Shona presents, sponsored by Penneys
Shine Festival 2026
Two days of big conversations, real Irish women and a whole lot of dancing, built for Transition Year girls.
DAY ONE
Wed 21 Oct
DAY TWO
Thur 22 Oct
SETU Arena, Co. Waterford, X91 XD96
WHAT YOUR STUDENTS CAN EXPECT
A day they’ll be talking about for years
From the moment your students walk through the doors, Shine feels different from a normal school day. There’s music playing, activity stands to explore and a room full of girls their own age who get it. Then the lights go down on the main stage and the real magic starts.
Nobody is lecturing. Inspiring Irish women share honest, funny, heartfelt conversations about the messy, brilliant reality of growing up, and the things teenage girls actually think about but don’t always get to say out loud.
A sense of what’s possible
Careers they may never have heard of, women breaking ground in sport and technology, showing them what’s out there.
Tools for their mental health
Practical ways to understand anxiety, look after their brains and build resilience when life gets loud.
Confidence that sticks
Sessions on self-belief, empowerment and learning to be your own best friend, from women who have lived it.
Real talk on women’s health
Clear, shame-free information on the things nobody explains properly in school.
Pure joy
Giant group workouts with Danspire, singing, dancing and a full-arena dance party to send them home buzzing.
A voice in the world
Conversations on women’s rights, sustainability, allyship and why their vote matters, plus the chance to find out about preregistering to vote.
PARTNERS AND EXHIBITORS
Made possible by brilliant partners
During registration and lunch, students can explore the exhibitors area, where our partners run hands-on activities, games and information stands for students and teachers.
HEADLINE PARTNER
PARTNERS
EXHIBITORS
KEY DETAILS
Everything you need to plan the trip
DATES
Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October 2026
REGISTRATION
9.30am to 10.30am, with exhibitor stands open
VENUE
SETU Arena, Carriganore, Co. Waterford, X91 XD96
SHOW STARTS
10.30am sharp. Please be seated by 10.25am.
For your bus driver: please share the full address and Eircode X91 XD96. SETU Arena is at the Carriganore campus, not the university’s main campus in Waterford city.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Transition Year girls, and non-binary students
LUNCH
Wednesday 12.00 to 1.00. Thursday 11.55 to 12.55.
COSTS
€10 per student. Teachers attend free.
FINISH
3.00pm, followed by schools departure
Coach parking is available at the venue. Drivers should follow the parking attendants on the day.
The Lineup
Who’s on the main stage
-
9.30 to 10.30
Arrival, registration, activities and moments to SHINE!
10.30 to 10.35
Shonagh Lyons & Megan O’Regan Byrne
Welcome to Shine!
10.35 to 10.45
Tammy Darcy
What are The Shona Project and Shine Festival?
10.45 to 11.00
Joanna Fortune
Your Mental Health and Anxiety
11.00 to 11.10
Sport Ireland Speaker
Women in Sport
11.10 to 11.25
Sinéad Brady, The Career Psychologist
What’s Out There For You?
11.25 to 11.35
Pat Kane
Sustainability & How to Make Change
11.40 to 11.55
Mary Hayes, Elaine Murphy and Siloé Musoke with Pat Kane
Change-makers Panel
11.55 to 12.00
Penneys
Kindness, Confidence and a Day at Penneys
12.00 to 1.00
Lunch
Take a look at our activities, then back to seats
1.00 to 1.05
The Electoral Commission
Your Vote, Your Choice
1.05 to 1.15
Wouldn’t You Like To Know
Shine Hero!
1.15 to 1.30
Danspire
Let’s Get Moving!
1.30 to 1.45
Destiny Ayo Vaughan
Mindset & Resilience
1.45 to 2.05
Sarah Doyle
Being Your Own Best Friend
2.05 to 2.25
Yemi Adenuga
Self-belief & Empowerment
2.25 to 3.00
Danspire & Special Guests
Dance Party!
From 3.00
Schools departure
-
9.30 to 10.30
Arrival, registration, activities and moments to SHINE!
10.30 to 10.35
Shonagh Lyons & Megan O’Regan Byrne
Welcome to Shine!
10.35 to 10.45
Tammy Darcy
What are The Shona Project and Shine Festival?
10.45 to 10.55
Sport Ireland Speaker
Women in Sport
10.55 to 11.10
Ailbhe Smyth
Women’s Rights Because Women Voted
11.10 to 11.20
Pat Kane
Sustainability & How to Make Change
11.20 to 11.40
Tara Rafter
Wellness and Understanding Your Brain
11.40 to 11.55
Patricia Scanlon
AI, Technology & Our Futures
11.55 to 12.55
Lunch
Take a look at our activities, then back to seats
12.55 to 1.05
Wouldn’t You Like To Know
Shine Hero!
1.05 to 1.15
Danspire
Let’s Get Moving!
1.15 to 1.30
Amanda Ade
Being an Ally
1.30 to 1.45
Laura Dowling
Women’s Health
1.45 to 2.05
Sarah Doyle
Being Your Own Best Friend
2.05 to 2.25
Yemi Adenuga
Self-belief & Empowerment
2.25 to 3.00
Danspire & Special Guests
Dance Party!
From 3.00
Schools departure
This schedule is subject to changes and last minute adjustments.
SEE YOU IN WATERFORD!
We can’t wait to welcome you and your students to Shine 2026.
On the day: if you’re delayed or have trouble getting to the venue, call our School Liaison on 086 014 4728. This line is run by volunteers on 21st and 22nd October, so replies before or after the event may be limited.
General queries: email education@shona.ie
Teacher FAQs
-
A packed lunch. Light refreshments will also be available to buy at the venue. All food must be eaten in the main hall and not in any other area of the venue.
-
Whatever they like. Many schools choose their PE uniform, as there’s plenty of singing, dancing and moving around throughout the day.
-
Yes. Teachers must stay with their students in the hall for the full day, and we ask that no group leaves during a speaker.
-
Yes, we encourage it so they can take photos and share their day. We just ask that phones are on silent and that students give speakers their full attention.
-
Medics will be on site for first aid. If a student needs their usual daily medication, please make sure they bring it with them.
-
Yes. A quiet room is available for any student who needs a moment away from the buzz of the day.
-
Photography and video will be captured to promote the festival across national media, social media and our website. Each school is responsible for securing parental permission, and we’ll ask teachers to confirm this at registration.
-
Students can share feedback via a QR code, with prizes up for grabs. We only collect each student’s name and school, with no contact details. If a student wins, we contact their teacher directly.
-
Yes. Coach parking is available at the venue. Drivers should follow the directions of the parking attendants on the day.
NEW! Lunch ordering system
It is advised that students bring a pack lunch to avoid long delays at lunch and ensuring the Shine festival moves along smartly during the day. A Café and restaurant are on site serving snacks, hot and cold beverages and hot lunches. To avoid the long delays and queues forming at lunch, a pre-order and pay facility, is available for popular items on the day.
