Gaeltacht Students Win Regional Entrepreneurial Crown

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Udaras Munster Reg Final Pic3

Students from Coinnle do Chromghlinn, Colaiste Ghobnatan, Ballymakeera, County Cork

An Innovative Healthcare product and an Irish language Board Game are the winning projects in this year’s Munster Regional Final of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí, an enterprise competition for second level students.

The two emerging enterprises founded by local students from Colaiste Ghobnatan, Ballymakeera, County Cork and Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne, County Kerry triumphed after an extremely competitive day. The winning teams will now go on to represent their region in the National Final of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí.

Clár na gComhlachtaí is a hands-on business learning experience developed and delivered in partnership with JAI and is taught in-class by business volunteers through the Irish language to students in Gaeltacht regions.  

750 Transition Year students from Gaeltacht regions in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath & Waterford have participated this year and challenged themselves to create, operate and manage their very own business! The programme provided students with numerous opportunities for the development and reinforcement of important business, academic and leadership skills, which will be invaluable to them in the future.

While the winning enterprises will progress to the National Final, the judges, Máire Ni Mhainin, Udaras na Gaeltachta and Micheál Ó Cinneide, Dingle Credit Union were thoroughly impressed with the innovative products and services and the entrepreneurial skills which were evident in all of the student teams.

Udaras Group ShotTaking into account the current public health situation the Regional Final consisted of an online interview with the judging panel as well as the submission of a detailed business report, a true test of each student’s communication as well as business skills.

Referring to the impact of the programme on local entrepreneurship Joe McHugh TD, Minister of Education & Skills said, “I would like to congratulate Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland for promoting a culture of entrepreneurship among young people in the Gaeltacht areas. The entrepreneurial skills and practical business experience developed through Clár na gComhlachtaí will stand these young people in good stead and ultimately benefit the economy of the Gaeltacht.”

Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, commented: “It was fantastic to witness such enterprising young people at the Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí Regional Final.  Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their business ideas indicates that enterprise in the Gaeltacht areas is in safe hands. Údarás na Gaeltachta are proud to help promote student entrepreneurship and I’m sure we will be seeing more of these young entrepreneurs in the future. Congratulations to all the students involved and best of luck to the two winning teams at the National Final.”

On behalf of JAI, Liz McAvoy, Cork and Kerry Area Manager commented: “The Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí encourages students to maximize their potential and provides them with both business skills and life skills for their future. Thank you to the participating students, their teachers and business mentors for their dedication in showcasing the students’ entrepreneurial talent and also to Údarás na Gaeltachta for ensuring these students had this exciting real-to-life opportunity.”

The two winning teams will join other regional final winners to participate in the Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí National Final which will be hosted online on 7 May 2020.

 Winners:

Coinnle do Chromghlinn, Colaiste Ghobnatan, Ballymakeera, County Cork

Inspired by the ordeal of a fellow student who underwent surgery in Crumlin Hospital, Coinnle do Chromghlinn created a range of unique healing candles.

Rí na Bhfocal, Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne, County Kerry

Rí na Bhfocal is a new interactive Irish language board game for 2-6 players that can be adapted to be played by children and adults of all ages.

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