Innovation takes centre stage at Cavan Student Enterprise Awards
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ABOVE: All of the category winners and runners up at this year’s Cavan Student Enterprise Awards are pictured with invited guests, elected representatives and guest speakers Emer McAveety and John Hyland. LEFT: Pictured at the Cavan Student Enterprise Awards were (from left) Colm McCormick, teacher, Virginia College; Paddy Connaughton, Director of Services, Cavan County Council; Eoin Doyle, Chief Executive, Cavan County Council; Cllr John Paul Feeley, Cathaoirleach Cavan County Council; Sean Duffy, Duffy Designs, Virginia College; Cllr Winston Bennett and Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cavan. PHOTOS: Sheila Rooney SHEILA MARIE ROONEYImage 2 of 3
Pictured at the Cavan Student Enterprise Awards were (from left) Colm McCormick, teacher, Virginia College; Paddy Connaughton, Director of Services, Cavan County Council; Eoin Doyle, Chief Executive, Cavan County Council; Cllr John Paul Feeley, Cathaoirleach Cavan County Council; Sean Duffy, Duffy Designs, Virginia College; Cllr Winston Bennett and Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cavan. PHOTOS: Sheila Rooney SHEILA MARIE ROONEYImage 3 of 3
Natalie Kiernan, teacher; Cllr John Paul Feeley, Cathaoirleach, Cavan County Council; Evyie Mahood, Wood Creations, Royal School Cavan; Eoin Doyle, Chief Executive, Cavan County Council and Dale Robertson, teacher, Royal School Cavan. SHEILA MARIE ROONEYThe Slieve Russell Hotel played host to a major showcase of youthful innovation this week as more than 500 students from nine schools participated in the annual Cavan Student Enterprise programme, with 142 young entrepreneurs presenting their businesses at the county final.
This year’s event highlighted the growing strengths of young people in digital enterprise, sustainability-focused business ideas, and hands‑on creativity - all inspired by Cavan’s strong enterprise culture. It highlighted the growing strength of enterprise in local schools, with organisers noting that the standard of entries continues to rise each year. Students presented a diverse range of creative products and services, demonstrating increasing levels of skill, research and commercial awareness.
The ceremony was officially opened by Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley, who commended the initiative for fostering entrepreneurship among young people throughout the county. He praised the students for their hard work and the teachers for supporting them through the enterprise process. He commented that the future for county Cavan is very bright given the strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative projects that were on view at the awards.
Inspirational talks
Attendees also heard from guest speakers John Hyland, founder of Clubspot, and Emer McAveety, founder of Laochra Academy, both of whom have availed of support from the Local Enterprise Office Cavan, shared insights into their personal business journeys. Their messages focused on resilience, innovation and taking opportunities - key themes resonating strongly with the students.
Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise, congratulated all those involved, noting the creativity and dedication evident across the entries, “Each student here has displayed remarkable entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “The standard rises every year, and this year’s projects reflect the talent and ambition present in our schools.”
Two stand-out businesses claimed top honours on the day with the Senior Category Winner going to ‘Duffy Designs’ from Virginia College, while the Junior Category Winner was ‘Wood Creations’ from the Royal School Cavan. Both groups impressed judges with the quality of their products, strong business planning, and clear potential for growth.
A number of other entries won special awards for Sustainability, Digital Marketing and Innovation among others.
The Student Enterprise Programme continues to be one of the largest initiatives of its kind in the country, encouraging young people to develop business ideas, problem‑solving skills and real‑world experience.
More pictures of the students’ projects in this week's Anglo-Celt newspaper.