politics through his role as the LGBT coordinator at UCD. Sam told TheJournal.ie in an interview from 2015 that he wants to ”amplify the voices of marginalised communities and to represent young people and give them a voice“.
Forbes lists his description as the following:
Activist and lobbyist, Sam Blanckensee, is the National Development Officer of TENI (the Transgender Equality Network Ireland). An outspoken voice for the trans community across Irish media and politics, Blanckensee helped get gender recognition legislation passed in Ireland that let people self-declare their gender and receive new birth certificates.
Mark Moriarty (aged 25) - The Arts
The young chef continues to impress on a global scale, and impressed to such a level that he was included in the ‘arts’ category.
Since his first job in a kitchen when he was just 15 years old, Irish chef Mark Moriarty has been crowned the 2015 San Pellegrino UK & Ireland Young chef of the Year and the San Pellegrino World Young Chef of the Year. Cooking pop-up dinners all over the world, Moriarty exhibits his adeptness in working in unfamiliar environments and tailoring menus for world-renowned guest lists.
Iseult Ward (aged 26) - Social Entrepreneurs
Ward has been a prominent speaker on the subject of food wastage and her app, which connects surplus food with charities in need, offered a practical solution.
In an interview with TheJournal.ie from June last year, Ward said that “pointing the blame at any one area is ineffective if we are going to really address the issue”.
Iseult created an mobile and web platform, FoodCloud, that connects businesses with surplus foods to local charities. Iseult previously won the Marie Claire UK Future Shapers Award and funding in Virgin Media Business VOOM 2016 Competition, judged by Richard Branson, Sarah Blakely and Tyra Banks.
Colin Keogh (aged 28) – Science & Healthcare
Engineering PhD candidate Keogh has long been interested in using low-cost disruptive technologies to help improve the world.
He founded The Rapid Foundation to put technology such as 3D printers and low-cost electronics in the hands of people who need it most in developing countries.
And he’s understandably delighted to be included in the list of Forbes’ finalists.
Niall Mimnagh (aged 28) – Industry
The Longford man is the CEO of energy company Mimergy, and if you haven’t heard of it before, you will in the future:
Mimnagh wants to revert tires into their origins. Over 1 billion waste tires are generated globally every year. Ireland, for example, exports over 50% of them to be incinerated abroad. So Mimergy recycles the tires into precious resources such as fuel and other high value chemicals.
Conor McGregor (aged 28) – Entertainment
The man who needs no introduction unsurprisingly made the list. What was surprising, is he was put under the ‘entertainment’ rather than sport category.
Known for his aggressive fighting style, this versatile mixed martial arts fighter has both lightweight and featherweight championships under his belt. And The Notorious, as he’s known, is making money with every punch: A single fight in August earned him a $3 million purse.
The dogs in the street could have told you that. I wouldn’t think there has ever been a person who at least once in their lives that fancied someone and bought them a drink, doing it hoping that pulling would be easier.
Yes. bought them a drink because they’re in a bar. What would you suggest to offer to buy someone in that situation? Ice cream?
I think the meaning of my statement went over your head.
No person has the right to sexually assault another no matter what the situation.
Lorraine I totally agree with you there. In no way do I condone any degree of non consensual sexual activity no matter what the circumstances are. I merely draw attention to what might be construed as a lack of culpability in certain cases.
Spoken like a true rapist Tom.
What exactly is their message here?
I read it as the societal perception of drunk women as sexual targets needs to change because rapists can use it to justify the rape to themselves. Also, I think the message is there that women need to be aware of their vulnerability to predators when drunk. Regardless of this rape is rape and the blame fully lies on the perpetrators.
That in most cases there is no “spiked drink”, there is just drink.
You gob shite
Check out ‘Embarrassing Irish nightlife photos’ on facebook. Should answer any questions you may have about this article.
I would have thought the message was quiet simple. Be aware!
Last paragraph is so important.
