Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada wins Donegal ETB’s 2025 Enterprise Day

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Arranmore Island, has won Donegal Education and Training Board’s 2025 Enterprise Day for post-primary students.

Second place went to Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, while Crana College in Buncrana came third. The event, which made a welcome return after a five-year break, took place in the Atlantic Technological University’s Donegal campus.

The aim of the day was to introduce the concept of entrepreneurship in a fun way to young people with the support of entrepreneurs and business people from across Donegal.

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Almost two hundred and thirty students from 16 schools across the county participated in the event from the Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town; Coláiste Eoghain, Buncrana; Coláiste na Carraige; Crana College, Buncrana; Deele College, Raphoe; Errigal College, Letterkenny; Finn Valley College, Stranorlar; Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Ballinamore; Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Arranmore Island; Magh Éne College, Bundoran; Moville Community College; Mulroy College, Milford; Pobalscoil na Rosann, Dungloe; St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny; St Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs and St Columba’s College, Stranorlar.

Marty O’Reilly, owner of O’Reilly Sports in Ballybofey, was the guest speaker at the event. The former Donegal football player turned entrepreneur, who was a member of the Donegal Senior Football panel that won the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final against Mayo, shared his entrepreneurial experience and valuable tips with the students.

MC for the day, Highland Radio’s Lee Gooch, kicked the event off with icebreakers and each team set about developing a product from the materials provided to them.

Teams were given a business mentor to guide them throughout the day. They were then judged in a Dragon’s Den-type setup. This included pitching their product to panels of business judges. The final three teams then pitched to all judges and all participants.

The judges had a difficult choice to make due to the high standard of work presented to them, but Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada eventually came out as the clear winners with an innovative anti-spiking drinking straw.

The Finn Valley College team developed a novel ‘Fluxi Cup’, designed to keep drinks hot or cold and including a rechargeable battery. The third-place winners, Crana College, designed a mental health support system, which they called S Cubed, designed by students for students.

Speaking about the Enterprise Day, Donegal ETB Director of Schools Dr Martin Gormley commented: “We’re really pleased in Donegal ETB to have brought back this wonderful event. It was fantastic to see so many schools joining us. The students found the day enjoyable, and hopefully, it will help to inspire some innovation and creativity among them. We are grateful to ATU for the use of their facilities. The keynote address from Marty O’Reilly also resonated with the student body, and all the employers contributed so well as business mentors.”

“The young students present entered into the spirit of the day, and all the teachers involved were very proud of their contribution,” he added.

Donegal ETB and the organising committee would like to extend their thanks to all students, teachers, Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre staff (who provided games during the day), Lee Gooch (MC), and ATU for their assistance with and support of the day.

Particular thanks are extended to the business mentors and judges who gave up their day to support the event, including judges Jimmy Stafford, Bank of Ireland; Toni Forrester, Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce; Maria Rushe, Rushe Fitness; Aisling Arnold, Arnolds Hotel; Jane McClean, Foróige, and Ian Harkin, Lottie Dolls.