Entrepreneurs from two local schools are to represent Carlow in the National Student Enterprise Awards.
It takes place on the 9th of May at the Mullingar Park Hotel and yesterday saw the county final roll out at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel.
100 students from seven schools, totaling over 900 participants, engaged in the annual local programme.
‘Flippin Catchy’ from Tullow Community Schools’ Adam Cleary, Michael Ryan, Markuss Ragelis, Adam Laaraichi-Byrne, and Thomas Fitzgerald took the senior title.
For the “My Entrepreneurial Journey” category Isabelle Kearney of ‘Worm Away’ at the Presentation De La Salle College in Bagenalstown while Maria Healy, Luke O’Connor, Ruth Brennan, and Craig Burgess of ‘Blanket Bliss’ from Tullow Community School will represent in the Junior and Intermediate Categories, respectively.
Special guests at the County Final included Cathaoirleach Andrea Dalton, Mayor Tom O’ Neill, Coilín O’Reilly (Chief Executive), and Cllr. John Pender as well as New Frontiers Graduates, Olive Maher from Preen & Niall Quirke from Suspage who engaged in a fireside chat sharing their experience in enterprise.
Carlow has a successful track record in the student enterprise competition, with two overall wins, including HUDEBA from Borris Vocational School & Rapid from Presentation College Askea. Previous National Carlow Winners also include “School of Sound” from Tullow Community School and Monarch Gymwear (Jamie Noctor, Paul Barrett, Oisin Nolan, and Andi Dascalescu), who received the Social Media Awards for their effective use of social platforms.
Clodagh Brophy’s Enterprise (St. Leo’s College) won the Most Effective Social Media Campaign Award in the senior category, and AJ Dooley of ENT-GAME from Presentation De La Salle, Bagenalstown, represented Carlow in the Intermediate Category.
Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Andrea Dalton, congratulated the students, stating, “Your dedication and innovative spirit have not only elevated this event but also showcased the power of teamwork and ingenuity. As we look forward to a bright future, let’s continue to collaborate and foster a culture of creativity within our community.”
Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise with Carlow County Council, congratulated all the students, emphasising that the Student Enterprise Awards blend ambition and innovation. He expressed excitement about the talent within this generation to transform the future and noted; “Empowering young minds with enterprise skills is not just an investment in their future; it’s a commitment to fostering innovation, resilience, and leadership. In cultivating these skills, we not only shape the entrepreneurs of tomorrow but also build a foundation for a thriving and dynamic global society.”