I think you need to take in fairness out of that sentence Tom , there’s nothing fair in it at all just your sad deluded prejudice.
Ah I’ve just had a look ‘Tom Fitzgerald’ is a sham twitter account only set up to post to the journal, no doubt there’s seven other trolling replies elsewhere.
Well done Columbo. Now off you go to solve some other crimes. Idiot!
Privacy is clearly an abhorrent thing and should be stamped out wherever possible.
Tom, if you’re gonna troll at least make it funny.
All yo have to do is go to coppers to see that……..shudder!
too see the number of men tittering and jeering over on the club orange threads today, talking about tatays,bit,knockers etc etc it is clear that Irish women are living in a rapey culture. Advertisements use womens body parts to sell crap, and now we learn the shit in bed Irish man has to use drink to get his gander up.
and of course the poor Irish women has to guzzle a load of drink down her just to tolerate the one minute man experience.
I very much agree that alcohol is often used as a rape-drug, often with women as the targets. I also agree with all the drink aware adverts that tell us we should be careful when we drink to the point of excess and lose self-control.
So why is it often considered taboo for both the messages to be heeded at the same time? (N.B. – IMO the onus of rape is of course always the fault of the perpetrator, never the victim – people must know that they also have a responsibility to look after themselves, not only in case they are raped, but to safeguard against other crimes such as assault or mugging; again, two crimes that are entirely the fault of the perp, but we must still be wary for our own safety)
Alcohol is widely accepted in Ireland, no doubt about that. But to call it a rape drug? Girls should know that if they consume alcohol, that they are more at risk. Not that I am saying that it’s okay, not at all, but when a girl gets totally locked, she should be double as careful I would say. Best thing is to drink at home or go out and drink in a moderate way.
And not as usual, havin a few drinks at sum friends place, then headin out, having a naggin of gin or whatever on the way to the pub/club and already be pissed by the time you walk in, to continue drinking rediculous amounts of mixers in the place.
oh here we go all the thumbs down from the limp dicks who know I am talking the truth. Go and buy some viagra boys, and then try to meet consenting women. And try to pretend you don’t think she’s a piece of meat when you refer to her knockers, bits for the 60 seconds youre at it.
Better still go and listen to a bit of Marvin Gaye.
Jesus Mary you have had some bad experiences! This is a sensitive topic and your comments add no value to the thread. I suggest you get help instead of airing your issues on here:)
yeah Paddy anything to avoid the truth that Irish men are shIte when it comes to dealing with women.
A headline in a newspaper today says the risk of junior cert girls being assaulted tonight is extremely high. Now where are 15 year old boys learning that behaviour? From their older peers who are on here tittering away about tits.The more thumbs down I get, the more nerves I am hitting.
Haters keep hating.
Good one Gav, it does work for both ugly/fat members of either sex though!
These idiotic comments can contribute to under reporting of sex offences. You should be less impulsive with your posting.
Must be how you met your wife so Gavin.
Yeah all women are helpless victims. Time for a reality check folks.
****..
Don’t drink and drive
While alcohol is a significant cause of date rape, the extensive use of date rape drugs should not be underestimated. A company named DrinkSavvy is helping to raise awareness and prevent drug facilitated date rape, by developing products that look and function just like regular cups, glasses, and straws/stirrers, except that they will immediately change color if a date rape drug is unknowingly slipped into your drink. If you agree with what they are doing, show your support by liking them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/SavvyTechnology. Thanks!
While alcohol is a significant cause of date rape, the extensive use of date rape drugs should not be underestimated. We at DrinkSavvy are helping to raise awareness and prevent drug facilitated date rape, by developing products that look and function just like regular cups, glasses, and straws/stirrers, except that they will immediately change color if a date rape drug is unknowingly slipped into your drink. If you agree with what we are doing, show your support by liking us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/SavvyTechnology. Thanks!
Separate Ireland from the damaging effects of alcohol? Is that possible?
have your say