The Longford County Student Enterprise Finals took place on Tuesday, 21st March at the Longford Arms Hotel. Teenage entrepreneurs from Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard and Moyne Community College were the overall winners on the day and will now go forward to represent County Longford at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on Friday 5th May 2023. 

Over 250 students from across the county took part in this year’s programme, with over 110 students from 35 mini businesses covering three categories (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) exhibiting on the day.  Some highlights of this remarkable event are as follows:

Senior Category Winners - Erin Flynn and Rachel Higgins from An Crú Capaill (Ardscoil Phadraig,Granard).

Pictured from left: Michael Nevin Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office, Paddy Mahon, Longford County Council Chief Executive, Linda Reilly (their teacher), Erin Flynn and Rachel Higgins from An Crú Capaill, Ardscoil Phadraig Granard, Senator Michael Carrigy, and Cllr Colin Dalton Granard Municipal District Cathaoirleach

Intermediate Category winner - Caitlin Morris of Clip Clop Designs (Moyne Community School)

Pictured from left: Senator Michael Carrigy, Michael Nevin Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office, Caitlin Morris of Clip Clop Designs, Paddy Mahon, Longford County Council Chief Executive, and Cllr Colin Dalton Granard Municipal District Cathaoirleach

Junior Category winner- Bronwyn McGarry, Michael Murtagh, Holly McIntyre and Gavin Murphy from Big Move 2 Big School (Moyne Community School)

Pictured from left: Senator Michael Carrigy, Barbara Heslin, Longford County Council Director of Services, Michael Nevin, Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office, the winners from Big Move 2 Big School, Cllr Colin Dalton, Granard Municipal District Cathaoirleach, and Paddy Mahon, Longford County Council Chief Executive.

Senior Category Runner Up: Luke Coughlan, Jack Gunning, Lorcan Gunning and Ryan Murphy from BVS School Half Zips (Ballymahon Vocational School) with Cllr Mick Cahill, Ballymahon Municipal District

Intermediate Category Runner Up: Lucy Maher, Erin Murray, Doireann Ní Mhurchu, Ava O'Loughlin and Rachel O'Loughlin from Jolly Jars (Meán Scoil Mhuire, Longford)

Pictured from left: Senator Michael Carrigy, Michael Nevin Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office, the winners, Cllr Uremu Adejinmi Longford Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Paddy Mahon, Longford County Council Chief Executive.

Junior Category Runner Up: Ben Lynch and Daniel Reilly from BD Trees (Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard)

Best Interview Winner: Lauren Dobson and Eirinn Smith from Pegtastic Presents (Moyne Community School) with Deputy Joe Flaherty

Best Business Report Winner:  Ryan Keogh, Daniel Lee and Oran Lyons from Bottles 2U Ltd. (St. Mel’s College, Longford)

Innovation Winner  Evelina Merkelyte, Katie Coppinger, Cora Nulty and Jessica Gorman from Bandoggos (Meán Scoil Mhuire, Longford)

Special Merit Winner Lily Russell and Eva Kelly from Make It Sweet (Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon)

Special Merit Winner: Ella Reilly, Grace Gannon, Mary Reilly and Niamh Kiernan from CMG Bottles (Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School, Granard)

Educator of the Year Winner:  Linda Reilly (front left) from Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard, pictured with representing teachers from the various schools taking part