Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Fingal has announced that Wild Cards from Mount Sackville Secondary School (Chapelizod) will represent the county at this year's Student Enterprise Programme National Final on Thursday, 8th May at the Mullingar Park Hotel.
Thursday 13th March 2025; Overall Winner Senior Category School: Mount Sackville, Emily O’Donnell, Aaliyah Heeze and Sarah Forbes, Project Team Name: Wild Cards at the Student Enterprise Awards, Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown, Dublin. Picture credit: Damien Eagers / Coalesce
Following an exciting Fingal County Final on 13th March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, these students stood out among over 1,300 participants from 21 schools, showcasing exceptional creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. A total of 15 schools competed in the county final, with the best young entrepreneurs now advancing to the prestigious national stage.
The Student Enterprise Programme, delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, is Ireland’s largest student entrepreneurship initiative, empowering over 26,000 students each year to create, develop, and market their own businesses.
In the Junior Category, the students representing Fingal at the National Final are Rachel Dore and Isla Tanner, and Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, with their project, Rachel’s and Isla’s Self Care, an enterprise focussing on self-care baskets.
In the Intermediate Category, Maida-Fatima Riaz, Angelin Bijoye and Abi Solai from Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School, Dublin 15, will showcase their enterprise, Ecochew, which focuses on an innovative solution for chewing gum disposal, ensuring a cleaner environment.
In the Senior Category, Emily O’Donnell, Aaliyah Heeze and Sarah Forbes from Mount Sackville Secondary School, Castleknock, secured their place with Wild Cards, an innovative business centred on handmade, ecofriendly cards.
The winning teams will now compete against student businesses from across Ireland, presenting their ventures to a panel of judges and vying for national recognition.
Speaking at the county final, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Brian McDonagh, praised the students' creativity and ambition, saying, "The energy and enthusiasm in this room today is incredible. You are the future innovators, business leaders, and problem solvers. Whether or not you choose to start your own business in the future, the lessons you’ve learned—about product development, sales, marketing, finance, resilience, teamwork, and mindset—will serve you well in any career path you take. These experiences build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a drive for success, all of which will be assets as you move forward in life."
In her address to the audience, AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, commended the initiative: “The creativity and innovation on display here today are truly inspiring. Every student who took part has demonstrated passion, hard work, and a willingness to push boundaries. The businesses and ideas showcased reflect not only great ingenuity but also a real sense of enterprise. I want to commend all participants for their efforts and especially thank the teachers who have played such a vital role in mentoring and encouraging these young entrepreneurs. Your support is instrumental in driving a culture of enterprise in Fingal.”
Oisín Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise in Fingal, highlighted the real-world experience gained through the programme:“ This initiative equips students with essential business skills—problem-solving, marketing, finance, and teamwork. They’re not just learning entrepreneurship; they’re gaining confidence in their ability to create and lead.’’
Sharon Rossignuolo, Fingal Student Enterprise Coordinator, acknowledged the hard work behind the success: “Since September, students have dedicated themselves to developing their businesses, running market days, and refining their strategies. The competition was tough, but our winning teams have truly excelled, and we’re excited to see them represent Fingal at the National Final.”
The Fingal County Final was hosted by TV personality Síomha Ní Ruairc, with entertainment by renowned DJ Marty Guilfoyle, adding to the lively atmosphere.
This year’s competition in Fingal, which engaged 1,300 students, is proudly supported by Blanchardstown Centre, One4All, and SimTech Aviation, whose contributions to the prize fund continue to encourage young entrepreneurs to strive for entrepreneurial success.
Fingal’s finalists now set their sights on the National Final in May, where they will compete to be named Ireland’s next top young entrepreneurs.
