Drogheda schools do exceptionally well also

The Wee County has a history of producing top class business people and this tradition seems set to continue if the results of the 2025 Louth Student Enterprise Awards, which were announced yesterday, are anything to go by. Projects by students from Scoil Uí Mhuirí in Dunleer, a village that has prodiuced some of the top business brains on the country, took the top prize in both the senior and junior categories. 

The Louth Student Enterprise Programme is a collaboration between Local Enterprise Office Louth and local secondary schools and more than 1,500 students from 19 schools across the county took part this year. They learned what it takes to develop a business idea, launch it, and bring it to market.

The programme culminates in the County Final — a much-anticipated opportunity for students to present their businesses to a panel of expert judges and compete for an award.

This year’s final saw an impressive 130 students, representing 51 imaginative enterprises, present their ideas and showcase their hard work and, as the Chair of the Judges Garrett Duffy said, it was truly inspiring to witness so many young people in Louth engaging so passionately with entrepreneurship and considering it as a real career path.  

The Junior and Intermediate categories were judged by Lavina McGahon of DkIT and Laura Kealey of LK Consultancy.  Garrett Duffy of DkIT, Fionnula Rogers of the Drogheda Digital Innovation Hub and Hubert Murphy of Drogheda Chamber judged the Senior category. 

A huge cheer erupted as Squeak Shield from Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer was named winner of the Senior category. Riley Finegan, supported by teacher Martina Farrell, developed an eco-friendly rodent deterrent using organza bags filled with natural herbs and spices. 

Oran Cassidy’s business, OCE Darts, (above) was named winner of the Intermediate category. Hailing from St. Joseph’s Secondary School Drogheda, and supported by teacher Nicole Kiernan, Oran’s business produces custom 3D printed darts camera mounts. 

The winner of the Junior category for 2025 was Darragh Grimes (below) of Darragh Grimes Drones, whose business produces superb drone-shot aerial video and photography with a special focus on agricultural content. This was another win for Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer, and Darragh was supported by teacher Martina Farrell. 

Sarah Mallon, Programme Manager at Local Enterprise Office Louth, praised the winning enterprises, saying: “We are so proud of the three category winners and will be cheering them on when they represent Louth at the National Student Enterprise Finals in May.” 

Lumen Lather from St. Joseph’s Secondary School Drogheda was announced runner up in the Senior category. Business founder Peter Connor, supported by teacher Nicole Kiernan, has created handmade, high quality self-care products for sensitive skin. 

While Abby Gray of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Drogheda, scooped the runner up award in the Junior category. Supported by teacher Nicole Kiernan, Abby’s business Bunches of Buttons sells creative button wall art pictures. 

While the judges deliberated, the finalists were inspired by ground breaking young entrepreneur David Kieran of Dundalk-based branding and digital media agency ZOMA. In addition to all of his other achievements, David was named Regional Winner at the National Enterprise Awards in 2024.  

Awards were presented to each winner by Niall Gallagher, Senior Enterprise Development Officer with Local Enterprise Office Louth. Winners received a beautiful award, created by master craftsman Joe Lawlor. The handcrafted wooden pieces were entitled “Reaching for the Stars”. 

Winners of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior categories, will go forward to represent Louth in the Student Enterprise Awards national final in Mullingar in May. 

Special congratulations also to teacher Nicole Kiernan, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Drogheda who received the Enterprise Educators Award. Winning this award is testament to her work and dedication in promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship in the school environment. 

There were also nine category award winners, the Innovation Award winner was First AI-d, a mobile phone First Aid app, created by Dearbhla McArdle, from St. Vincent’s Secondary school and supported by teacher Eimear McCreesh. 

The Best Social Media & Marketing Award was won by Gloss Co, a truly customisable lip gloss experience, created by Gabriella Hrynko, Cara Miele, Sophie Kelly Madigan and Kayla O’Hanlon, from Coláiste Chú Chulainn and supported by their teacher Declan Curran. 

Sustainable Spins, scooped the Sustainability Award for their versatile stands made from repurposed vinyl records. Set up by Nora Gilligan and Tegan Semple, and supported by their teacher Alma Carney, they represented Drogheda Grammar School.  

The team from St. Brigid’s School Dundalk won the Best Display Award for their business Marvellous Makers. Simon Cranny, Sean Griffin, Luke Kenny, Nicky Mackin-Brennan, Tadgh McConville, Jack McManus Todd, and Kevin Trainer, supported by their teacher Olive Byrne, created bespoke home decorations from wood and wool. 

Molly O’Callaghan’s creation Roll Seamróg won the Best Creative Business Award. Her product is a fun and unique boardgame for children to learn Irish and enhance their language skills. Supported by teacher Shane McDonnell, Molly represented St. Mary’s College Dundalk. 

The award for Best Creative Product was taken home by The Business Boys, who created Christmas decorations from upcycled and recycled farm products. The team was made up of Christopher Malone, Ethan McCrory and Otis Madden of Dundalk Grammar School, supported by their teachers Sara Rankin and Elizabeth McCabe. 

Inclusive Imaginations was the brainchild of Niamh McGrane, Catriona Daly, Allanah Hynes and Edith Murphy from Our Lady’s College Greenhills. Their product “True Colours” is a book that educates children about neurodiversity. They won the Special Award for Education, supported by their teacher Eimear McCreesh. 

The Special Award for Wellness went to Safe Haven with team members Erin Gray, Caitlin Clifford and Michelle Gartland Kerr, from St. Louis Secondary School Dundalk, supported by their teacher Roisin Mallon. They created aromatherapy roll-ons using infused essential oils. 

And finally, Ellen Roddy, Ava Boyle and Áine Gallagher won the Sales Award with their enterprise, Déanta Le Grá. Their wonderful cookbook is filled with family favourite recipes from the people and businesses of the Cooley peninsula. Supported by their teacher Martina O’Connor, they are pupils at Bush Post Primary. 

Sarah Mallon of Local Enterprise Office Louth concluded: “We are so proud of all the students that took part in this year’s awards and all that they have achieved. We wish our three fantastic winners all the best as they fly the flag for Louth at the National Student Enterprise Finals in May.

"Follow their journey and all the latest updates using #StudentEnterprise on social media or by visiting www.StudentEnterprise.ie. And remember, whether you’re a student starting out or an established business owner, your Local Enterprise Office is here to support you at every stage. To explore the full range of supports and services available, visit www.localenterprise.ie/Louth.”