Meath schools celebrating success at Student Enterprise Challenge
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The prize for best five-minute pitch was won by a quartet of students from St Ciaran’s Community School.Image 2 of 3
Ciarán McLoughlin, (18) from Boardsmill, Trim, pictured with Gary O’Meara from Meath Enterprise, won the first prize of €600 and an additional €600 for his school after his business, Ciarán’s Yarns, was named as the winner of the annual competition for second-level students in Kells.Image 3 of 3
Pobailscoil Rath Chairn student Tadhg Flynn with his first prize for the best new business idea in the Student Enterprise Challenge for his mini-company Tarrtháil. Also pictured (left) is his teacher, Shane McGowan, and Meath Enterprise CEO, Gary O’Meara.A young Dunshaughlin Community College student emerged as the winner of best start-up company at this year’s Student Enterprise Challenge, organised by Meath Enterprise.
Ciarán McLoughlin, an 18 year-old Leaving Cert student from Boardsmill, Trim, won the first prize of €600 and an additional €600 for his school after his business, Ciarán’s Yarns, was named as the winner of the annual competition for second-level students in Kells.
Ciarán’s business produces high-quality wool yarns from his flock of Border Leicester and Ryeland sheep, selling the product privately online and wholesale via retailers and knitwear labels.
Top prize for best new business idea went to Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn student Tadhg Flynn for his Tarrtháil company, which makes eco-friendly t-shirts. Tadhg won €400 and his school also received a similar amount.
The prize for best five-minute pitch was won by a quartet of students from St Ciaran’s Community School, Kells: Finn Dwyer, Josh Renihan, Ethan Tidbury and Niall O’Reilly for their transition year mini-business idea, Model Airlines, which sells model airplane kits which has the added benefit of teaching customers about aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering. The students and their school each received €250.
The competition was held in the Kells Enterprise Centre and judged by a panel comprising Minister of State for Business, Employment & Retail, Damien English; Meath Enterprise CEO, Gary O’Meara; Rosita Moyles, director, JM Food Services, and Conor Cogan, project co-ordinator, Meath Enterprise. All cash prizes and trophies for this year’s Student Enterprise Challenge were sponsored by Meath Enterprise, eCOMM Merchant Solutions and JM Food Services.
Full results: Best start-up – 1 (€600 + €600 to school), Ciarán’s Yarns, Dunshaughlin Community College (Ciarán McLoughlin); 2 (€300), Model Airlines, St Ciaran’s Community School, Kells (Finn Dwyer, Josh Renihan, Ethan Tidbury & Niall O’Reilly); 3 (€150), Eastern Machinery Sales, St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan (Mark Diamond & Aaron McBride); 4 (€75), EZ Mix, St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan (Noel Kavanagh, Daniel McDermott & Dylan Fitzsimons).
Best new business idea – 1 (€400 + €400 to school), Tarrtháil, Coláiste Pobail, Ráth Chairn (Tadhg Flynn); 2 (€200), Wool Savers, St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan (Ben Clarke, Matthew McDonough & Daniel Gavagan); 3 (€100), Element Gang Reshuffle, St Oliver’s Post-Primary School, Oldcastle (Cailan Acan); 4 (€50), Quizzards, Dunshaughlin Community College (Dominic Odujebe, Jesse Osas & Jack Allen).
Best five-minute pitch – 1 (€250 + €250 to school), Model Airlines, St Ciaran’s Community School, Kells (Finn Dwyer, Josh Renihan, Ethan Tidbury & Niall O’Reilly).