Photo: Luke McGrath, Daniel Collins and Peter Kavanagh of Coláiste Eoin, Hacketstown with Yvonne O'Neill (national co-ordinator for the Student Enterprise Programme), Terri Smith (Local Enterprise Offices Centre of Excellence) and Gareth Evans (chair of the Local Enterprise Offices' Enterprise Education Committee)
Huge congratulations to Transition Year students Peter Kavanagh, Daniel Collins and Luke McGrath from Coláiste Eoin who recently represented both the school and County Carlow at the National Final of the Student Enterprise Awards with their innovative business idea, Timber Tote.
The students designed and created a handcrafted mobile timber tote made from recycled wood, aimed at making it easier to transport firewood and solid fuel around the home. Their product combined practical design with sustainability and impressed judges at county level as part of the National Student Enterprise Programme.
Following their success in the county final, the team travelled to Mullingar, Co Westmeath where they showcased their business at national level alongside some of the top student enterprises from across the country.
In preparation for the finals, the students worked hard refining both their product and business presentation and represented Coláiste Eoin exceptionally well throughout the competition.
Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development and Enterprise with Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, praised the students’ work, describing the product as “innovative, environmentally conscious and responding to a real need in the home.”
The Student Enterprise Programme gives students valuable experience in areas such as product development, marketing, sales and financial management while also building confidence, teamwork and communication skills.
Everyone in Coláiste Eoin is extremely proud of Peter, Daniel and Luke for their hard work, creativity and outstanding representation of the school on the national stage.