WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL
Press Release
4th March 2025
WICKLOW STUDENTS SET FOR NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINAL
Teenage entrepreneurs from Greystones Community College and Colaiste Bhride will represent Wicklow at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Final in May, the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow has announced.
The students all took part in the County Wicklow final on 27th February, which was held at Clermont House, Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew. An estimated 140 students from 13 schools took part in the annual Award ceremony locally, while 18 schools and 1300 students participated in the 6 month Enterprise programme.
The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the country, saw over 30,000 students from just under 500 secondary schools take part in 2024/2025 event. The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Final.
In the Junior Category, Wicklow will be represented by Leonardo O’Sullivan, Louis Dalton, Bastien Zapletal, and Donnchadh Eager O’Brien from “Crazy Knots” at Greystones Community College.
In the Intermediate Category, the student representing Wicklow at the National Final is Oisin Ward from “NeuroLingo” at Greystones Community College.
In the Senior Category of the competition, Dominic O’Loughlin and Daniel Duffy from “Vest Pro” at Colaiste Bhride will represent Wicklow at the National Final.
Special guests at the Wicklow Final included MC Noel Davidson, Cllr Paul O’Brien, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, and inspirational speaker Eoin Tuohy, founder of Sports Impact Technologies Ltd. based in Kilmacanogue.
During the event the mini businesses are visited by a number of judges who assess their stand and their presentation, separately the business founders also deliver a business pitch in the Dragon’s Den. There are over 7 prizes awarded in addition to the overall prizes, these range from Best Innovation, Best Intellectual Property, Best Sales and Marketing, Best Stand and Best Presentation. (See full list below)
Speaking at the county final, Cllr Paul O’Brien said: “I’m so impressed by the variety and high standard of the mini companies on show here. You can tell that this was a great learning experience for the students who present their products with such confidence and flair. The future is bright for our next generation of entrepreneurs!”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, commented: “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and it’s inspiring to see young people developing practical solutions to real-world problems. These students have shown that entrepreneurship isn’t just about big ideas—it’s about finding smart, workable solutions that make a difference. I’m excited to see how they represent Wicklow at the National Finals on 8th May in Mullingar.”
Head of Enterprise, Vibeke Delahunt of Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, congratulated the students, saying: “We have a very successful student enterprise programme here in Wicklow, with over 1300 students from 18 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 the 8th May, and we will all hope to be there to support them. 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 teamwork, will help them become more entrepreneurial throughout their future careers.”
The Wicklow students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland at the Student Enterprise Programme National Final which takes place in the Mullingar Park Hotel on the 8th May.
Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 380,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business. The Student Enterprise Programme also has a new range of online resources for 2024/2025 at www.StudentEnterprise.ie which will feature regular blogs and houses a full range of Student Enterprise resources for students and teachers.
Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.
Participating schools in Student Enterprise Programme
Arklow CBS
Avondale Community College
Blessington Community College
Coláiste Bhríde Carnew
Coláiste Chill Mhantáin
Coláiste Chraobh Abhann
Dominican College
East Glendalough School
Gaelcholáiste na Mara
Glenart College
Greystones Community College
Loreto Secondary School
Presentation College, Wicklow
Scoil Chonglais Post Primary School
St David's Holy Faith Secondary
St. Kevin's Community College
St. Kilian's Community School
St. Mary's College
Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School
Awards
Senior Category
Senior Winner
- Enterprise: Vest Pro
- School: Colaiste Bhride
- Teacher: Mary Rothwell
- Students: Dominic O’Loughlin & Daniel Duffy
Senior 2nd Place
- Enterprise: Jolly Jersey Jumpers
- School: Dominican College
- Teacher: Lisa O'Shaugnessy
- Students: Muireann Ring, Caoimhe Coffey, Lauren Wildes and Keira Tyndal
Senior 3rd Place
- Enterprise: Pampered Puppies
- School: St. Kevins College
- Teachers: Nicola Rigley
- Students: Sarah Coyne, Millie Pearse, Grace Cullen, Aisling Coogan and Lily Allen.
Intermediate Category
Intermediate 3rd Place
- Enterprise: Bobbys Baking
- School: Arklow CBS
- Teacher: Bobby Sherwood
- Student: Cian Murphy
Intermediate 2nd Place
- Enterprise: Paper Plane Gifts
- School: Loreto College Bray
- Teacher: Nicola Hennessy
- Students: Eva Yu
Intermediate Winner
- Enterprise: NeuroLingo
- School: Greystones Community College
- Teachers: Isabel Murphy
- Student: Oisin Ward
Junior Category
Junior 3rd Place
- Enterprise: Next Level Lockers
- School: Greystones Community College
- Teacher: Isabel Murphy
- Student: Rory Pappas
Junior 2nd Place
- Enterprise: OCC Coasters
- School: Greystones Community College
- Teacher: Isabel Murphy
- Students: Oisin Devlin, Calum Farrell and Cillian Barrett
Junior Winner
- Enterprise: Crazy Knots
- School: Greystones Community College
- Teacher: Isabel Murphy
- Students: Leonardo O’Sullivan, Louis Dalton, Bastien Zapletal and Donnchadh Eager O’Brien
Other Categories
Innovation Award
- Enterprise: Brockagh Buckers
- School: Avondale Community College
- Teacher: Caolan Regan
- Student: Emily Devitt
Best Presentation
- Enterprise: Krafty Kreations
- School: Gaelcholaiste Na Mara
- Teacher: Ciara Doyle
- Students: Grace Dempsey & Aoife Jo Corcoran
Best Stand
- Enterprise: Wicklow Christmas Decorations
- School: Colaiste Chill Mhaintain
- Teacher: Geraldine Davitt
- Student: Hanna Wynne
IP Award
- Enterprise: Evergreen Candles
- School: Colaiste Chroabh Abhann
- Teacher: Geraldine Davitt
- Students: Faye Kane & Rebecca Cahill Curran
Sustainability Award
- Enterprise: CarboPrint Calculator
- School: Colaiste Chroabh Abhann
- Teacher: Aoife Counihan
- Student: Lauren Coffey
Sales & Marketing Award
- Enterprise: The Jam Garden
- School: Avondale Community College
- Teacher: Caolan Regan
- Student: Molly Byrne
Special Commendation
- Enterprise: Music Mentors
- School: East Glendalough School
- Teacher: Mairead Sutton
- Students: Ross Doyle, Noah Atkinson & Ewan Armstrong
&
- Enterprise: Infinity Frames
- School: Glenart College
- Teacher: Laura Gibbons
- Student: Sara Forde
______________________________________________________________
Junior Winners from Greystones Community College – ‘Crazy Knots’
From L-R: Cllr. Paul O'Brien, Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council, Teacher Ms. Isabel Murphy, Students Leonardo O’Sullivan, Louis Dalton, Bastien Zapletal and Donnchadh Eager O’Brien, Ms. Vibeke Delahunt - Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Ms. Leonora Earls Director of Services
Intermediate Winner from Greystones Community College, NeuroLingo
Left to Right: Paul O'Brien – Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council, Teacher Isabel Murphy Vibeke Delahunt - Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Student Oisin Ward, Ms. Leonora Earls - Director of Services
Senior Winners from Colaiste Bhride - Vest Pro
From L-R: Paul O'Brien, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council, Students Dominic O’Loughlin and Daniel Duffy, Vibeke Delahunt - Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Teacher Ms. Mary Rothwell & Ms. Leonora Earls Director of Services
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
