Home News Business In Pictures: Laois students set for Croke Park appearance in entrepreneurship finals

In Pictures: Laois students set for Croke Park appearance in entrepreneurship finals

Senior winners with their business Hurlr. Aidan Lynam, Daniel Aylward, Evan Farrell and Donil Mathew, (missing from picture Brian Carroll) from Heywood Community School pictured with Honor Deevy, LEO Laois; John Mulholland chief executive Laois County Council; Linda Meredith, LEO Laois; Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Jenny Collier, Laois Partnership (judge). Front: Caroline Hofman, CEO Laois Chamber Alliancde (judge); Mark Clancy, LEO and Seamus Doran, LEO Carlow (judge) at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Local Enterprise Office Laois have announced that teenage entrepreneurs from Heywood Community School and Portlaoise College will represent Laois at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals on Friday, May 5.

The Finals make a return to Croke Park for the first time since 2019.

540 students from seven Laois schools took part in the annual programme locally and 84 students made it to the Laois County Final on March 14 in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.

This enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 25,000 students from just under 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2021/2022. 

The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Finals.

In the Junior Category, Sarah-Kate Dunne from Portlaoise College will represent Laois at the National Finals with her business Golden Flame Wax Works. 

In the Intermediate Category, Dan Bergin, Hannah Clancy, Róisín Bradley and Erin Costigan from Heywood Community School will represent the county at the National Finals with their business Bud to Bloom.

In the Senior Category of the competition, Laois will be represented on May 5 by Daniel Aylward, Aidan Lynam, Brian Caroll, Evan Farrell and Donil Mathew from Heywood Community School with their business Hurlr.

In the “My Entrepreneurial Journey” competition, two students from Portlaoise College, who won awards at the County Final, will have their projects put forward for judging at national level. They are Sean Cheah at Junior Level and Aoibheann O’Sullivan at Intermediate Level. 

Special guests at the Laois County Final included PJ Kelly, Leas Cathaoirleach, Laois County Council, John Mulholland, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, as well as speaker and entrepreneur, Una Sinnott who told the story of how she set up a healthy snack food business called “Nutorious Nutrition”. 

The county has a successful track record in the student enterprise competition. Last year, Oisin Grundy of Portlaoise College was the outright winner of the Creative Business Idea Video Competition at Junior Cycle Level and Mosa Hafeez, also from Portlaoise College took 2nd place at Intermediate Level in the My Entrepreneurial Journey Competition. 

Speaking at the county final, Honor Deevy of Local Enterprise Office Laois congratulated the students, saying: “We have a very successful student enterprise programme here in Laois, with over 540 students from seven local schools taking part this year.

“Our national finalists are excellent ambassadors for the programme and we wish them the very best of luck on May 5.

“In what has been a particularly challenging couple of years for students, the programme has offered them an outlet outside of the usual school demands. 

“What our students are learning from the programme is that with the right supports and encouragement, they can take an idea from the classroom and develop it into a real-life business.

“The skills they learn along the way, such as business planning, market research, selling and team-work, will help them become more entrepreneurial throughout their future careers.”

Local students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals, taking place at Croke Park in Dublin on May 5.  

Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 350,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business. Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.

