Shine festival spreads a light over empowerment and spirit
The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success
The Shona Project’s annual Shine Festival returned to Waterford recently with an electrifying two-day celebration of young women, empowerment, and community spirit.
The event welcomed over 2,000 Transition Year students from across Ireland for what was hailed as its most inspiring event yet.
The festival took place on October 22 and 23 in SETU Arena and was supported by Sanofi, Plan International, Sport Ireland, Custodian and Beat 1012-103.
The Shona Project is also seeking partners for next year's event.
Hosted by Megan O’Regan Byrne and Shonagh Lyons, from Beat 102-103, the festival was a vibrant mix of laughter, learning, and powerful storytelling.
Founder Tammy Darcy opened both days with an uplifting message about the importance of community and confidence, setting the tone for a line-up that left audiences buzzing.
Across the main stage, speakers such as Paralympian Ellen Keane, Natasha O’Brien, Fionnuala Moran, Sarah Corbett, Tara Rafter, Laura Dowling, Amanda Ade and Aoife Moore shared moving talks on everything from sustainability and mindset, to mental health, women’s health, and the power of self-belief.
The festival also featured meditations by Mary Bradley, interactive sessions like the Danspire Giant Workout, and a closing party led by Sing Along Social.
A spokesperson for the organisers said the panels included young Change-Makers, leaders and advocates like Destiny Vaughan, Katie Joubert and Vanessa Ogbonna, who inspired their peers with stories of courage and resilience.
“The energy in the room was electric,” said Tammy Darcy, Founder and CEO of The Shona Project.
“Every girl who walked through those doors was reminded that her voice, her story, and her future matter," he added, before commenting: "Shine is about sparking that light and this year, it burned brighter than ever.”
In order to make the event and speakers accessible to everyone, The Shona Project has continued to expand its Shine Online platform (www.shinefestival.ie).
A student resource, it hosts over over 250 conversations with interesting, authentic and inspiring women and has something of interest for everyone, covering topics such as mental health, wellness, mindset, career, diversity, individuality, the arts, sports, social issues, and sustainability.
