9th of March 2016
Teenage entrepreneurs going to Croke Park National Final announced
Teenage entrepreneurs from three local secondary schools are on their way to Croke Park in Dublin next month, to represent the county and their Local Enterprise Office at the National Finals of the Student Enterprise Awards
Under the Student Enterprise Awards, which starts every September, budding secondary school entrepreneurs set-up and run their own enterprises, learning about the world of business with help from their teachers and Local Enterprise Office Clare.
The students were all competing at the County Clare Final on the 8th of March which was held at Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis. 103 student enterprises, comprising more than 400 students, took part in the annual programme locally.
In the Junior Category, the students representing County Clare at the National Finals are: Kayla Sheridan, Ellen Morrison and Alva Crowe from KAE Jewellery at Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon.
In the Intermediate Category, the students representing County Clare at the National Finals are: Megan King and Megan Hehir from Megan’s Mugs at St Michaels Community College, Kilmihil
In the Senior Category of the competition, County Clare will be represented on April 20th by Annora Ni Cheallachain, Siun Ni Thuathail, Rachel Nic Mhathuna and Ciaran O’Tuathail from ARCS for Success at Gaelchòlaiste an Chlàir
The trophies for each category were crafted by a locally based entrepreneur, Caoimhin Conneely of Irish Wood Products based in Doolin, Co Clare. Councillor James Breen, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council also attended the event and spent some time viewing the different stands and talking to the students.
Co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Offices in every Local Authority area, the competition is the most successful student enterprise programme of its kind in the country.
Praising local schools for helping to foster student enterprise in the classroom, Padraic McElwee Head of Enterprise of the Local Enterprise Office Clare, said: “Our local schools are very committed to supporting youth entrepreneurship. Principals, teachers, boards of management and importantly, the student entrepreneurs themselves deserve huge credit for their dedication and hard work. Over the years, our team of Student Enterprise Co-Ordinators from Local Enterprise Offices have formed a very effective partnership with local schools, to help nurture our next generation of entrepreneurs and job creators.”
The National Finalists will be competing with up to 300 other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland on April 20th. Further information around the Student Enterprise Awards, which is run by the Local Enterprise Offices, is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.
As part of the ‘first stop shop’ business support model, the Local Enterprise Offices deliver services and support to the micro and small business sectors with the guidance of the Centre of Excellence at Enterprise Ireland under the policy direction of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
More photos of the day are on our Facebook page Local Enterprise Office Clare