Golden Flame Waxworks by Sarah-Kate Dunne from Portlaoise College is presented with her award for Junior Category winner by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
BudtoBloom. Róisín Bradley, Hannah Clancy, Dan Bergin and Erin Costigan from Heywood CS are presented with their award for Intermediate Category winner by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
EcoJeta by Arjeta Kovaci from Scoil Chríost Rí is presented with her Special Merit award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Phone Charmz. Eve Doyle, Jessica Beere, Jill Sheehy and Hannah Ging from Scoil Chríost Rí are presented with their Special Merit award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
The Merka Shop. Miriam Kuska and Ewa Korzeniowska from Dunamase College are presented with their Special Merit award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Tony’s Timber. Tony Walsh from St. Mary’s CBS is presented with his Special Merit award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Kozy Kuts. Aine Rosney, Sophie Flynn and Sionna Phelan from Dunamase College are presented with their Special Merit award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Repurposed Records. Saskia van Amersfoorth, Kate Cowley and Ella Delaney from Dunamase College are presented with their Special Merit award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Scentsational. Evan Holden and Shane Walsh from St. Mary’s CBS are presented with their Third Prize award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
R32 Jewellery. Aoife Delaney, Ali Meally and Sarah Bastick from Mountrath Community School are presented with their Special Merit award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Senior runners up, Budget Bro. Aaron Keane, Cathal Ging, Aaron Branagan and Jack Murrell, from St. Mary’s CBS are presented with their award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Senior winners with their business Hurlr. Evan Farrell, Aidan Lynam, Daniel Aylward and Donil Mathew, (missing from picture Brian Carroll) from Heywood Community School are presented with their award by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Senior winners with their business Hurlr. Aidan Lynam, Daniel Aylward, Evan Farrell and Donil Mathew, (missing from picture Brian Carroll) from Heywood Community School pictured with judges, Seamus Doran, LEO Carlow; Caroline Hofman, Laois Chamber Alliance and Jenny Collier, Laois Partnership at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Senior winners with their business Hurlr. Aidan Lynam, Daniel Aylward, Evan Farrell and Donil Mathew, (missing from picture Brian Carroll) from Heywood Community School pictured with Linda Meredith, LEO Laois; John Mulholland chief executive Laois County Council; Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC; Honor Deevy, LEO Laois and Mark Clancy, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Senior winners with their business Hurlr. Aidan Lynam, Daniel Aylward, Evan Farrell and Donil Mathew, (missing from picture Brian Carroll) from Heywood Community School pictured with Linda Meredith, LEO Laois and Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Senior winners with their business Hurlr. Aidan Lynam, Daniel Aylward, Evan Farrell and Donil Mathew, (missing from picture Brian Carroll) from Heywood Community School pictured with John Mulholland chief executive Laois County Council; Linda Meredith, LEO Laois and Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Senior winners with their business Hurlr. Aidan Lynam, Daniel Aylward, Evan Farrell and Donil Mathew, (missing from picture Brian Carroll) from Heywood Community School pictured with Honor Deevy, LEO Laois; John Mulholland chief executive Laois County Council; Linda Meredith, LEO Laois; Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Jenny Collier, Laois Partnership (judge). Front: Caroline Hofman, CEO Laois Chamber Alliancde (judge); Mark Clancy, LEO and Seamus Doran, LEO Carlow (judge) at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Students at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Chloe Bray and Lucy McLoughlin from Mountmellick CS performing at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Gluten Free Foods. Aoife Fitzpatrick from Scoil Chríost Rí at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Ecojeta. Arjeta Kovaci from Scoil Chríost Rí at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Aroma Wax Melts. Eva Roche and Ellie Molloy from Dunamase College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Rainbow Artisan. Laoise Kirwan from Mountrath Community School at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
With Love. Róisín O’Reilly and Shauna Traynor from Scoil Chríost Rí at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Phone Charmz. Eve Doyle, Hannah Ging, Jessica Beere and Jill Sheehy from Scoil Chríost Rí at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Loil. Eimear O’Boyle, Isabella Smith, Aisha Kelly, Eva Roe, missing from picture Mariana Franco De Lima from Scoil Chríost Rí at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Styll Smoothies. Craig O’Loughlin, Cormac Howson and Ben O’Connor from St. Mary’s CBS at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Heavenly Hampers. Lucy Doyle, Chloe Tsang Kane and Iona McHugh Hendy from Dunamase College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Dunaclays. Aibha Fennell Rowney and Ciara Duff from Dunamase College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Crochet Creations. Emma Sheehan and Keeva Gallagher from Scoil Chríost Rí at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Cookieology. Caoimhe Murphy from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Sweet Scentz. Aoife Hennessy, Cliodhna Creegan, Mia Dunne and Nadine Lawlor from Mountrath Community School at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Renewable Xmas Decs for U. Luke Wallis from Mountrath Community School at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Sonleth’s Hot Drinks. Solomon Dunne, Conleth Murphy and Joshua Avis from Heywood CS at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Heywood TY Hoodies. Kate O’Connell, Lauren Rowan and Aoibhinn McKinney from Heywood CS at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Easywayy. Ghazwan Al Ghazawi from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Cakes & Bakes. Bobby Quinn and Robyn Neylon-Phipps from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
The Wicks Club. James Crean, Lucy Behan-Deegan and Anjelika Ferreira from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Press Enter To Begin. Jonathan Murphy from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Browneees. Vivien Fitzpatrick from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Resin Creations. Kelly MacNamara and Sophie Sullivan from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Orchid. Amina Adnan from Portlaoise College at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Jewellery By Me. Molly Byrne from Scoil Chríost Rí at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Exploding Goats by Sean Cheah from Portlaoise College is presented with his award for My Entreperneurial Journey Competition-Junior Level by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Aoibheann O’Sullivan from Portlaoise College is presented with her winning award for My Entreperneurial Journey Competition-Intermediate Level by Leas-cathaoirleach of Laois County Council PJ Kelly MCC and Linda Meredith, LEO Laois at the County Final of the Student Enterprise awards

Names of participating schools in Student Enterprise Programme 

Scoil Chríost Rí

Mountrath Community School 

St. Mary’s CBS

Dunamase College

Portlaoise College

Heywood Community School

Mountmellick Community School

 

Winning Enterprises

Junior Category Results

Business Name: Golden Flame Wax Works

Description: Affordable homemade wax melts and candles.

Student: Sarah-Kate Dunne

School: Portlaoise College   


Intermediate Category Results

Business Name: Bud to Bloom

Description: Sustainable flower kits allowing you to grow your own flowers from seed.

Students: Dan Bergin, Hannah Clancy, Róisín Bradley, Erin Costigan

School: Heywood Community School


Senior Category Results

Business Name: Hurlr

Description: Hurl Holder that attaches to a bike for ease and safety of carriage.

Students: Daniel Aylward, Aidan Lynam, Brian Caroll, Evan Farrell, Donil Mathew

School: Heywood Community School


My Entrepreneurial Journey 

Junior Level Winner

Business Name: Exploding Goats

Description: Game Production and Consultancy. 

Student: Sean Cheah

School: Portlaoise College


Intermediate Level Winner

Business Name: Fice

Description: Temperature controlled flasks for children. 

Student: Aoibheann O’Sullivan

School: Portlaoise College

You can check out a selection of Alf Harvey images from the event below.

SEE ALSO – St Patrick’s Day: The full list of parades on around the county this Friday