Budding entrepreneurs from two Irish-speaking schools, Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr and Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, An Spidéal, competed in the Údarás na Gaeltachta-Clár na gComhlachtaí 2018 at the national final in Na Forbacha recently.
Coláiste Ghobnait's Tara O'Brien and David Barbotin (Preab Ltd ), who were placed third overall in the national final, created speakers for mobile phones which are made from 100 per cent recyclable materials. Preab Ltd was mentored by Meadbh Seoighe from Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Mo Bhaile Fearainn from Coláiste Chroí Mhuire comprising Áine Ní Laoi, Aisling Ní Chonghaile, Khaliun Ní Fhloinn, Róisín Ní Dhiompsaigh, Siobhán Ní Neachtain, Katie Mullarkey, Aoibhin Ní Dhomhnaill and Kate Scott, designed and sold decorative signs depicting local place names and heritage. Mo Bhaile Fearainn was mentored by Miriam Ní Néill from Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Edging out competition from around the country, however, was the winning company Boue Cosmetics from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.
More than 750 transition year students from Gaeltacht regions in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath and Waterford, enjoyed hands-on learning experiences and started their own businesses this year. After regional finals in Kerry, Mayo, Galway and Donegal, eight teams were ultimately selected to proceed to the national final.
Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said it was inspiring to witness such enterprising young people at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí 2018 National Final.
"Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their business ideas indicates that enterprise in the Gaeltacht areas is in safe hands," he said. "Údarás na Gaeltachta are proud to help promote student entrepreneurship in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland and I’m sure we will be seeing more of these young entrepreneurs in the future.”
