WINNERS  OF  STUDENT  ENTERPRISE  PROGRAMME  COUNTY  FINAL

CURLEW  MOUNTAIN  FORGE

Jake Kennedy and Jack Murphy, 2 TY students in the Community College, Elphin, took part in the Student Enterprise Programme 2017/18.  They formed their own mini business called ‘Curlew Mountain Forge’ and together handcrafted a range of quality bespoke items for the home hardware and gifts sectors from recyclable materials.   They make a range of jewellery products in copper,  ie braclets, earrings and necklaces; hand forged steel implements, eg bottle openers, coat hooks, decorative wall hooks, fire pokers, key and napkin rings, kitchen utensil hangers, etc. , and a range of tools, eg hand made knives, axes and wood craft tools.

Both Jake and Jack studied metalwork since 1st year with a very enthusiastic metalwork teacher, developing a keen interest in this area and began to experiment at home with what they learned in school.   This work sparked a passion which was nurtured by furthering their education through utube clips and following master craftsmen such as Alec Steel and Michael Budd.   When the opportunity arose to take part in the Student Enterprise Programme and set up a business, they combined their talents and spent every spare evening and week-end developing and practising their skills and soon realised they were doing something they both really enjoyed.  They undertook market research which included surveying a large number of people at local craft fairs.   They researched similar products on websites such as Kilkenny Design and Esty.    They researched the current market trends by looking at what was trending through the Craft Council of Ireland.  This coupled with their own market research helped them decide which products to develop.  To promote their products they created a website, set up instagram and facebook accounts and showcased on Done Deal.   They take their business very seriously while thoroughly enjoying it and see it as their career path. 

This business won the School Final in Elphin Community College and then represented their school at the County Awards held on Friday, 9th March.   They will now represent Co. Roscommon in the National Final in Croke Park on Wednesday, 2nd May.

We wish Jake and Jack the very best of luck in Croke Park.