A plan to keep children active and a safe place for Eircodes have jointly won the Donegal regional final of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí enterprise competition for secondary school students.
The two emerging enterprises founded by local pupils from two Gaeltacht secondary schools from Páistí go 1k, Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Baile na Finne and Eir Adhmad, Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Árainn Mhór triumphed after an extremely competitive day kindly hosted by Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.
They will now go on to represent their region in the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí National Final.
Clár na gComhlachtaí is a hands-on business learning experience developed and delivered in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) and is taught by business volunteers through the medium of Irish to pupils in Gaeltacht regions.
750 Transition Year pupils from Gaeltacht regions in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath and Waterford have participated this year and challenged themselves to create, operate and manage their very own business.
The programme provided pupils with numerous opportunities for the development and reinforcement of important business, academic and leadership skills, which will be invaluable to them in the future.
The winning enterprises will progress to the National Final, the judges – Danielle Nic Pháidín and Aodh Mac Suibhne, Údarás na Gaeltachta – were thoroughly impressed with the innovative products and services on display and the entrepreneurial skills which were evident in all the teams.
Consisting of an interview with the judging panel and a public presentation in front of their fellow entrepreneurs, judges and other invited guests, the Regional Final is a test of each pupil’s communication as well as business skills.
Mícheál Mac Giolla Easpaig, Regional Manager, 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 pupil entrepreneurship and I’m sure we will be seeing more of these young entrepreneurs in the future. Congratulations to all the pupils involved and best of luck to the two winning teams at the National final.”
On behalf of Junior Achievement Ireland Karen McGinley 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 is currently planned to be held in the Connemara Coast Hotel on April 2nd 2020.
Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí Donegal Regional Final Winners:
Eir Adhmad, Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Árainn Mhór
Eir Adhmad are producers of handmade wooden letter holders with the unique Eircode specially engraved into each one. During their presentations the pupils demonstrated the importance of everyone having quick access to their unique Eircode by role playing a medical emergency in a rural setting.
Páistí go 1k, Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Baile na Finne
Páistí go 1k is a colourful and informative booklet for children bringing them through an easy to follow 7 day plan with an aim to run 1 km. The booklet is designed to help increase children’s physical activity and improve mental health through a plan that is fun and age appropriate.
