Peat Moss Facemasks Claim National Crown
Boue Cosmetics, a fledgling company from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Co. Donegal was acclaimed as the winner of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí 2018 National Final held in Galway today (15 March 2018).
With more than 750 Transition Year students taking part in Gaeltacht regions in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath & Waterford, eight teams were ultimately selected to proceed to the national final. The standards set by these regional winners means the winner of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí can be regarded as particularly astute entrepreneurs.
“The support of Údarás na Gaeltachta has enabled more than 750 senior cycle students to take part in meaningful real-to-life entrepreneurial experiences across the Gaeltacht areas through Clár na gComhlachtaí this year."
Helen Raftery, CEO of Junior Achievement Ireland
Boue Cosmetics is comprised of Grace Ní Chonchúir, Kate Ní Chnáimhsí, Aifric Nic Niallais, Clionagh Nic Suibhne, Molly Nic Pháidín and Caitlin James. The company produces face masks made from peat moss and claim to be the first face mask made from peat moss for the beauty market. It also contains a unique mix of Aloe Vera, Jasmine Tea and Eucalyptus Oil scientifically proven to benefit your skin.
Boue Cosmetics was mentored by local business volunteer Evelyn Cagney, Pet Lamb Design and Criostóir Mac Suibhne from Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Clár na gComhlachtaí is developed and delivered by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI). Students create, operate and manage their own business as they move from the idea generation stage, to finance, production, marketing, sales right through to going to market. Local business volunteers, executives from Údarás na Gaeltachta and JAI mentored the students alongside their teachers.
Emerging from very competitive regional finals in Kerry, Mayo, Galway and Donegal, teams from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis, Co. Kerry, Coláiste Chroí Mhuire An Spidéal, Co. Galway, Gaelcholáiste Chomáin, Ros Dumhach, Co. Mayo; Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr, Oileáin Árann, Co. Galway; Preab Teo., Gaelcholáiste Chomáin, Ros Dumhach, Co. Mayo, DCM, Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, An Clochán, Leifear, Co. Donegal also represented their regions with great distinction at the national final. All participating students enjoyed a communications workshop with Darach Ó Tuairisg of Fíbín on the eve of the final, with each team exhibiting at a trade stand, displaying their business acumen during the judges’ interview and presenting their business ideas on stage in front of a public audience on the day of the final.
The judging panel comprising Sinéad Ní Fhatharta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Ruairí Noone, Entrepreneur was very impressed with the performance of all the students across each element of the competition however Boue Cosmetics just edged Stets and Steps from Gairmscoil Chú Uladh and Preab Ltd. from Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr to come out on top based on the quality of their innovative business idea and overall performance on the day.
Europe-wide research shows students who participate in entrepreneurial education activities such as Clár na gComhlachtaí are more likely to start their own business, are at lower risk of being unemployed, and are more often in steady employment into adulthood. Clár na gComhlachtaí aids in the development of creativity, initiative, financial literacy, teamwork, communication skills, understanding of risk and a sense of responsibility.
Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, commented: “It was inspiring to witness such enterprising young people at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí 2018. 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 in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland and I’m sure we will be seeing more of these young entrepreneurs in the future. Special congratulations to our winning team from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair for your dedication and entrepreneurial flare. I am confident that these efforts will inspire new Gaeltacht enterprises in the future.”
Helen Raftery, CEO of Junior Achievement Ireland added: “The support of Údarás na Gaeltachta has enabled more than 750 senior cycle students to take part in meaningful real-to-life entrepreneurial experiences across the Gaeltacht areas through Clár na gComhlachtaí this year. We wish to extend a special thank you to teachers and business mentors for their dedication in supporting and developing the entrepreneurial talent of these students who have also gained confidence in many transversal skills such as team-working, negotiation and public speaking – skills which will be invaluable as they progress into the world of work. Congratulations to all the teams that won the right to compete at the regional and national finals and to Boue Cosmetics, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair for emerging as winners of Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí 2018.”