‘Too hot to handle’ – student entrepeneurs to line out for Kilkenny at Croke Park enterprise finals
FIVE teenage entrepreneurs from two local schools will represent Kilkenny at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Croke Park tomorrow.
The Student Enterprise Programme is co-ordinated by the Local Enterprise Offices and involves over 26,000 students from 490 secondary schools every year.
In the Junior Category, the students representing Kilkenny at the National Finals in Croke Park are: Luca Harris and Pa Gibbs from Coláiste Éamann Rís with their business “Too Hot to Handle” (pictured above). They produce and sell coffee cup holders from cotton fabric which, prevent your hands from getting burned when you are holding take away teas and coffees.
In the Intermediate Category, Mark Ahern also from Coláiste Éamann Rís, will be representing the county in Croke Park. Mark has developed an innovative business G Sock Ltd – a sports sock that fits and secures a shin guard protector inside.
In the Senior Category of the competition, Kilkenny will be represented by Kilkenny College students Liam Foot and Tom Donald with their project, Tree Ring Coasters. At the county final the pair were the 1st prize category winners of a €1,000 prize sponsored by AIB and specially commissioned Jerpoint Glass piece. They were also presented with the Innovation Award, which is sponsored by Institute of Technology, Carlow.
Tree Ring Coasters offers Customisable Wooden Beverage Coasters which are made from discarded wood and are lacquered to make them water and stain proof.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s national final, Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny wished the students well, saying: “We have a very successful student enterprise programme here and last year Kilkenny had winners in all 3 categories with Lift Arm Assist, receiving first prize in the Intermediate category in 2018.”
She added: “Our national finalists are excellent ambassadors for the programme and we wish them the very best of luck in Croke Park.”
