Mayo students shine in Foróige entrepreneur finals

Mayo students showcased their entrepreneurial spirit at the Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Programme Finals in Dublin today. The national final, held at Richmond Barracks, featured the top eight young entrepreneurs in the ‘Best Business’ category vying for the title of Foróige NFTE ‘Youth Entrepreneur of the Year 2024’.

Among the talented participants were Felicia Bieber, Ciara Walsh, and John Conway, all aged 16, from Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet. They presented their locally based Rockenga frame production company, which utilized rocks and sea shells from the Wild Atlantic Way to create unique designs wrapped in wooden frames.

Another successful Mayo team, Sustainable Sparks, comprised of Dylan Cummins, Charlotte Sherwin, Joshua Lally, and Zack Stone, also aged 16, from Scoil Mhuire Agus Padraig, Swinford, reached the ‘Innovation Category’ final with their business of making fire pits from recycled washing machine drums.

The event highlighted the hard work and dedication of each young entrepreneur who completed the Foróige NFTE Programme, which involves 40 hours of learning and interactive sessions to develop a business idea, product/service, and business plan.

Odhrán O’Mahony, Chairperson of Foróige, emphasized the life-changing impact of the NFTE programme, stating that it ignites a spark in young people that changes their perception of themselves and their capabilities.

In the end, Stick It by Annamai Condon and Clodagh Desmond, both aged 16, from Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, emerged as the overall winners of the Foróige NFTE ‘Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2024’, after competing against thousands of young entrepreneurs from across Ireland.