Names of participating schools in Fingal Final Student Enterprise Programme:
Ardgillan Community College
Coláiste Choilm
Coláiste Ghlór Na Mara, Balbriggan
Coolmine Community School
Balbriggan Community College
Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School
Hartstown Community School
Loreto College, Swords
Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan
Luttrellstown Community College
Mount Sackville Secondary School
St. Fintan's High School
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Rush
St. Mary's Secondary School, Baldoyle
Swords Community College
Names of Winning Enterprises:
Junior Category Results (Winner)
- School: Loreto Balbriggan
- Teachers: Fiona Synnott/ Maura Lynch
- Project Team Name: Rachel & Isla’s Self Care
-------------------------------------------------------
Junior Highly Commended: Loreto Balbriggan (Magical Christmas Keys)
Intermediate Category Results (Winner)
- School: Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School
- Teachers: Aisling Sammon/Shauna Farrell
- Project Team Name: EcoChew
---------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate Highly Commended 1: Loreto Balbriggan (Jewelry Cooliez)
Intermediate Highly Commended 2: Coláiste Choilm (The Woodcrafters)
Senior Category Results (Winner)
- School: Mount Sackville Secondary School
- Teacher: Olga Owens, Sarah Conlon
- Project Team Name: Wild Cards
---------------------------------------------------------
Senior Highly Commended 1: Loretto Secondary School, Balbriggan (Sprout & Leaf)
Senior Highly Commended 2: Swords Community College (Ihold)
List of All Winning Students/Schools for All Categories of Prizes:
Innovation Award Winner
- School: Saint Fintan’s High School
- Teacher: Ciara Browne
- Project Team Name: Surface Spikes
Social Media Award Winner
- School: Mount Sackville Secondary School
- Teacher: Olga Owens/ Sarah Conlon
- Project Team Name: Gloss & Glow
Best Display Award Winner
- School: Luttrellstown Community College
- Teachers: Deirdre Coakley/Ciara Harrington
- Project Team Name: Blooming Bouquets
Best Display Award Junior and Intermediate
- School: St. Fintan’s High School
- Teacher: Ciara Browne
- Project Team Name: Hustle and Hold
Sustainability Award Senior
- School: St. Fintan’s High School
- Teacher: Ciara Browne
- Project Team Name: Saw Duster Studios
Sustainability Award Junior and Intermediate
- School: Mount Sackville Secondary School
- Teachers: Olga Owens/ Sarah Conlon
- Project Team Name: Coral Cove Designs
Entrepreneurial Educator of The Year Award
- School: Balbriggan Community College
- Teacher: Melanie Markham
Enterprising School Spirit Award
- School: St. Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle
- Teacher: James Fanning
Winners of the Simtech Aviation Vouchers
List of Teachers and Students:
- St Fintan's High School
- Teacher: Ciara Browne
- Student: Cillian Morton
- Loreto College, Swords
- Teacher: Nicola Bergin
- Student: Alisa Logatskaia
- St Fintan's High School
- Teacher: Ciara Browne
- Student: Adam Goodwin
- Ardgillan Community College
- Teacher: Emer O'Farrell
- Student: Paige Dunne
- Coláiste Choilm, Swords
- Teacher: Katie Shiels
- Student: Finn Corbett
Highly Commended:
Junior Category
- School: Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan
- Project Team Name: Magical Christmas Keys
Overall Winner Junior Category
- School: Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan
- Project Team Name: Rachel & Isla's Self Care
Highly Commended Intermediate Category (1)
- School: Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan
- Project Team Name: Jewelry Cooliez
Highly Commended Intermediate Category (2)
- School: Coláiste Choilm
- Project Team Name: The Woodcrafters
Overall Winner Intermediate Category
- School: Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School
- Project Team Name: EcoChew
Highly Commended Senior Category (1)
- School: Loretto Secondary School, Balbriggan
- Project Team Name: Sprout & Leaf
Highly Commended Senior Category (2)
- School: Swords Community College
- Project Team Name: Ihold
Overall Winner Senior Category
- School: Mount Sackville Secondary School
- Project Team Name: Wild Cards
About the Student Enterprise Programme:
The Student Enterprise Programme is a national initiative, run by the network of Local Enterprise Offices across the country, and is the largest student enterprise competition in Ireland, with over 26,000 students participating annually. The Fingal Student Enterprise Programme, run by the Local Enterprise Office Fingal, continues to inspire and develop the next generation of business leaders, equipping them with essential entrepreneurial skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.
Website: www.studententerprise.ie / #studententerprise / Twitter: @StudentEntProg / Facebook: /studententerpriseprogramme / Instagram: /studententerpriseprogramme
