The energy in the room was simply electric yesterday as hundreds of secondary school students eager to showcase their innovative business ideas and entrepreneurial spirit, crowded into the Fairways Hotel for the Louth Student Enterprise Awards 2024.

“We had a fantastic range of ideas and enterprises on show this year” said head judge Claire Cunningham. “It genuinely made selecting winners, across all categories, a real challenge. But it is also really inspiring to see so many local young people so excited and passionate about entrepreneurship as a future career opportunity.” 

Over 1,200 students from 18 schools across the county participated in this year’s Student Enterprise Programme which is collaboration between Local Enterprise Office Louth and local schools delivered by Fionnuala Rogers and Francis Verling.

During the programme, students learn how to create a business idea, then they start and grow their own business. The highpoint is the county final where students get to present their businesses and future potential to a panel of expert judges. 

The senior category was won by Colour Mo Cheantar which specialises in creating colouring books for Irish towns and cities with team members Laura MacArtain, Luke Crilly and Luke Duffy from St. Mary’s College, Dundalk, they are supported by their teacher Shane McDonnell. The initial colouring book, focused on Dundalk, features 12 original artworks created by the team, along with a short summary of the places’ history.  

Runner-up in the senior category was a project from of Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda called Twine Time which is eco-friendly alternative to a normal cleaning sponge made out of twine which is a sustainable and natural material and offers a guilt-free cleaning solution with biodegradability and reduced environmental impact.

Thanks to the materials it’s made from, the sponge can be washed in a washing machine or dishwasher so, unlike a normal plastic sponge, it doesn’t need to be constantly replaced. Twine Time was created by Shanze Chaudhry, Avery Kulajeva, Amelie Douet and Emmy Carpen of Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda, with support from their teacher Susan Tarrant. 

The Intermediate category winner was a project called MK Keyrings by Mark Kelly from Scoil Uí Mhuírí in Dunleer which uses a 3D printer to produce 3d key rings. Mark was supported by his teacher Martina Farrell.   

Runner up in the Intermediate category was awarded to Kate Quinn, Minahil Majeed and Reem Ammar of Bits and Bobs from St Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk supported by their teacher Eimear McCreesh. Bits and Bobs produce a range of trendy hand-made products including jewellery made from recycled beads and beauty products including lip gloss. 

Lego Warriors, the creation of Dundalk Grammar School students Islagh Hollywood, Ivanna Malone and Abigail Kerin, who were supported by their teacher Elizabeth McCabe. This enterprising team repurposes old Lego to make unique table centrepieces, birthday party décor, seasonal crafts and childrens’ bedroom decor. 

The runner-up prize in the Junior category went to Designs by Ash. Young entrepreneur Ashling Maher of Drogheda Grammar School designs and manufactures a range of snoods, hand-knitted from alize puffy yarn.  A student, Ashling was supported by her teacher Alma Carney. 

Winners of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior categories, along with the winner of the My Entrepreneurial Journey, will go forward to represent Louth in the Student Enterprise Awards national final in Mullingar in May. 

Special congratulations also to teacher Deirdre Curran, of O’Fiaich College, Dundalk who received the Enterprise Educators Award. Winning this award is testament to her work and dedication in promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship in the school environment. 

There were also seven category award winners, recognising the expertise and skills demonstrated by the young entrepreneurs. 

The Innovation Award winner was Spórt Na nÓg, with team members Sophie Gordon, Katie English, Aoibhin Finnegan and Mary Kate Mulholland from St. Louis Secondary School, Dundalk, supported by their teacher Roisin Mallon. 

The Best Social Media & Marketing Award was won by The Candle Company with team members Zoe Durnin, Erin Finnegan and Edie Henry along with their teacher Eimear McCreesh from St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk. 

Just Wood, scooped the Sustainability Award. Their entrepreneurial team are Tadhg Flanagan, Harry Sayers, Tiernan Bruton and Ryan Connolly from Ballymakenny College, Drogheda supported by their teacher Shauna Kellegher. 

Drogheda Made Inspiration won the Best Creative Business Award. Team members Conor Black, Jack Heffernan and Karl Leonard from St. Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda, have been supported by their teacher Ciaran Roe. 

The Best Display Award was won by Bó Tag Keyrings. Sinead Fitzpatrick flew the flag for Scoil Uí Mhuírí, Dunleer and was supported by her teacher Martina Farrell. 

The Best Social Enterprise Award went to The Joes Christmas Cards with team members Alex McHugh, Jamie Rock and Cathal Mulholland, from St. Joseph's Secondary School, Drogheda, supported by their teacher Brian Lynch. Raising €6,000 for local charities, the judges were really impressed by the impact of their social enterprise. 

Cormac Broe and Cillian Forrester won the Best Service Business Award with their enterprise, Chores Outdoors. Supported by their teacher Martin O’Connor, they are pupils at De La Salle College, Dundalk. 

Sarah Mallon of Local Enterprise Office Louth concludes, “We wish our 4 finalists the very best of luck as they represent Louth at the national finals in May. Follow the competition using #StudentEnterprise on social media and discover more by visiting www.StudentEnterprise.ie. And remember, no matter what age or what stage of business you are at, your Local Enterprise Office is always here to support you. You can find out more about our supports and services by visiting www.localenterprise.ie/Louth”.