Team from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in the Kerry Gaeltacht emerge as winners in Clár na gComhlachtaí Young Entrepreneurs Final

Soláthraí Spóirt, a sports-based project headed by a team from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne were awarded first place today in the National Final of Clár na gComhlachtaí, which was held in the Connemara Coast Hotel in Na Forbacha, Conamara, Co. Galway – the winning team will go on to represent Ireland in the Junior Achievement Europe Company of the Year Competition 2023 which will be held in Istanbul in July.

The judges were won over by the innovative sports socks designed by the winning team, which incorporated a custom-made pocket in which to hold a sports gumshield.

The Innovation Award was won by Anseo Anois, a project headed by a team from Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, Carna, Co. Galway, focusing on support and awareness of mental health issues facing young people. The Marketing and Finance award was awarded to Crainn Chruthaitheacha, an enterprise led by a team from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair in the Donegal Gaeltacht, which created unique kitchenware made from upcycled wood and metal implements.

Clár na gComhlachtaí is a hands-on business learning experience developed and delivered in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) with the support of business volunteers and teachers in second-level schools in the Gaeltacht.

More than 600 Transition Year pupils from Gaeltacht regions 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.

Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Tomás Ó Síocháin commented:  

“It was wonderful to see these enterprising young people at the Clár na gComhlachtaí National Final.  Their ambitious, imaginative projects indicate a bright future for entrepreneurship in the Gaeltacht. Údarás na Gaeltachta are proud to help promote student entrepreneurship and I am 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 team proceeding to the European Final in Istanbul.”

On behalf of Junior Achievement Ireland, the Chief Executive, Helen Rafferty commented:

“It was great to witness the hard work and ingenuity of these Gaeltacht students, which further underlines the benefits of the programme and the practical entrepreneurial experience it provides for young people throughout the Gaeltacht.  We wish to extend our thanks to Údarás na Gaeltachta for its ongoing support and to acknowledge the teachers and business mentors for their dedication in supporting and helping to develop the entrepreneurial talent of the participants. Congratulations to all the national finalists and well done to Soláthraí Spóirt from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne for emerging as winners of Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí 2023. The team will go on to represent Ireland at the JA Europe Company of the Year Competition 2023.”