Europe’s youngest app developer is proud of his Donegal roots
Caolan Fleming
Child prodigy, Caolan Fleming, who is Europe’s youngest app developer, is exceptionally proud of his Donegal and Gaoth Dobhair heritage.
This week, the 11-year old has attracted worldwide attention for his work and has been invited as a guest to the Dublin web summit where he will meet and greet the leaders of major global players on the technological market, such as, Twitter, Google and Skype.
The primary school student from Laois will be accompanied to the event this week by his mother, Caitlin Nic Pháidín, a native of Carrick Coyle, Gaoth Dobhair.
Speaking to the Donegal Democrat/Donegal People’s Press, Caolan said:
“I am very excited to be invited to the Dublin web summit. I cannot wait to meet the developers of Twitter and Google.”
The boy wonder began developing apps at the tender age of nine and is self taught. “I have made three apps and I am now working on my fourth. I am not sure what to call it yet. I learnt how to create apps by looking at Youtube and books.”
The national school student uses Adobe Flash, AS6 and Python to develop his programmes.
Former Fianna Fáil Mayor and member of the Higher Education Authority, Brendan Byrne yesterday called Caolan’s family in Gaoth Dobhair to congratulate them on his achievement.
“He should be an inspiration to the educational system in this country. This young man who is only eleven years of age has created a niche market that the government has failed to identify and brought Ireland to the attention of Europe and indeed the world in terms of app development. We should take a leaf out of this young man’s book now and focus on what could be a redeeming factor for our economy.”
Caolan echoed his sentiments by saying that he would love it if app development could be a subject taught at national school. “It would be a good subject, I would love that. My other favourite subject is Maths and P.E.”
The young soccer player also likes to write and has uploaded many of his literary work onto the web.
Last week, the young innovator created a game that is compatible with both Android phones and computers. “I called it Happyjump and I used Newground to develop it on computers and Googleplay for Android.”
His grandmother and grandfather, Brid and Owen McFadden are looking forward to when their grandson comes to visit Gaoth Dobhair during his school holidays. “We are very proud of him. He is a wonderful young boy. It is a great achievement,” they said.
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Saturday 18 May 2013
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