IRISH LANGUAGE ENTREPRENEURS SCOOP TOP AWARD

Maegen Ní Fhallún and Ruraí Procter O’ Riain, Fifth-year business students from Gaelcholáiste Reachrann in Donaghmede Photo: Darren Kinsella

Young entrepreneurs from an Irish-speak ing secondary school in North Dublin scooped the top award at the Fingal Student Enterprise Awards

Fifth-year students from Gaelchólaiste Reachrann in Donaghmede won the Senior Category with their Irish language badge, the ‘Beal na nGael’ which translates as ‘Mouth of the Irish’.

The badge, which features a contemporary cartoon designed by the students, symbolises the wearer’s commitment to speak “cúpla focail” and according to their Business Studies Teacher, Ciaran O’ Rodaigh, the students have already sold over 3,000 badges around the country.

Fostering Irish Language

“The ‘Beal na nGael’ is part of a new campaign to encourage everyone to use whatever amount of Irish they already have. The demand for these badges was so strong that the students had to place a second order from the supplier, as they sold out a lot sooner than expected,” he said. ‘Service with a Smile’ from Castleknock Community College and ‘Circadian Dimensions’ from Loreto Convent in Swords shared the runnerup prize in the Senior Category at the awards, which were supported by MACE.

Stop Smoking Campaign

For the second year in a row, Stephen Kiernan from Grange Community School in Donaghmede won the top prize in his category. A second-year business studies student, he won the Intermediate Category with Shubar Said for their innovative ‘please give up smoking’ greetings card. ‘Crime Scene Colasite Choilm’ from Colaiste Choilm in Swords came second in the Intermediate Category with their board game featuring their principal and teachers as characters.

Air Travel

Inspired by the recent restrictions on toiletries through airport security, ‘Liquid Air’ from First Year in Colasite Choilm won the Junior Category. Their business idea consisted of a travel bag, filled with miniature versions of health and beauty products. ‘Diamondz’ from St. Mary’s School in Baldoyle, who designed decorative keychains, came second in the Junior Category.

The inaugural ‘Enterprising School Spirit Award’ went to St. Mary’s Secondary School in Baldoyle for their promotion of enterprise in the classroom.

Aptitude and Ambition

Speaking shortly after the awards were presented, Oisin Geoghegan, C.E.O. of the Fingal County Enterprise Board, paid tribute to the young entrepreneurs. “We have been working with our student entrepreneurs since the beginning of September, helping them to plan and research their business ideas. With the support of their teachers and parents, the students have made sales and profits, prepared a full business report and have competed in the County Final, which is a tremendous achievement.” He added, “our aim is to encourage these young entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses in the future and judging from their business ideas, they clearly have the aptitude and ambition to achieve this.”

The Winning Prize

The students from Gaelchóiste Reachrann have also won a three day educational trip to the town of El Prat de Llobregat near Barcelona, which is being organised by Fingal County Council. On May 13th, the Senior, Intermediate and Junior winners will represent Fingal at the National Student Enterprise Awards in Tullamore, Co Offaly.