Mayo students qualify for final of Irish-speaking entrepreneur programme

Local students have qualified to represent Mayo in the All-Ireland Final for Irish-speaking student entrepreneurs.

A project from Coláiste Mhuire, Tourmakeady, will go forward to represent the county at this year’s Údarás na Gaeltachta - Clár na gComhlachtaí national final.

The final event will be held in Furbo, Co Galway next month. 

The Tourmakeady group fought off tough competition from students in Coláiste Pobail, Achill, and Coláiste Chomáin, Ross Port.

Comprised of Caoilfhionn Seoighe, Emily Ní Eanaigh, Aoife Ní Cheallaigh, Maidhc Óg Stundún, Niamh Nic Oireachtaigh, Sean Ó Éanachain, Molly Ní Ghradaigh and Micheal De Priondargast, Oibrí Adhmaide produces handmade wooden panels with customised designs and a brass chain.

The judging panel, which includes Sean O’Coisdealbha and Pamela Ní Thaidhg from Údarás na Gaeltachta, were very impressed with the performance of all the students and commended each team for their efforts.

Those nominated to represent the region in the national final were deemed to have a product at a more advanced level and some exciting plans to continue to build their business.

Following the competition, which was held in Aras Inis Gluaire, students were given a guided tour of Gteic Beal an Mhuirthead by Mary McHale and had an opportunity to meet local entrepreneurs including Wilde Atlantic Studios, and Cb Media.

More than 500 Transition Year students from Gaeltacht regions in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath & Waterford, had the opportunity to start their own businesses this year when participating in Clár na gComhlachtaí. 

Clár na gComhlachtaí is developed and delivered as a partnership between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI). 

Students create, operate and manage their own business as they move from the idea generation stage, to finance, production, marketing, sales right through to going to market. Údarás team members in the region encourage and support the schools’ efforts to shape these unique learning opportunities for students.

Speaking on behalf of Junior Achievement Ireland, Niamh Grealish, Area Manager in the West, said they are ‘delighted to partner with Údarás’ to promote ‘entrepreneurial skills among second level students in the region’. 

She extended her thanks to teachers ‘for their support’ and said these ‘learning opportunities would not happen without them’. 

“I would also like to congratulate all the students for starting their own businesses and being brave enough to enter the competition. Each of the teams today was a credit to their families and their schools” concluded Ms Grealish.

Europe-wide research shows students who participate in entrepreneurial education activities, such as Clár na gComhlachtaí, are more likely to start their own business, are at lower risk of being unemployed, and are more often in steady employment into adulthood. 

For more information on Údarás na Gaeltachta - Clár na gComhlachtaí, see their website.