Connemara inventor has the ‘app-titude’ for global success!

A Connemara college graduate has won global recognition for developing a phone app which helps people communicate in different languages – but the budding entrepreneur isn’t sitting on his laurels.

Cathal Mac Donnacha from Ros a Mhíl has just landed his first full-time job as a software enginneer and is already well on the way to developing his second app. He is currently working on a new app which will work as a security device for parents with teenagers.

But already Cathal has been given an ‘honourable mention’ at the 2012 Worldwide Community App Awards for Windows Phone 7 for his iSpeak app.

This app allows phone users of differing native languages to communicate through the Windows Phone 7 mobile application and is particularly useful when travelling abroad.

Already 8,500 worldwide have downloaded the app, which is currently available on a trial basis but will be available for sale for 99c.

Cathal, who attended the Software Development course in GMIT, is thrilled with the international response to his app, but stresses that he didn’t develop it “for the money”.

“A month ago it was Microsoft’s App of the Month and all that recognition is very good and I am delighted with the newest praise from within the industry.

“I just started a full-time job with Avaya in the Mervue Business Park which is great because this is what I have always wanted to do,” he says.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.