SENIOR CLARE STUDENTS SET FOR CROKE PARK ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINAL

Local Enterprise Office Clare have announced that teenage entrepreneurs from St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart will represent Clare in the Senior Category 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 senior category all took part in the Clare Senior Final on 22nd March 2023 which was held at the West County Hotel , Ennis.

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.

L-R: Leas Cathaoirlech of Clare County Council Cllr. Ann Norton, Darragh O'Callaghan - OCM Light Bars, Betty Culligan, Business Teacher, St. John Bosco Community College & Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare

In the Senior Category, the enterprise representing Clare at the National Finals is OCM Light Bars from St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart with students Darragh O'Callaghan and Evan Moloney.

Special guests at the Clare Final included Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr. Ann Norton. Judges on the day included Siobhan Mulcahy, Arts Officer Clare County Council, Paul Coffey Accountant, Claire Bannon of INDIGO and Michelle Guthrie of Local Enterprise Office Clare. Trophy was commissioned from Conor Murray of Kilkee Forge.

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 Ann Norton, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, commented on the valuable contribution of teachers in this programme. Cllr Norton said: “Mini enterprises displaying here today require great work and effort and it is a credit to all the teachers and schools who have taken part. The students are also a credit to their parents, teachers and schools.”

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.

Names of winning enterprises

Senior Category Results

1^st Place – OCM Light Bars, St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart

2^nd Place – Aphrodite Cosmetics, Colaiste Muire, Ennis

3^rd Place – West Clare Woodworks, St. John Bosco Community College, Kidysart

Best Business Plan: Fabulous Frames, Gaelcholaiste an Chlair, Ennis

Best Commercial Potential: A & J Protein Bars, St. Joseph’s, Tulla

Best Innovation: Take 2 Clothing, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

Best Sales: Scoil Mhuire Jerseys, Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon

Best Display: Bee Good, Gaelcholaiste an Chlair, Ennis