Co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, the competition is the most successful programme of its kind in the country. An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D., launched the programme in September last year and since then; around 600 budding entrepreneurs from secondary schools across the county have been running their own enterprises, with help from their teachers and the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny.

Almost 150 enterprising students from 11 secondary schools across County Kilkenny set-up enterprise exhibition displays at the Student Enterprise Awards (SEA) County Final held on Wednesday last 11^th March. The finalists began arriving from early morning, getting ready, preparing and transforming the ballroom of the Newpark Hotel into a fantastic exhibition of businesses.

The judges had a very difficult task and had to take numerous factors into account, such as business reporting, innovation, market research, risk management and finances. After much deliberation they finally decided that the following student enterprises would represent Kilkenny at the National Finals. In the senior category the winners were: Sarah Brannigan, Ciara Carroll and Siobhan Buggy, students from Castlecomer Community School with their project Glo-bál. Their business produces glow-in-the-dark sliotars to enable hurling /camogie to be played in the dark evenings. Mya Russell from Coláiste Pobail Osraí will represent Kilkenny in the junior category with her business ‘Chibi Chic’ which creates a range of bags with Japanese cartoon characters exclusively design by Mya.

Runners up in the Senior Category were “Milestones’’ an educational business from Grennan College and third prize went to the impressive product “Tavern Boards” from the Kilkenny College. The judges were very impressed with ‘Hunters Trials’ project, a dedicated website advertising hunter trails events that had been developed by Eric Mahon, a student from St. Kieran’s College. He was awarded the Science & Technology which is sponsored by Institute of Technology, Carlow. The Best Branding Award sponsored by the ThreeSixtyMarketing was awarded to ‘Rosie’s Handmade Cards’ from Loreto Secondary School which produces a range of hand-needle-felt and hession cards.

A number of other special category awards were presented at the County Final event. The Most Innovative Product was presented to “Can Do Recycling’’ from Duiske College, whereby the students collect aluminium cans and recycle them. “Sweet & Sinful” from Loreto Secondary School won the Best Display Award; while “Mad Yoke Tees’’ from Coláiste Pobail Osraí were awarded a prize for the Best Report. “Castle Designs’’ from CBS Kilkenny won the Best Teamwork Award. A new Social Media Award was introduced this year and was presented to ‘Medal Pride’ from Duiske College who create customised medal plaques for display purposes.

An enterprising student Emily McGrath has developed a range of delicious raw vegan treats for people looking for something healthy yet tasty “Emily Raw Food”‘ from Kilkenny College won the Food Award, while “Glitter Flicker’’ from Castlecomer Community School scooped the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for their perseverance and never give up attitude. The Craft Award was presented to “Gaming Shelf” a junior category entrant from Coláiste Eamann Rís, Callan.

The three “Kates” Kate Walsh, Kate J. Walsh and Mary Kate Walsh from the Presentation Secondary School otherwise known as the “Krafty Kates” received the Green Award for their business idea – creating quality handmade decorations using recycled material. The judges were impressed with the commercial potential associated with “Selkie - artisan Irish soap makers” from Loreto Secondary School, while “It’s a Sign” from St. Brigid’s College, Callan received the Creative Design Award. The overall school prize was presented to Loreto Secondary School at the Awards ceremony.

Praising the teachers and local schools involved in the programme, Catherine Hennessy, Business Advisor from the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, said: “The Student Enterprise Awards encourages and enables students to take on the world of business and develop an entrepreneurial mind-set. By fostering an enterprising culture in the classroom, the Local Enterprise Office is working with teachers and schools to help nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

The two category winners Glo-bál and Chibi-Chic will now prepare for the National Finals which will be held on Wednesday 22^nd April in Croke Park – a venue that Kilkenny people are no strangers too and are noted for achieving success there.