Leitrim's best young entrepreneurs have been announced this week at the County Final of Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE)

competition.  Run  by the Local Enterprise Offices, IBYE is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise

Ireland.  Now in its 4th year, this year attracted almost 1,500 applications nationwide.

Joe Lowe, Head of Enterprise in Leitrim explained: "The search to find Ireland's best young entrepreneur started back in August and we were

delighted with the calibre of the entries.  After a very successful Enterprise DAy, Bootcamp and County Final, I'm pleased to confirm that the future of

enterprise and job creation in Leitrim is bright."

There was joy for Richard Wilson, aged 30 of Wilson Machinery in Ballinamore as they were named winner of the Best Established Business Award.

They were joined by Selina Shanley, aged 33 of Leitrim Physiotherapy in Carrick on Shannon, who took the runner-up title in this category.

The Best Start Up category was a particulary hard-fought contest. Oz Ibrahmi, aged 30 of Zenoz Ltd in Carrick on Shannon was named winner while Grace Roche, aged 31 of Pretty Bird Limited in Leitrim Village was named runner-up

Many innovative new business concepts emerged in the Best Business Idea category.  The winner was Raymond McBride, aged 31 from Dromahair, while Sean Hayden, aged 30 from Carrick on Shannon scooped the runner-up title.

The adjudicators in this year's competition were Carole Brennan of Enterprise Ireland, Declan McNamara of Moran McNamara Accountants and Joe Lowe, Head of Enterprise in Leitrim.  The Awards Ceremony was attended by other special guests including Joseph Gilhooly, Temporary Chief Executive, Leitrim County Council, Councillor Finola Armstrong, Chairperson of Leitrim County Council and other invited guests.

IBYE Co-ordinator for Leitrim, Joe Lowe concluded "Each of the winners and runners-up willl share in an investment fund of up to €50,000 from the Local Enterprise Office to help grow and develop their business.  The 3 Category winners will go forward to the Regional Finals in Donegal in January.  The team in the Local Enterprise Office in Leitrim will be providing intensive supports between now and then to prepare them for the Regionals and hopefully Leitrim will have a representative at the IBYE National Finals in March."

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