JA Europe Company of the Year Competition.

Four young entrepreneurs from Corca Dhuibhne in the Kerry Gaeltacht hope to pocket a prize next week, when they represent Ireland at the JA Europe Company of the Year Competition.

‘Daedalus Sports’ was established by Cian Mac Gearailt, Pádraig Ó Muircheartaigh, Cathal Ó Fearghail and Tadhg Ó Cathail from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in An Daingean, Co. Kerry, and the young Kerry entrepreneurs will represent Ireland at the JA Europe Company of the Year Gen-E Competition which takes place in Istanbul, Turkey from the 11th to 14th July. This is the fifth time that the winners of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Clár na gComhlachtaí entrepreneurship competition will have the opportunity to participate at the European level of the competition.

Daedalus Sports is an innovative minicompany, producing sports socks, with a mini sock-pocket, ideal for stowing gumshields, bank cards or any small item for safekeeping. Since they commenced production, the product has attracted great interest. To scoop the national Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí competition in April, the Kerry Gaeltacht entrepreneurs fought off stiff opposition from transition year students from all over the country with 566 students from Gaeltacht schools in Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford completing Clár na gComhlachtaí this year.  The national final gave Daedalus Sports valuable experience in competing against other top-quality projects and they managed to outperform them all based on the quality of their innovative business idea and overall performance on the day.  The successful company were mentored by their teachers in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, who helped them to develop their business idea along with support from Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland executives.

Public Choice Award

Daedalus Sport is also eligible for the Public Choice Award, which will be decided through an online public vote here https://expo.gen-e.eu/.  The voting is now open for the duration of the competition where the public can vote early and often for the Kerry entrepreneurs!

During the course of the European Final, Cian, Pádraig, Cathal and Tadhg will present their product, company, progress and plans to the judges and to other competing junior entrepreneurs from other EU member states.

Tomás Ó Síocháin, Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive commented:

“Údarás na Gaeltachta is proud to be sending a team of the calibre of Daedalus Sports to Europe not only to represent Ireland whilst showcasing Irish creativity and imagination but also to represent our unique Gaeltacht areas.   It is inspiring to witness such enterprising young people participate at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí 2023.  Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their business ideas indicates that future entrepreneurship in the Gaeltacht is safe. We wish Cian, Pádraig, Cathal and Tadhg and everyone at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne the very best of luck.”

Helen Raftery, CEO of Junior Achievement Ireland added:

“Clár na gComhlachtaí, supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta has enabled more than 550 students attending schools in all the Gaeltacht regions to develop and practise entrepreneurial skills this year, which will be invaluable as they progress in school and into their careers. I wish to thank Údarás na Gaeltachta as well as leaders in our partner schools and business mentors, for making these learning experiences available to students. Finally, congratulations to our Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí 2023 winners, Daedals Sports from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne an Daingean, Co. Kerry. The team will represent Ireland at the JA Europe Company of the Year Competition in Istanbul, Turkey next week where they will meet and compete with student entrepreneurs from 40 other countries around Europe. ”