Offaly’s Youngest Entrepreneurs Recognised at Awards Day

Primary school children from around Offaly have been rewarded for their entrepreneurial talents by the Local Enterprise Office Offaly as part of its "Most Enterprising Student" initiative.

The Local Enterprise Office Offaly runs an annual Most Enterprising Student Programme which offers primary schools throughout the county the opportunity to nominate their Most Enterprising Student (or group of students). It offers schools an opportunity to give recognition to a student who has set up and run their own business. Many of the schools who entered the competition held an “Enterprise Day” where the students could design, make and sell their products to fellow students and parents. The school then chose their winner from all the students who participated. With the wealth of entrepreneurial skills within the schools, this decision was often a very difficult one to make!

The awards were presented by Eamonn Dooley, Cathaoirleach, Offaly County Council and Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise at a ceremony in the Tullamore Court Hotel today (Thursday 14 April). The children who were nominated had the opportunity to display their products at the awards ceremony. They were also able to sell on the day, and business was particularly brisk this year, with many stands with queues to purchase the wonderful products on display. Some examples of the businesses run by students include free range eggs, greyhound breeding hand crafts and 1916 Commemoration Booklet.

Each school nominee was presented with a prize pack including a €50 book token and framed certificate.

17 schools entered the competition this year and nominated their Most Enterprising Student or Students.

The following schools and selected pupils were presented with their award by Eamonn Dooley, Cathaoirleach, Offaly County Council:

No

School Name

Student(s)

1

Gortnamona National School

Finnan Healion

2

Kinnitty National School

Darragh Coughlan

3

Cloneyhurke National School

Ryan Hunt, Aaron Hunt

4

Scoil Charthaigh Naofa, Rahan

Leah Gleeson

5

Shinrone National School

Cian Rafferty

6

Coolderry Central School

Sarah Larkin

7

St Colmans NS, Mucklagh

Shaun Tynan

8

Scoil Mhuire agus Chormaic

MicKayla Brummell

9

St Josephs NS, Arden View, Tullamore

Athas

10

Ballyboy NS

Elaine Lynch, Mikayla McDermott, Emily Mulrooney, Joanne Cushen

11

Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Rhode

Sixth Class

12

St Brendan's Boys NS, Birr

Danny Dwyer

13

St Philomena's National School, Tullamore

Hannagh Carey, Ellie Flanagan, Emma Leavy, Clodagh Spollen, Ruby Bennett

14

Scoil Bhride Primary School, Edenderry

Meabh Hynes, Aaron Murphy

15

Scoil Mhuire, Cloneygowan

Darragh Ryan

16

Scoil Phroinsias Naofa, Clara

Scott Tracey

17

Lumcloon National School

Sarah Kelly

Congratulations to all of Offaly’s Most Enterprising Students.  The Local Enterprise Office Offaly would like to express its sincere thanks to the teachers, parents and principals for their involvement in the scheme. 

All the photos from the event can be seen on our Facebook page.