Almost 500 students took part in Offaly Student Enterprise Awards
Local Enterprise Office Offaly has announced that teenager entrepreneurs from Birr Community School will represent Offaly at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on May 14.
Offaly will be represented by Hology Photography from Birr Community School which is owned by Damien Delaney and Alex Byrne. They run a photography business selling pictures framed, unframed and on canvas of the local area and more. They also plan to become a service provider taking pictures in the local area and expanding to even more products when Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
The announcement follows the hosting of the Offaly final on March 9, which was held live online for the first time in the history of the competition. Almost 500 students from 10 schools took part in the annual programme locally.
The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, sees on average 25,000 students from over 500 secondary schools across the country take part each year. The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Finals.
As well as sharing the prize fund of over €1,500, the winner received a specially commissioned trophy designed by local craftsperson Ross Hathaway of Metal Meyham, and every student receives a certificate to mark their participation in the competition.
A special teachers’ prize draw was held and gift vouchers went to John Lowndes of Tullamore College and Patsy Griffin of St. Mary’s Secondary School in Edenderry.
Offaly has a very successful track record in the Student Enterprise competition. Recent awards won at the National Final include Overall Winner in 2018 with Manus Heenan’s “Abbey Bread” from Cistercian College.
Speaking at the final, Cllr John Carroll Cathaoirleach Offaly County Council, commended the students for their efforts, trying to set up a business in these very challenging circumstances. Each student is a winner just to reach the final. He thanked their teachers and parents for their support. “It’s a great opportunity for you (the students) to develop your business skills. Hopefully many of you will go on to set up your own businesses in the future and avail of the services of the Local Enterprise Office, which is now an integral part of the County Council.” he commented.
The local students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland in the Annual Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in May. The awards ceremony can be watched back on https://youtu.be/GWhxw56S6jw
Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.
Winner:
St Brendan's Community School, Birr
Hology Photography -Pictures framed, unframed and on canvas of the local area and more.
Students: Damien Delaney, Alex Byrne. Teacher: John McIntyre
Runner Up
Tullamore College
Untangled Books - A series of books aimed primarily at preschool children, teaching important lessons about hygiene, manners and confidence.
Students: Una Hughes, Nera Grgurev, Tracy Hannon, Grace Tierney, Lucy Cullen Nolan. Teacher: John Lowndes
3rd
St Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry
Designs To Dye For - Customisable, tie dye apparel that is affordable and environmentally friendly.
Students: Leah Daly, Katie Byrne, Ross Anthony, Maria Macari. Teacher: Fiona Dunbar
“Ones to Watch” Award
Cistercian College, Roscrea
Power Cakes - A healthy alternative to the well known rice cake
Students: Charlie Naughton, Fabien Fleetwood. Teacher: Catherine Smyth
Sustainability Award
St Brendan's Community School, Birr
Creativity le Cairde - A TY Mini-Company dedicated to spreading inspiration and creativity by selling recyclable notebooks with handstitched covers
Students: Mary MacCartáin, Jack Kirwan. Teacher: John McIntyre
Best Report Award
Tullamore College
The Next Chapter: Business created to help children make the transition from 6th class to first year and to provide teachers with a helpful resource.
Students: Caitlin Dunne, Róisín Farrell, Kate Tracey, Nancy Flynn. Teacher: John Lowndes
Best Product Award
Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara
Home Tweet Home - Handmade Colourful Wooden Birdhouses. Each with unique and different colours
Student: Gavin Bennett. Teacher: Katie Murray
Innovation Award
Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara
Sew Perfect - Makes and sells re-usable face masks
Student: Conor McEvoy. Teacher: Anna Marie Guinan
Merit
St Brendan's Community School, Birr
Medal Minders - Wooden medal display plaques
Students: Meg Delaney, Laura O'Donoghue, Caoimhe Carroll, Chloe Tooher. Teacher: John McIntyre
Merit
Tullamore College
FABB Wooden Crafts - Unique & Multipurpose Footwear holders for shoes with or without a stool attached
Students: Eamon Bolger, Fionán Redmond, Aaron Gorman, Ben Gilmartin. Teacher:
John Lowndes & Michelle Griffin
Merit
Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara
Crafty Giftzz - Personalised Keyrings
Students: Zelda Utangec, Holly McCloskey. Teacher: Anna Marie Guinan
Merit
St Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry
Jingle Bell Pops - Unique chocolate lollipops, suitable for any occasion
Student: Elyse Halligan. Teacher: Gordon McDonnell
Merit
St Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry
Thread It - Hand embroidered socks
Students: Shauna Comerford, Ruby Foran, Olivia Craig, Jessica Cannon Mooney. Teacher: Patsy Griffin