Young entrepreneurs from County Donegal took to the stage at the Foróige NFTE Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at Croke Park last week.
The event brought together more than 120 young people and 24 youth-led businesses developed through the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) programme.
Donegal was one of the most strongly represented counties at the national final, with local students featuring in the Best Business, Best Innovation and Best Social Enterprise categories, including:
Caitlin McCauley – Katie’s Krafts, Loreto Community School, Milford
Katie’s Krafts – Caitlin McCauley Loreto Community School, Milford, Co. Donegal
Grace Mariya Jim – Scribblings, Errigal College, Letterkenny
Scribblings – Grace Mariya Jim Errigal College, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Deborah Diaz – EireKa!, Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny
EireKa! – Deborah Diaz Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Bradley Boyle & Cormac Crosson – Donegal Discount Card, St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny
Oisín Harrold – Blue Star Accessibility Ratings, St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar
Blue Star Accessibility Ratings – Oisín Harrold St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal, pictured with Erin Harrold
Gúna Gals – Muireann Ní Shuilleabháin, Ellie Ní Cnámhsí, Dáithi Ó Luagh, Ruben Ó Dochartaigh, Rosses Community School, Dungloe
Gúna Gals – Muireann Ní Shuilleabháin, Ellie Ní Cnámhsí, Dáithi Ó Luagh, Ruben Ó Dochartaigh Rosses Community School, Dungloe, Co. Donegal
Representing Donegal in the Best Business category was Caitlin McCauley from Loreto Community School, Milford, with her business Katie’s Krafts – a complete needle-felting kit created to share the joy of handmade craft with others.
“I never imagined something I made in class would bring me to Croke Park,” said Caitlin. “The NFTE programme gave me a way to build something I care about and gave me the confidence to share it with others.”
Each finalist was recognised for their innovation, resilience and purpose-driven thinking.
Odhrán O’Mahony, Chairperson of Foróige, said “Year after year, NFTE proves just how powerful youth potential really is. The creativity, courage and commitment we’ve seen today is inspiring. Programmes like this don’t just teach business skills—they help young people see themselves differently. They leave believing they have what it takes to shape their own future, and that belief is something they’ll carry with them for life.”
Over 6,100 young people across 24 counties participated in the NFTE programme this year, supported by more than 260 trained educators, youth workers and volunteers.
