Press Release                                                              9th March 2023

CLARE STUDENTS SET FOR CROKE PARK ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINAL

Local Enterprise Office Clare have announced that teenage entrepreneurs from St. Joseph’s School, Spanish Point and CBS Ennistymon will represent Clare at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on Friday 5th May.  The Finals make a return to Croke Park for the first time since 2019.

The students in the junior and intermediate categories all took part in the Clare Final on 8th March 2023 which was held at the West County Hotel , Ennis. The senior competition is rescheduled to 22nd March.

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, saw over 25,000 students from just under 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2021 / 2022.  The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Finals.

In the Junior Category, the enterprise representing Clare at the National Finals is West Clare Cookbook from St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point.

In the Intermediate Category, Leabhar Grianghraf from CBS Ennistymon will be representing the county at the Finals.

Special guests at the Clare Final included Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr. Tony O’Brien.

Speaking at the county final, Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise said “Once again, our student enterprise programme has highlighted the entrepreneurial talent Clare has among our young population. It is pleasing to see the encouragement and support these young entrepreneurs get from their teachers and their parents. Hopefully many will consider starting their own business in the future and creating new jobs in our towns and villages.”

Cllr Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, commented on the valuable contribution of teachers in this programme. Cllr O’Brien said: “Projects like this require great work and effort and it is a credit to all the teachers and schools who have taken part and were here over the two days of the County Final.”

The local students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals, taking place at Croke Park in Dublin on the 5^th May. 

Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 350,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business.  The Student Enterprise Programme also has new range of online resources for 2022 / 2023 at www.StudentEnterprise.ie, which will feature regular blogs and houses a full range of Student Enterprise resources for students and teachers.   

Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.

For further information, please contact Local Enterprise Office Clare, Clare County Council

Notes to Editor

Names of winning enterprises

Junior Category Results

1st Place: West Clare Cookbook, Spanish Point

2^nd Place: Doggy Delights, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

3^rd Place: Lush Lips, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

Intermediate Category Results

1^st Place: Leabhar Grianghraf, CBS Ennistymon

2^nd Place: Ocean Hooks, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

3^rd Place: The Upcycle Company, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

Best Poster: Sweet Light Candle Company, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

Best Commercial Potential: Sockie the Snowman, St. Anne’s, Killaloe

Best Innovation: CJJ Slates, CBS Ennistymon

Best Sales: Bits and Bobs, St. Joseph’s Spanish Point

Best Display: Ocean Hooks, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

About the Student Enterprise Programme (studententerprise.ie)

The Student Enterprise Programme is co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Offices and involves approximately 25,000 students from 500 secondary schools every year. It runs from September to May and the 2022/2023 National Final takes place online on the 5^th May.                                                                               

Website: www.studententerprise.ie / #studententerprise / Twitter: @StudentEntProg / Facebook: /studententerpriseprogramme / Instagram: /studententerpriseprogramme